U.S. patent application number 12/495777 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for apparatus for hanging a resealable bag.
Invention is credited to Michael Herbert Paulse.
Application Number | 20110052101 12/495777 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43625037 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110052101 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Paulse; Michael Herbert |
March 3, 2011 |
APPARATUS FOR HANGING A RESEALABLE BAG
Abstract
A package adapted to be supported by a rod at any available
location along the rod without requiring the removal of other
packages supported on the rod. The package may comprise a
resealable storage bag which cooperates with a hanger capable of
being readily attached to the storage bag. When the package is
assembled, the storage bag is suspended from the hanger and the
head of the hanger projects upwardly above a top edge of the
storage bag. The upper end of the head has an opening adapted to
engage the rod in hooking fashion. The hanger also has a handle
that extends laterally from the head that may be used to carry the
said package.
Inventors: |
Paulse; Michael Herbert;
(Vancouver, CA) |
Family ID: |
43625037 |
Appl. No.: |
12/495777 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61133342 |
Jun 30, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2508 20130101;
B65D 33/2591 20130101; B65D 33/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/23 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/14 20060101
B65D033/14 |
Claims
1. A hanger for supporting a resealable bag that enables individual
resealable bags to be installed on or removed from a support rod
without requiring sequential installation or removal of other bags
supported on the rod, the hanger comprising: a. a hanger body
comprising a hook dimensioned to receive the support rod and
provisions for attaching the bag to the hanger body, and; b. a
handle projecting horizontally from the hook and above the
provisions for attachment.
2. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein the hook is configured to
be rotatable about the vertical axis when engaged with a support
rod.
3. A hanger according to claim 1 comprising label section
projecting from the handle section.
4. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein the provisions for
attaching the bag to the hanger body comprise members that may
engage with one or more apertures in the bag.
5. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein the provisions for
attaching the bag to the hanger body comprise members capable of
forming and engaging with one or more apertures in the bag.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present U.S. patent application claims priority from
earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61-133342 filed Jun. 30, 2008 and entitled "Adapter Hanger for
Resealable Storage Bag" which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to storage or
packaging systems using resealable bags and, more particularly, to
improved apparatus and methods for supporting such bags on a
support rod of a storage or display rack, without having to first
remove other bags from the support rod.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Many different kinds of plastic storage bags are presently
available for storing all kinds of goods to protect the goods from
deterioration or contamination, or just as a means of packaging
various types of products. Among the more useful of plastic bags
for storing goods are those that are equipped with resealable
closures, which enable secure closure and re-use of the bag. An
example of a typical resealable storage bag is illustrated in FIG.
2B. The bag is sealed by moving the slider in one direction and
unsealed by moving the slider in the opposite direction. Another
example of a typical resealable storage bag is illustrated in FIG.
2A. The bag is sealed by moving a finger and thumb to interlock two
closure profiles and unsealed by pulling apart the sidewalls of the
bag to separate the closure profiles.
[0006] One disadvantage of the conventional resealable storage bag
is that there is no convenient way to hang the bag, along with
other similar bags, in an organized fashion. U.S. Pat. No.
5,908,245 issued to Bost, et al., discloses a resealable bag having
a centrally-positioned tab attached to the upper part of the bag
with a hole provided through the tab for hanging the bag on an open
ended rod. Published U.S. patent application Ser. No.
US2003/0210836 issued to Strand, discloses a resealable bag with a
tab extension from the slider that includes a hole in the tab, also
for hanging the bag on an open ended rod. The requirement for an
open ended rod is a disadvantage because a bag having a hole as the
only means for hanging the bag requires the removal of other bags
that may be hung on the same support rod in order to access the bag
of interest. Removal of several or many such storage bags,
particularly if they must be removed and replaced in a specific
sequential order, is laborious and time-consuming. Moreover, a rod
supported only at one end cannot support as much weight as a rod
supported at both ends.
[0007] Other solutions in the prior art include U.S. Pat. No.
4,000,768 issued to Siegel and U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,068 issued to
Suominen, both of which provide a centrally located hook fixed to
the upper part of the resealable bag. These solutions provide a
hook for hanging on a rod supported at both ends, an improvement
over bags that lack such a hook.
[0008] Another solution in the prior art includes U.S. Pat. No.
7,004,629 to Strader et al. that modifies the closure slider of a
resealable bag to provide a support hook. This solution provides a
hook that may be attached only to bags containing items needing
hanging, an improvement over bags with fixed hooks. However, the
fact that the bag with the modified slider needs to be unsealed to
hang level with a balanced load reduces the benefit of using a
resealable bag.
[0009] There remains a need for cost effective and practical ways
to store items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly there is disclosed a hanger for supporting
individual resealable storage bags on a support rod. A resealable
storage bag may be constructed or modified to facilitate attachment
to a support hanger configured to be attached to the bag. When
attached to the bag, the support hanger may extend upward from an
upper portion of the storage bag. The support bag may be
dimensioned to receive the support rod. The resealable bag modified
with the hanger may be hooked over the support rod at any available
location along the support rod without requiring the removal of
other storage bags supported on the support rod, and be rotated on
the support rod to show the front or back faces of the resealable
bag and hanger. In an alternate embodiment, the hanger is attached
to a resealable bag having preformed attachment apertures.
[0011] Further aspects of the invention and feature of example
embodiments are described below and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts
which will be exemplified in a construction hereinafter set
forth.
[0013] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front facing orthogonal view illustrating a
resealable storage bag cooperating with a hanger according to one
illustrative embodiment of the present invention having a support
hook adapted for hanging the storage bag on a support rod, which
may be supported at both of its ends, without having to remove any
other storage bag from the rod;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of a
template hanger, one aspect of the present invention, and a bag
shown in phantom as though it were attached;
[0016] FIG. 1C illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of an
alternative embodiment the template hanger shown in FIG. 1B
supported on a rod, and a bag attached to the hanger;
[0017] FIG. 1D illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of an
alternative embodiment the template hanger shown in FIG. 1B, and a
bag shown in phantom as though it were attached;
[0018] FIG. 1E illustrates a partially cut away front facing
orthogonal view of the resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 2C
attached to the tabbed hanger shown in FIG. 4A;
[0019] FIG. 2A illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of a thin
film resealable storage bag, having two cooperating closure strips
at its upper end, for use with one illustrative embodiment of the
hanger of the present invention. (The front facing sidewall 11 is
shown transparent.);
[0020] FIG. 2B illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of an
alternative format of a thin film resealable storage bag, having a
slider that cooperates with two closure strips at its upper end,
for use with one illustrative embodiment of the hanger of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2C illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
thin film resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 2A having an
additional two apertures oppositely spaced from the vertical center
of the storage bag, for use with one alternative embodiment of the
hanger of the present invention. (The front facing sidewall 11 is
shown transparent.);
[0022] FIG. 2D illustrates a planar front view of a resealable
storage bag that includes features common to the resealable storage
bag shown in FIG. 2A and the resealable storage bag shown in FIG.
2B;
[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates a planar front view of the resealable
storage bag shown in FIG. 2A;
[0024] FIG. 3B illustrates a planar front view of the resealable
storage bag shown in FIG. 2B;
[0025] FIG. 3C illustrates a planar front view of resealable
storage bag shown in FIG. 2C;
[0026] FIG. 3D illustrates a planar front view of the resealable
storage bag shown in FIG. 3A having an additional circular aperture
horizontally centered at its upper end;
[0027] FIG. 3E illustrates a planar front view of the resealable
storage bag shown in FIG. 3A having an additional rounded-corner
rectangular aperture horizontally centered at its upper end;
[0028] FIG. 3F illustrates a planar front view of the resealable
storage bag shown in FIG. 3E having additional apertures at its
upper end;
[0029] FIG. 4A illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
tabbed hanger, an alternative embodiment of the hanger according to
one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, for use with
the storage bag shown in FIG. 3C;
[0030] FIG. 4B illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
articulated hanger, an alternative embodiment of the hanger
according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention,
partially attached to the storage bag shown in FIG. 3B;
[0031] FIG. 4C illustrates a planar front view of the tabbed hanger
shown in FIG. 4A;
[0032] FIG. 4D illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
one-tab hanger, an alternative embodiment of the hanger according
to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention for use
with the storage bag shown in FIG. 3D;
[0033] FIG. 4E illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
pinned hanger, an alternative embodiment of the hanger according to
one illustrative embodiment of the present invention for use with
the storage bag shown in FIG. 3E;
[0034] FIG. 4F illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
arrowhead hanger, an alternative embodiment of the hanger according
to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention for use
with the storage bag shown in FIG. 3A;
[0035] FIG. 4G illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
clasp hanger, an alternative embodiment of the hanger according to
one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, for use with
the storage bag shown in FIG. 3A, shown open;
[0036] FIG. 4H illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
clasp hanger shown in FIG. 4G, shown closed;
[0037] FIG. 4I illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
3-tab hanger, an alternative embodiment of the hanger according to
one illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 4J illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
arrowhead-tab hanger, an alternative embodiment of the hanger
according to one illustrative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a partially cut away front facing
orthogonal view of the resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 2C
attached to the tabbed hanger shown in FIG. 4A hanging from a
support rod;
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 2C being attached to the
tabbed hanger shown in FIG. 4A;
[0041] FIG. 7A illustrates a planar front view of the template
hanger that embodies aspects common to alternative embodiments of
the hanger of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 7B illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
template hanger disposed as it may be when attached to a storage
bag (not shown) and supported on a support rod;
[0043] FIG. 7C illustrates a planar front view of the articulated
hanger shown in FIG. 4B;
[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates a partially cut away front facing
orthogonal view of the resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 3A
being attached to the arrowhead hanger shown in FIG. 4F;
[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 3E being attached to the
pinned hanger shown in FIG. 4E;
[0046] FIG. 10 illustrates a partially cut away front facing
orthogonal view of the resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 3D
attached to the one-tab hanger shown in FIG. 4D;
[0047] FIG. 11 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of an the
template hanger shown in FIG. 7A disposed on a support rod at
limiting angular orientation M and at limiting angular orientation
N and the arc between the two orientations;
[0048] FIG. 12 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of a
hinged-hanger, one of the two main parts of the articulated hanger
shown in FIG. 4B, and the living hinge that connects the
hinged-hanger to the second main part;
[0049] FIG. 13 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
articulated hanger shown in FIG. 4B disposed open;
[0050] FIG. 14 illustrates an orthogonal view of the distal end of
the rotating arm of the hanger shown in FIG. 4B;
[0051] FIG. 15 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
articulated hanger shown in FIG. 4B disposed closed and with
rotating flaps disposed closed;
[0052] FIG. 16 illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
articulated hanger shown in FIG. 4B disposed closed with rotating
flaps disposed open;
[0053] FIG. 17 illustrates a planar back view of the articulated
hanger shown in FIG. 4B disposed closed with hinged flaps disposed
substantially equally open;
[0054] FIG. 18 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 3B attached to the hanger
shown in FIG. 4B and open to expose the interior of the bag;
[0055] FIG. 19 illustrates a planar back view of the clasp hanger
shown in FIG. 4G disposed closed;
[0056] FIG. 20 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of a
hanger disposed obliquely on a support rod spaced from a rear wall
a distance less than half of the width of the hanger's attached
resealable storage bag;
[0057] FIG. 21 illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 3A being attached to the clasp
hanger shown in FIG. 4G;
[0058] FIG. 22 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 3A attached to the clasp
hanger shown in FIG. 4G and open to expose its interior;
[0059] FIG. 23 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 2C attached to the hanger
shown in FIG. 4A and open to expose its interior;
[0060] FIG. 24 illustrates a back facing orthogonal view of the
resealable storage bag shown in FIG. 2A attached to the zip hanger
(The back facing sidewall 12 is shown transparent.);
[0061] FIG. 25 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
preferred embodiment of a support rod assembled, for use with a
pegboard or slatwall;
[0062] FIG. 26 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of the
preferred embodiment of a support rod exploded, for use with a
pegboard or slatwall;
[0063] FIG. 27 illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of an
alternative embodiment of the articulated hanger shown in FIG. 4B
formed as one piece.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0064] This invention relates to resealable storage bags suitable
for being supported by hangers which hold the storage bag and its
contents on a supporting rod. The supporting rod may be round in
cross-section such as found in a display rack typically but not
exclusively within a retail setting, in closets as a rod from which
clothing hangers are supported, as the larger transverse wire of
wire shelving, and as a hook of a pegboard storage system. The rod
may have other shapes in alternative embodiments. Another aspect of
the invention relates to a thin film plastic storage bag having a
closure fastening device including two closure profiles operable
for being interlocked continuously over a predetermined length.
[0065] Generally, storage bags having closure devices are well
known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,345 to Scheibner is an
example of the type of storage bag which can be used with the
present invention, and the disclosure of this patent is
incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,194 to
Herrington et al. is another example of the type of storage bag
which can be used with the present invention, and the disclosure of
this patent is incorporated herein by reference.
[0066] In carrying the invention into effect, several embodiments
have been selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings
and for description in this specification, reference being had to
FIGS. 1, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F,
4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4I, 4J, 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 7C, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and
27.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown a template hanger 25
that schematically illustrates one aspect of the present invention.
The template hanger 25 includes a mechanism (not shown) for
attachment to a storage bag. The specifics of attachment varies
from bag to bag depending on the features of the given bag. The
specifics of attachment are embodied as specific attachment
assemblies disposed at attachment sites. The specific attachment
assemblies in combination with any or all of the features of the
template hanger 25 may define some of the various embodiments of
the present invention including the preferred embodiment and the
alternative embodiments disclosed below. Any hanger in the set of
embodiments of the present invention is defined as a valid hanger.
The template hanger 25 has many aspects of a hanger of the present
invention that may be included in the various embodiments that
realize a valid hanger.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 2C, a resealable bag is shown generally at
8C. The resealable bag 8C has a header 114 above a closure device
16 and a vertical center line C10. The storage bag 8C may have
attachment apertures 19, 22 disposed in the header 114, and have
sides 14, 15.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 2B, another type of a resealable bag is
shown generally at 508. The resealable bag 508 has a closure device
516 and a closure slider 615 at the top edges 519, 520, and a
vertical centerline C510 (see FIG. 3B). The bag 508 may have
attachment apertures 19A, 22A disposed below the closure device 516
and near the side edges 514, 515 of the bag.
[0070] Variations of the resealable bag 508 and the resealable bag
8 attach to valid hangers of the present invention. Referring to
FIG. 2D, shown generally at 88 is a resealable bag representing the
common features of both the storage bag 8 and the bag 508 that
relate to the features of the template hanger 25. The resealable
bag 88 has a closure device 16A (not shown), a vertical center-line
C710, a front face, a back face, sides 814, 815 and attachment
apertures 19B, 22B (not shown). Closure devices and attachment
apertures are defined for the storage bag 8 and the bag 508 but at
different locations, so that while present on bag 88 closure
devices and attachment apertures are not shown.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 1B, the template hanger 25 includes a
hanger body 26A having a hook 23A and attachment sites 85, 87, and
a holding section 72. The attachment sites 85, 87 approximately
locate where any two specific attachment assemblies of a valid
hanger may be disposed. Generic references to two attachment
assemblies from the set of possible specific attachment assemblies
are given as attachment assembly 85A, and as attachment assembly
87A. The hanger body 26A may attach with attachment assemblies 85A,
87A (not shown) disposed at the attachment sites 85, 87 to the
suspended resealable bag 88 (shown in phantom).
[0072] A valid hanger may have two or more attachment sites
locating two or more attachment assemblies.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 1C, the hook 23A allows the suspended
resealable bag 88 to be hung from a support rod 7 or bracket or
mounted hook. The support rod 7 may have a substantially circular
cross-section, and a center-line C7. The template hanger 25 allows
the storage bag 88 to be installed on or removed from the support
rod 7 without sequential installation or removal of other bags
supported on the rod. The hook 23A is configured to allow the
template hanger 25 to hang from the support rod 7 at a load-contact
point P32 defined on the template hanger 25. When an evenly
distributed moderate load is supported in the storage bag 88
attached to the template hanger 25 hanging from the support rod 7 a
vertical load axis A32 is defined to pass through the load-contact
point P32. The template hanger 25 suspending the storage bag 88
with a load may be rotated on the support rod 7 to travel roughly
about the load axis A32 to expose the bag's 88 front face or back
face. The angle of rotation relative to the center-line C7 of the
support rod 7 is between 30 degrees and 150 degrees.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 1D, the holding section 72 is disposed
horizontally from the hook 23A. The holding section 72 has a
minimum length and width to receive a person's hand comfortably and
conveniently in gripping or holding fashion to facilitate carrying
the suspended bag 88. The holding section 72 may be textured with
bumps 76 (see FIG. 1B) to improve grip friction. The holding
section 72 may include a handle aperture 75 to improve holding by a
hand. The holding section 72 may extend horizontally beyond the
side edge 15 of the suspended bag 88.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 1D, the template hanger 25 may include a
label section 77. The label section 77 may allow an identifier or a
label having an identifier to be received for display. The label
section 77 may be disposed horizontally from the handle, may extend
vertically below the bottom 427 of the holding section 72 and may
extend below the top 88A of the suspended bag 88. Vertical
extension allows any displayed identifiers to be positioned apart
from the holding section 72 to be kept clean of hand oils and
dirt.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 1B, the template hanger 25 is sized to
attach to a particular horizontal width of bag 88. The first
attachment site 85 is vertically collinear or forward of the
load-contact point P32. The second attachment site 87 is behind the
first attachment site 85 and vertically collinear or rearward of
the load-contact point P32. When the template hanger 25 is attached
to the storage bag 88 the load-contact point P32 is collinear with
the vertical center-line C710 of the storage bag 88.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 1B, the attachment assemblies 85A, 87A
(not shown) disposed at attachment sites 85, 87 to attach a valid
hanger to the suspended resealable bag 88 (see FIG. 2C) may
co-operate with one or more attachment apertures 19B, 22B disposed
on the storage bag 88. The attachment apertures 19B, 22B may be
preformed on the storage bag 88. The attachment apertures 19B, 22B
may be formed by the hanger body 26A during the attachment process.
Attachment deformations (not shown) may result from attachment
apertures incompletely formed by the attachment process.
[0078] The attachment apertures 19B, 22B co-operate with the
attachment assemblies 85A, 87A to align the load-contact point P32
collinear with the vertical center-line C710 of the attached bag
88. The attachment apertures 19B, 22B may co-operate with the
attachment assemblies 85A, 87A by the attachment apertures 19B, 22B
being proximate to each other and the vertical center line C710 the
same way that the attachment assemblies 85A, 87A are proximate to
each other and the vertical load axis A32 of the template hanger
25.
[0079] The storage bag 88 has one or more preformed attachment
apertures 19B, 22B that may co-operate with the attachment
assemblies 85A, 87A of the hanger body 26A to secure the bag to a
valid hanger. The co-operation may include the attachment apertures
19B, 22B stretching and/or deforming around the attachment
assemblies 85A, 87A. The co-operation may also include the
attachment apertures 19B, 22B stretching and/or deforming between
the attachment assemblies 85A, 87A. The shape of the attachment
assemblies 85A, 87A the distance between the attachment assemblies
85A, 87A relative to the distance between the attachment apertures
19B, 22B, the resilience of the hanger material, and the resilience
of the bag material may be used to stretch and/or deform the
attachment apertures 19B, 22B around and between the attachment
assemblies 85A, 87A.
[0080] Valid hangers that have attachment assemblies that insert
into preformed attachment apertures 19B, 22B may be formed from
resilient materials that help the hanger flex and align with the
attachment apertures 19B, 22B.
[0081] The storage bag 8 and the bag 508 with or without preformed
attachment apertures may be attached to different embodiments of
the present invention, and may be detached from same.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 4A a tabbed hanger generally shown at 25W
is an example valid hanger where the attachment assemblies 85A, 87A
are realized as outwardly projecting tabs 34, 35 co-formed with the
hanger body 26A. Referring to FIG. 1E, the storage bag 8 has
preformed attachment apertures that may receive the projecting tabs
34, 35 of the tabbed hanger 25W.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 4F, an arrowhead hanger generally shown at
25T is an example valid hanger where the attachment assemblies 85A,
87A are realized as outwardly facing arrowhead-like tabs 34A, 35A
co-formed with the hanger body 26A. The arrowhead-like tabs 34A,
35A have narrow or pointed distal convergent ends 214, 215 and have
step shoulders 216, 217 intermediate of the distal ends 214, 215
and the hanger body 26A. Referring to FIG. 8, the storage bag 8 or
the bag 508 to be attached to the arrowhead hanger 25T may not have
attachment apertures. The storage bag 8 or the bag 508 may be
disposed across the arrowhead-like tabs 34A, 35A, pulled onto the
tabs and pulled over the shoulders 216, 217 (see FIG. 4F) so that
the storage bag 8 or the bag 508 is pierced to form attachment
apertures and is suspended from the arrowhead-like tabs 34A, 35A to
engage the newly formed attachment apertures.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 8, the storage bag 8 having no preformed
attachment apertures may have its center-line C10 vertically
aligned with the load-contact point P32 of a valid hanger such as
the arrowhead hanger 25T with the aid of a registration tab 121.
The registration tab 121 may be a tab downwardly projecting from
the holding section 72. The furthest extent of the registration tab
121 is disposed from the vertical load axis A32 a distance equal to
half the width of the attaching bag 8. The registration tab 121 is
inserted into the storage bag 8 and disposed against the side edge
15 of the storage bag 8. The registration tab 121 may be used to
hold the storage bag 8 firmly against the hanger while at least one
attachment opening is formed and at least one of the attachment
assemblies 85A, 87A engaged with the storage bag 88. The bag may be
freed from the registration tab 121 to help form other apertures,
and to ready the storage bag 8 for use.
[0085] Materials for valid hangers that may operate on the storage
bag 88 to form attachment apertures 85, 87 may be stiff and hard
capable of holding an edge or point and remaining straight under
the force of piercing the storage bag 88.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 4D, a one-tab hanger generally shown at
25H is an example valid hanger where the attachment assemblies 85A,
87A are realized as a tab 734 and a piercing pin 623 that is
confined by pin holder 621 to be parallel with the hanger body 26A
and having a center-line axis C626. The piercing pin 623 is
moveable in one dimension along the center-line axis C626.
Referring to FIG. 3D the bag shown generally as 8D is a bag having
a header and one attachment aperture 819. To attach the storage bag
8D to the one-tab hanger 25H the tab 734 is inserted into
attachment aperture 819. The piercing pin 623 is withdrawn from pin
holder 621 to allow the storage bag 8D to occlude the opening of
the pin holder 621 and block the travel path of the piercing pin
623. The piercing pin 623 may be disposed in pin holder to pierce
and suspend the storage bag 8D (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10).
[0087] Referring to FIG. 4G, a clasp hanger generally shown at 25p
is an example valid hanger where the attachment assemblies 85A, 87A
are realized as a clasp 810A configured with a first part or a
skirt 4 and a second part or a rotating skirt 810 coupled together
via a living hinge 172 whereby the first and second parts may be
folded toward each other. The skirt 4 and the rotating skirt 810
are co-formed with at least one set of locking fasteners having
first member 80, and second member 82 thereof disposed on
respective first and second inside surfaces 801, 802 (not shown) of
the skirt 4 and the rotating skirt 810. The first and second
members 80, 82 are configured to snap and lock together when the
skirt 4 and the rotating skirt 810 are pressed toward each other.
Referring to FIG. 4H, the first and second members 80, 82 of the
locking fastener may include first and second pieces of a garment
snap fastener or a pawl and ledge combination fastener. The first
and second members 80, 82 snap and lock together forcefully so that
the storage bag 8 or the bag 508 initially disposed between the
first and second members 80, 82 is deformed or pierced and is
suspended from between the locked members. (See FIG. 21 and FIG.
22)
[0088] It may be that valid hangers having the attachment
assemblies 85A, 87A for forming attachment apertures or attachment
deformations are used with bags having preformed attachment
apertures.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 4B, an articulated hanger generally shown
at 25D is an example valid hanger. The articulated hanger 25D
includes a horizontally rotating-body section 361 configured as
part of the hanger body 26A through a coupling together with a
fixed-body section 369. Coupling together may be via a living hinge
174 whereby the rotating-body section 361 may be rotated or folded
about the living hinge 174 relative to the fixed-body section 369.
At least one attachment site and one attachment assembly are
disposed on the rotating-body section 361.
[0090] The bag 508 may be attached to the rotating-body section 361
and to the fixed-body section 369 using any of the attachment
assemblies for forming attachment apertures. The rotating-body
section 361 and the fixed-body section 369 may fold towards and
away from each other to co-operate with the attached bag 508 while
the bag 508 is in use.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 4B, the rotating-body section 361 and the
fixed-body section 369 may be biased to dispose the attached bag
508 substantially planar. A planar orientation helps the bag 508 to
be installed on or removed from the support rod 7. Referring to
FIG. 7C, biasing may take the form of the living hinge 174 having
center axis C174 being inclined relative to the vertical load axis
A32. Referring to FIG. 4B, biasing may take the form of first and
second members 184, 182 of an interference fastener co-operating to
resist being separated. The first and second members 184, 182 of
the interference fastener may include the first and second parts of
a garment snap fastener or a pawl and ledge combination fastener.
The first and second members 184, 182 may be co-formed with the
fixed-body section 369 and rotating-body section 361, respectively.
The first and second members 184, 182 are disposed to allow the
members to engage and formed to resist being separated to bias the
attached bag 508 to be disposed substantially planar.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 4C, the hook 23A defines a J-shaped slot
23 having a bowl 23B and a stem 23C where the load-contact point
P32 is coincident with the upper most point in the bowl 23B. The
stem 23C parallels the pathway to be traveled by the support rod 7
moving towards or away from the load-contact point P32 to hook or
unhook the hanger, respectively. The furthest extent of the J-shape
hook 23A that helps form the bowl 23B of the J-shaped slot 23 is
disposed between the bowl 23B and the stem 23C as burr 287 to
increase the aggressiveness of the hook. The J-shaped slot 23 is
sized to receive the support rod 7. The bowl 23B is sized to allow
the hanger to be rotated on the support rod 7 about the vertical
load axis A32 to be able to display the front or the back of the
hanger and the suspended bag. It may be that the bowl 23B is
substantially oval with its minor axis collinear with the vertical
load axis A32. It may be that the J-shape hook 23A is oriented to
be upright or reclined. (The reclined orientation is shown in FIG.
4C.)
[0093] The continued disclosure below teaches in detail possible
constructions of the hanger of the present invention and the
resealable bags that attach to them.
[0094] FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of resealable storage bags
generally shown at 8, each having a header 114 attached to a hanger
25A that embodies the present invention. The hanger 25A has a head
26 adapted for hanging the storage bag 8 on a support rod 7 which
may be supported between two surfaces 240, 241 (not shown), at both
of its ends, e.g., at 242 and 243 (shown in phantom), respectively,
without having to remove any other storage bag from the rod. Many
more storage bags may be supported on a support rod supported at
both ends, for a given size support rod and storage bag. Further,
any individual bag attached to an hanger according to the present
invention may be located anywhere on the support rod and may be
removed or installed without having to remove other bags beforehand
to gain access to the position for the bag.
[0095] FIG. 2A illustrates a front facing orthogonal view of a
resealable storage bag generally shown at 8 typical of the bags the
present invention adapts for hanging on support rods. The
resealable storage bag 8 has sidewalls 11 and 12 which are
typically thin, flexible, transparent plastic film which has been
folded along bottom edge 13 and heat sealed along vertical side
edges 14 and 15 to define a pouch having pouch access 519A.
Sidewall 12 includes top edge 312, inside surface 112 disposed
opposite sidewall 11, and includes outside surface 113 (not shown).
Sidewall 11 includes top edge 314. The storage bag 8 includes a
closure device 16 such as described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat.
No. 4,363,345. The closure device 16 includes closure profiles 17
and 18 which can be occluded and disengaged with respect to each
other for closing and opening the pouch access 519A of the storage
bag 8. The sidewall 12 includes header 114 disposed between the
closure profile 18 and the top edge 312, and having vertical length
dimension L21. The storage bag 8 (Best viewed in FIG. 3A.) has
vertical center-line C10, and side edges 14, 15 spaced apart a
horizontal length dimension L13. Interior corner 923 (not shown) is
disposed interior of the storage bag 8 opposite side edge 15.
[0096] FIG. 2B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
resealable storage bag 8 shown in FIG. 2A, generally shown at 508.
The storage bag 508 has sidewalls 511 and 512 which are typically
thin, flexible, transparent plastic film which has been folded
along bottom edge 513 and heat sealed along vertical side edges 514
and 515 to define a pouch. The sidewall 512 includes top edge 520,
inside face 522 disposed opposite the sidewall 511, and includes
outside face 521 (not shown). The sidewall 511 includes top edge
519, and outside face 555. As best viewed in FIG. 3B, the vertical
side edges 514 and 515 are spaced apart length dimension L513. The
storage bag 508 has vertical center-line C510.
[0097] The storage bag 508 includes a separable closure device 516
such as described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,194.
The separable closure device 516 includes at the top edges 519 and
520 extending along the length thereof resealable interlocking rib
and groove profile closure profiles 517 and 518, respectively. A
closure slider 615 straddles the closure profiles 517, 518 and is
adapted for opening or closing the said closure profiles. Referring
to FIG. 3B, the bag closure device 516 functions in the manner of a
zipper as the closure slider 615 is moved in one direction, towards
position 515A to seal the bag, and in the opposite direction,
towards position 514A to unseal the bag.
[0098] It may be that the storage bag 508 includes apertures 19A,
22A disposed below the closure device 516 and adjacent to the side
edges 514, 415, respectively. It may be that the storage bag 508
includes seals 19S, 22S (shown in phantom) that isolates the space
near apertures 19A, 22A from the space interior to the storage bag
508. The seals 19S, 22S may be formed by heat sealing parts of the
sidewalls 511, 512 of the storage bag 508 together.
[0099] FIG. 2C illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
resealable storage bag 8 shown in FIG. 2A, generally shown at 8C,
having apertures 19, 22 disposed on the header 114. Storage bag 8C
may incorporate any or all of the features and attributes of
storage bag 8. Referring to FIG. 3C, the horizontal center-lines of
the apertures 19, and 22 are coincident and are identified as
center-line C12. Horizontal center-line C12 is disposed from the
top edge 312 a vertical length dimension L22. The apertures 19 and
22 may be circular through holes or voids having diameter dimension
L3 and circumferences coincident with header hole edges 117 and
118, respectively, and having vertical center-lines C19 and C22,
respectively.
[0100] The apertures 19, and 22 may be formed on the resealable
storage bag 8 either during the formation of the storage bag 8C, or
subsequent thereto by a suitable cutting or punching operation.
[0101] To afford conventional resealable storage bags
representative of the storage bag 8 utilized by one embodiment of
this invention to be conveniently converted into bags
representative of the storage bags 8C utilized by an alternative
embodiment of this invention, provision may be given to add
apertures representative of the apertures 19 and 22 to the
conventional storage bags 8. In the illustrated embodiment best
viewed in FIG. 3C, the horizontal spaced separation of the aperture
19 from the aperture 22 is given as horizontal length dimension L5.
Commonly available at retail office supply outlets are conventional
stationery hole punches (not shown) having two laterally disposed
hole punches having diameter dimension L47 and spaced apart a
horizontal length dimension L45, or having three re-positionable
laterally disposed hole punches having diameter dimension L48 where
any two consecutive hole punches may be disposed from each other a
horizontal distance equal to the horizontal length dimension L45 of
the two hole punch. It is a simple matter for a user using one of
the conventional stationery hole punches to convert a conventional
resealable storage bag representative of the storage bag 8 into one
representative of the storage bag 8C. Within the North American
stationery industry, the horizontal length dimension L45 is
standardized to be 2.75 inches. Other standards may exist for
foreign markets. The horizontal length dimension L5 is equal to the
horizontal length dimension L45. The provision to add apertures
representative of the apertures 19 and 22 to the conventional
storage bags 8 may be given by the horizontal length dimension L5
separating the attachment apertures 19, 22 being equal to the
horizontal length dimension L45 separating the punches of standard
two hole stationery punches. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the horizontal length dimension L5 separating the
aperture 19 from the aperture 22 and the horizontal length
dimension L45 separating the punches of standard two hole
stationery punches, convenient conversion of resealable storage
bags representative of the storage bag 8 into bags representative
of the storage bags 8C may be afforded.
[0102] Some embodiments of this invention include a valid hanger, a
template to position a one or multi-hole punch, may include a
single-hole or a multi-hole punch, and may include a storage bag
representative of the storage bag 8. The template may allow a user
to hole punch apertures representative of the apertures 19 and 22
to convert a bag representative of the storage bag 8 into bags
representative of the storage bag 8C.
[0103] FIG. 3D illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
resealable storage bag 8 shown in FIG. 3A, generally shown at 8D,
wherein aperture 819A having horizontal center-line C812 is
disposed horizontally centered on the header 114. Horizontal
center-line C812 is disposed from top edge 312 a vertical length
dimension L822. Aperture 819A may be a circular through hole having
diameter dimension L803, a circumference coincident with header
hole edge 817 (not shown). One alternative embodiment of the
present invention seeks to attach to the resealable storage bag 8D
for hanging on support rods. Storage bag 8D is constructed to
incorporate by reference all of the features and attributes of
storage bag 8.
[0104] FIG. 3E shows an alternative embodiment of the resealable
storage bag 8 shown in FIG. 3A, generally shown as resealable
storage bag 8E, having aperture 919 having horizontal center-line
C912 disposed on the header 114. The horizontal center-line C912 is
disposed from top edge 312 a length dimension L922. Aperture 919
may be a rounded-corner rectangular through hole or void having
maximum horizontal length dimension L903, vertical length dimension
L63, and vertical center-line C919 coincident with storage bag
vertical center-line C10. One alternative embodiment of the present
invention seeks to attach to resealable storage bag 8E for hanging
on support rods.
[0105] FIG. 3F shows an alternative embodiment of the resealable
storage bag 8E shown in FIG. 3E, generally shown as resealable
storage bag 8F, having apertures 919, 919A, and 919B having
horizontal center-line C912 disposed on the header 114. The
horizontal center-line C912 is disposed from top edge 312 a
vertical length dimension L922. Aperture 919 may be a
rounded-corner rectangular through hole or void having maximum
horizontal length dimension L903, vertical length dimension L63,
and vertical center-line C919 coincident with storage bag vertical
center-line C10. Apertures 919A, 919B may be through holes or voids
having diameter dimension L903A and vertical center lines 919c,
919d spaced equally on opposite sides of the vertical center-line
C10 a length dimension L904.
[0106] One alternative embodiment of the present invention seeks to
attach to resealable storage bag 8E for hanging on support
rods.
[0107] The different embodiments of the resealable storage bag
disclosed above attach to alternative embodiments of the hanger of
the present invention having specific attachment assemblies. A
valid hanger suitably attached to a resealable storage bag that may
support a moderate load defines a package 9.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 7A, there is illustrated a template hanger
shown generally at 25. Template hanger 25 is an example embodiment
of features and attributes that may be available to any or all
hangers of the present invention. Template hanger 25 includes means
for attachment to a bag or other item to be supported. Such means
are not illustrated in FIG. 7A. The preferred and the alternative
embodiments of the hanger of the present invention include means to
attach to a resealable bag and may incorporate any or all of the
features and attributes of template hanger 25. The preferred and
the alternative embodiments generally differ in their means of
attaching to a given embodiment of resealable storage bag to which
the hanger is matched, and differ in the additional features
required to support the different means of attachment. The
preferred and the alternative embodiments are examples of valid
hangers of the present invention.
[0109] As best viewed in FIG. 7A, the template hanger 25 comprises
a thin rectangular member with a head 26 having upper end 913,
lower end 914, outer vertical side edge 27, front planar surface
917 having normal axis X917 (not shown), and back planar surface
918 (not shown). Arms 28, 29 extend outwardly in opposite
directions from the lower end 914, have equal vertical length
dimension L2, and have outer vertical edges 281, 291, respectively,
spaced apart a horizontal length dimension L17. It may be that the
upper end of arm 29 is merged with the lower end of holding section
72 (as is the case shown in FIG. 7A) which is described below.
Together, the arms 28, 29, and the lower end 914 define a skirt 4
having top edge 428.
[0110] To removably support a package 9 on the support rod 7
provision may be given to the template hanger 25 to hook on and
unhook from the support rod 7. In the illustrated embodiment best
viewed in FIG. 7A, the head 26 has an internally formed hook 23A.
The hook 23A includes a reclined J-shaped slot 23 disposed with a
bowl 23B above a stem 23C having an outwardly tapered mouth 24
opening coincidentally with the side edge 27 of the head 26, and
having a terminating end coincident with locating edge 61 of the
head 26, and having an upper convex end coincident with downwardly
disposed load transmitting concave edge 32 adjacent to locating
edge 61. Referring to FIG. 7B, the tapered mouth 24 is designed to
facilitate easy guidance onto a support rod 7 of known diameter.
The J-shaped slot 23 is designed such that for any supporting rod
of known diameter or smaller, the hanging of a storage bag (not
shown) and its subsequent removal can be effected by the user. The
provision to hook the template hanger 25 on the support rod 7 may
be provided by the tapered mouth 24 allowing the support rod 7 to
be received into the J-shaped slot 23 up to the locating edge 61
and by having the support rod 7 be able to rest underneath the
concave edge 32 to support the template hanger 25, when the
template hanger 25 is attached to a storage bag as described below.
At rest on support rod 7 the rigidity of the template hanger 25
continues to support the attached storage bag. The provision to
unhook the template hanger 25 on the support rod 7 may be provided
by the J-shaped slot 23 yielding smooth passage to the support rod
7 from its received rested position underneath the concave edge 32
to the tapered mouth 24. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the head 26, the support rod 7, the concave edge
32, the J-shaped slot 23 and the rigidity of the head 26, a package
9 may be removably supportable on the support rod 7.
[0111] To prevent inadvertent disengagement of a package 9 from the
support rod 7, where the hanger is attached to a storage bag
provision may be given to limit the motion of the template hanger
25 relative to the support rod 7. In the illustrated embodiment of
the template hanger 25 best viewed in FIG. 7B, the head 26 having
the J-shaped slot 23 defines burr 287 as the portion of the head 26
that partially separates the bowl 23B from the stem 23C. The burr
287 curves around a part of the lower portion of the support rod 7
when the support rod 7 rests underneath the concave edge 32 to
limit the vertical freedom of motion of the support rod 7 relative
to the template hanger 25. The burr 287 forces the support rod 7 to
move horizontally relative to the concave edge 32 to exit from the
template hanger 25 along the specific pathway defined by the
J-shaped slot 23. The provision to limit the motion of the template
hanger 25 on the support rod 7 may be given by the burr 287
limiting the vertical freedom of motion of the support rod 7 when
the support rod 7 supports the template hanger 25 underneath the
concave edge 32. By virtue of the relationships and engagements
among the J-shaped slot 23, the burr 287 and the support rod 7, a
package 9 may be afforded prevention from inadvertent disengagement
from the support rod 7.
[0112] To afford convenient handling of a package 9 provision may
be given to carry the template hanger 25. In the illustrated
embodiment best viewed in FIG. 7A the head 26 is integrally formed
with outwardly extending holding section 72 disposed laterally from
the head 26 above the arms 28 and 29. The holding section 72 has
end section 99 and an outer vertical edge 179 that may be disposed
generally aligned with the storage bag side edge 15 or beyond when
a hanger is attached to a storage bag, as described below. The
holding section 72 has bottom edge 427, and has vertical length
dimension L12 that is sized to allow a user to conveniently grasp
the holding section 72 between fingers and thumb so that the head
26 and the arm 28 are cantilevered from a user's hand when the user
grasps the template hanger 25 by the holding section 72.
Optionally, the holding section 72 may have a handle aperture 75
(See FIG. 1D) that accepts one or more fingers to improve the
user's grasp of the template hanger 25, or the holding section 72
may be textured, for example by depressed dimples, small through
voids, or raised bumps 76 (see FIG. 7B), to improve the friction or
interference with the grasp of the user. The template hanger 25 has
front planar surface 917 having normal axis X917 (see FIG. 7B). The
template hanger 25 is of a material and a thickness that makes
template hanger 25 rigid about the normal axis X917 when the
attached storage bag carries moderate load. The provision to carry
the template hanger 25 may be given by the holding section 72 and
optionally the handle aperture or void 75 (not shown) or by
depressed dimples, small through voids, or raised bumps 76 (see
FIG. 7B), the rigidity of the holding section 72 and its vertical
length dimension L12. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements between the holding section 72, the vertical length
dimension L12, the rigidity of the template hanger 25 about the
normal axis X917, and optionally the surface texture of the holding
section 72 or the handle aperture or void 75, the convenient
handling of a package 9 may be afforded.
[0113] To afford viewing a given package 9 hung on the support rod
7 in tandem with a series of similar packages 9 that generally
occlude each other, provision may be given to the template hanger
25 to be rotatable on the support rod 7. The template hanger 25 is
rotatable in a horizontal arc such that an occluding package 9 or a
set of occluding packages 9 can be rotated to expose the face of a
previously occluded bag and expose the label section 77 of a valid
hanger. In the illustrated embodiment of the template hanger 25
best viewed in FIG. 11 (storage bag not shown for clarity), the
J-shaped slot 23 is co-formed with the locating edge 61 and the
load transmitting concave edge 32 (See FIG. 7A) to cooperatively
receive the horizontal support rod 7 obliquely. Support rod 7 may
have a cross-section that is substantively circular and has
center-line C7 that may be disposed, at an acute angle A2 shown by
position M or an obtuse angle A1 shown by position N (shown in
phantom), relative to the front planar surface 917 of the template
hanger 25. The bowl 23B of the J-shaped slot 23 may be
substantively oval-shaped having a minor axis collinear with the
vertical load axis A32. When the template hanger 25 is disposed in
position M or position N, the support rod 7 may contact and support
the concave edge 32 of the template hanger 25 at the load-contact
point P32. The template hanger 25 may rotate about the load-contact
point P32 relative to the support rod 7 to be disposed at any angle
within an arc A3 bounded by the acute angle A2 and the obtuse angle
A1. The acute angle A2 is suggested to be about 30 degrees, the
obtuse angle A1 is suggested to be 150 degrees, and the arc A3
suggested to sweep about 120 degrees. The provision to have the
template hanger 25 be rotatable on the support rod 7 within a
horizontal arc may be given by the bowl 23B of the J-shaped slot 23
being substantively oval-shaped and co-formed with the locating
edge 61 and the load transmitting concave edge 32 to cooperatively
receive the horizontal support rod 7 that a valid hanger contacts
the support rod 7 at the load-contact point P32. And, provision may
be given by the template hanger 25 being able to rotate about the
load-contact point P32 through the arc A3 without interference from
the J-shaped slot 23, the locating edge 61, and the load
transmitting concave edge 32. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the J-shaped slot 23, the locating edge 61, the
load transmitting concave edge 32, the support rod 7, and the
load-contact point P32, a package 9 hung on the support rod 7 in
tandem with a series of similar packages 9 that generally occlude
each other may be afforded viewing.
[0114] In the illustrated embodiment best viewed in FIG. 7B, the
load-contact plane 700 is a vertical plane that passes through the
load-contact point P32 and is perpendicular to the front planar
surface 917 of the template hanger 25.
[0115] To afford easy alpha-numeric identification of goods stored
within a package 9 provision may be given to label template hanger
25 before or after it is attached to the storage bag. In the
illustrated embodiment best viewed in FIG. 7A, the end section 99
of the holding section 72 is integrally formed with label section
77. The label section 77 may include downwardly projecting label
tab 78 that may have inside edge 79 horizontally spaced apart from
the load-contact point P32 a length dimension L10. The horizontal
length dimension L10 is slightly greater than half of the
horizontal length dimension L13 separating the spaced apart side
edges of the storage bag to which the given valid hanger may be
attached. When a storage bag is attached to a valid hanger, as
described below, the side edge 15 of the said storage bag may be
disposed adjacent the inside edge 79, label section 77 may be
disposed beyond the extent of the storage bag 10, and the
downwardly projecting label tab 78 may be disposed below the top
edges 312 and 314 of the storage bag 10. The provision to provide
easy alpha-numeric identification of goods stored within package 9
may be given by the label section 77 of the valid hanger being able
to accept an applied identification mark by permanent marker, pad
printing, or adhesive label, for example, and being vertically
wider than the holding section 72 that fingers and thumb grasping
the holding section 72 do not smudge or degrade the said
identification, when a package 9 is handled as described below. By
virtue of the relationships and engagements between the label
section 77, the side edge 15 of an attached storage bag, and an
applied alpha-numeric identifier (not shown), the alpha-numeric
identification of goods within a package 9 may be afforded.
[0116] Referring to FIG. 20, short-depth storage is defined as a
package 9 hanging from a horizontal support rod that is spaced from
a vertical parallel wall 931 a horizontal length dimension L120
that is less than half the horizontal length dimension L13
separating the spaced apart side edges of the storage bag of
package 9. The horizontal length dimension L120 separating the
support rod 7 from the wall 931 is measured normal to the
center-line C7 of the support rod 7. Short-depth storage is
desirable because it allows space that is smaller than optimal to
be used for storage.
[0117] To afford short-depth storage of a package 9 hung on the
support rod 7, provision may be given to the template hanger 25 to
hang obliquely on the support rod 7. In the illustrated embodiment
of template hanger 25 best viewed in FIG. 20, the J-shaped slot 23
is co-formed with the locating edge 61 and the load transmitting
concave edge 32 to cooperatively receive the horizontal support rod
7 obliquely. The template hanger 25 may be freely received by and
disposed on the support rod 7 within the range of angles bounded by
the acute angle A2 and the obtuse angle A1 (See FIG. 11) relative
to the center-line C7. The actual angle that the template hanger 25
assumes at rest on the support rod 7 is defined as rest angle A9.
The concave edge 32 in co-operation with the circular cross-section
of the support rod 7 predisposes the rest angle A9 to be
approximately 90 degrees. When the horizontal length dimension L120
is less than half the length dimension L13, a side edge of the
storage bag will touch the wall 931 and the template hanger 25 will
be received on the support rod 7 at the rest angle A9 that is acute
or obtuse. The horizontal length dimension L120 may be as small as
the length dimension given by the product of half the length
dimension L13 and the Sine of the acute angle A2 or the obtuse
angle A1, whichever is smaller, to allow a valid hanger to be
received on the support rod 7. The provision for the template
hanger 25 to hang obliquely may be given by the J-shaped slot 23
being able to receive the support rod 7 without interference when
the support rod 7 is disposed normal and when it is disposed
obliquely to the J-shaped slot. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the J-shaped slot 23, the locating edge 61, the
load transmitting concave edge 32, and the support rod 7, a valid
hanger may be afforded oblique disposition on the support rod 7
that is spaced from a vertical parallel wall a distance less than
half the horizontal length dimension separating the spaced apart
side edges of the attached storage bag. The minimum angle for acute
angle A2 is suggested as 30 degrees. The maximum angle for obtuse
angle A1 is suggested as 150 degrees.
[0118] To afford aggressive interference of a storage bag or user's
hand with a valid hanger, provision may be given to the template
hanger 25 to increase the friction and grasping forces between the
template hanger 25 and the storage bag or a user's hand. The
template hanger 25 has horizontal grooves 956 on front and back
surface 917, 918 (See FIG. 1D) that may receive any horizontal
ridges disposed on header 114, such as the ridges given in included
U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,345 to Scheibner. The grooves 956 co-operate
with the ridges of U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,345 disposed on resealable
bags to increase friction and interference between the template
hanger 25 and the header 114, and between the template hanger 25
and the user's hand, during opening and handling of the attached
storage bag by the user as described below. Provision to increase
the grasping forces and friction between the template hanger 25 and
the storage bag or a user's hand may be given by the horizontal
grooves 956. By virtue of the relationships and engagements between
any horizontal grooves 956 of a valid hanger and any horizontal
ridges disposed on the header 114, increased interference, friction
and grasping forces between a valid hanger and the header 114, and
between a valid hanger and a user's hand, may be afforded.
[0119] As best viewed in FIG. 4C, there is illustrated at 25W a
tabbed hanger that is the preferred embodiment of the hanger of the
present invention. The tabbed hanger 25W may be attached to a bag
representative of the resealable storage bag 8C (best viewed in
FIG. 3C). The tabbed hanger 25W may embody the template hanger 25
that any or all of the features of the template hanger 25 may be
included in tabbed hanger 25W. The tabbed hanger 25W may be formed
from a resilient material.
[0120] To afford reversibly attaching the storage bag 8C to the
tabbed hanger 25W provision may be given to the tabbed hanger 25W
to reversibly anchor storage bag 8C. In the illustrated embodiment
best viewed in FIG. 4C, the tabs 34 and 35 extend outwardly from
the arms 28 and 29, respectively, where the vertical length
dimension L1 of the said tabs is significantly smaller than the
vertical length dimension L2 of the said arms. The shoulders 36 and
37 intermediate of the said tabs and the said arms are formed
coincident with the vertical edges 281 and 291, respectively, of
the said arms. The vertical length dimension L1 of the tabs 34 and
35 is slightly greater than the diameter dimension L3 of the
apertures 19 and 22 (best viewed in FIG. 3C). When the tabbed
hanger 25W is attached to the storage bag 8C, as described below,
the said tabs are received in the said apertures and a portion of
the material of the header 114 of the storage bag 8C is tensioned
around the tabs 34 and 35. The provision to anchor the tabbed
hanger 25W to the storage bag 8C may be given by the diameter
dimension L3 of the apertures 19 and 22 deforming and stretching
around the vertical length dimension L1 of the tabs 34 and 36 (best
viewed in FIG. 23), respectively. The provision to remove the
tabbed hanger 25W from the storage bag 8C may be given by the
resilience of the material forming the storage bag 8C so that the
tabs 34, 36 may pull free from the attachment apertures 19, 22,
respectively, during the in-use process of detaching the tabbed
hanger 25W from the storage bag 8C, as described below. By virtue
of the relationships and engagements among the vertical length
dimension L1 of the projecting tabs 34, 35, the diameter dimension
L3 of the attachment apertures 19, 22, the resilience of the tabbed
hanger's construction material, and the resilience of the material
of the storage bag's header 114, reversible attachment of the
tabbed hanger 25W to the storage bag 8C may be afforded.
[0121] Preferably, the tabbed hanger 25W is fabricated of a
relatively thin, resilient material, such as plastic or laminated
wood, that enables the arms, and particularly the arm 28, to be
flexed relative to the head 26 and the arm 29, such as in the
manner described below for in-use anchoring of the tabbed hanger
25W to the storage bag 8C.
[0122] To afford convenient handling of the tabbed hanger 25W and
the storage bag 8C to which it is attached, provision may be given
to secure the tabbed hanger 25W to the storage bag 8C. In the
illustrated embodiment best viewed in FIG. 4C, the horizontal
length dimension L17 spacing apart the shoulders 36, 37 is slightly
greater than the horizontal length dimension L5 spacing apart the
vertical center-lines C19, C22 of the attachment apertures 19, 22,
respectively (best viewed in FIG. 3C). As illustrated in FIG. 5,
when hanger and bag are assembled, the aperture 19 receives the tab
34 and denies the shoulder 36, and aperture 22 receives the tab 35
and denies the shoulder 37 such that the sidewall 12 in the general
area between the apertures is deformed and stretched across the
shoulders 36, 37 so that the general area between the apertures
lays flat and contacting the said hanger, and so that the
attachment apertures 19, 22 stretch across the projecting tabs 34,
35 and cooperatively pull the opposite shoulders 37, 36,
respectively. The arms 28, 29 are sufficiently rigid to remain
generally co-planar under the tension of the stretched area between
the apertures and the moderate load of the goods stored in the
storage bag 8C. The provision to secure the tabbed hanger 25 to the
storage bag 8C may be given by the horizontal length dimension L17
spacing apart the shoulders 36, 37 being slightly greater than the
horizontal length dimension L5 spacing apart the vertical
center-lines C19, C22 of the attachment apertures 19, 22,
respectively. By virtue of the relationships and engagements among
the spaced apart shoulders' horizontal length dimension L17, the
spaced apart apertures' horizontal length dimension L5, the
attachment apertures 19, 22, the shoulders 36, 37, the tabs 34, 35,
and rigidity of the arms 28, 29 about the normal axis X917,
convenient handling of the tabbed hanger 25W and the storage bag 8C
may be afforded.
[0123] To afford the storage bag 8C attached to the tabbed hanger
25W and containing evenly distributed moderately weighted goods to
hang vertical from the support rod 7, provision may be given to the
tabbed hanger 25W to align substantially vertical the center-line
C10 of storage bag 8C and have the center-line C10 intersect with
the horizontal center-line C7 of the support rod 7. In the
illustrated embodiment best viewed in FIG. 4C, the vertical
load-contact plane 700 passes through the load-contact point P32,
and the shoulders 36 and 37 are spaced apart the horizontal length
dimension L17. Referring to FIG. 3C, the storage bag 8C has the
vertical center-line C10. The storage bag 8C has the vertical
center-lines C19 and C22 of the apertures 19 and 22, respectively,
spaced apart the horizontal length dimension L5. The shoulder
spacing dimension L17 is slightly greater than the
aperture-aperture spacing horizontal dimension L5. The aperture
center-line C19 is spaced from the storage bag center-line C10 by
horizontal length dimension L7 that is substantially equal to the
horizontal length dimension L8 separating the shoulder 36 from the
load-contact plane 700. (Best viewed in FIG. 23.) The provision to
vertically align the storage bag 8C when it hangs from the support
rod 7 may be given by the horizontal length dimensions of the
separations of the aperture center-lines C19, C22 from the storage
bag center-line C10 being substantially equal to the horizontal
length dimensions of the separations of the shoulders 36, 37 from
the load-contact plane 700, respectively, that the storage bag
center-line C10 lies within the load-contact plane 700, when the
tabbed hanger 25W is attached to the storage bag 8C in the manner
described below. The provision to have the center-line C10 align
substantially vertical may be given by the vertical center-lines
C19, C22 of the attachment apertures 19, 22, respectively, not
being disposed on the same side of the storage bag center-line C10
and by the apertures 19, 22 being spaced from the center line C10
substantially the same amount as the shoulders 36, 37 are from the
load-contact plane 700. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements between the spacing length dimension L8 of the shoulder
36 from the load-contact plane 700 and the spacing length dimension
L17 of the shoulders 36, 37 from each other, the spacing length
dimension L7 of the aperture 19 from the storage bag center-line
C10 and the aperture-aperture spacing horizontal dimension L5 of
the attachment apertures 19, 22 from each other, the rigidity of
the arms about the normal axis X917 (see FIG. 7B), the storage bag
8C attached to the tabbed hanger 25W and containing evenly
distributed goods may be afforded to hang vertical from the support
rod 7. (Lengths are substantially equal to allow the header's 114
material to stretch.)
[0124] Referring to FIG. 23, to afford the storage bag 8C to
indefinitely support goods of moderate weight from the support rod
7, provision may be given for the tabbed hanger 25W to support the
storage bag 8C and any goods of moderate weight contained. The
thicknesses of the bearing tabs 34 and 35 are wide enough, and
formed to provide a generally smooth bearing surface 57 (not
shown), possibly convex, that does not cut into or focus stress
onto the header material of the storage bag 8C in the areas
adjacent the attachment apertures 19, 22, that the header material
does not tear or deform beyond a minimum amount, when the storage
bag 8C is loaded with goods of moderate weight and the tabbed
hanger 25W is attached to the storage bag 8C as described below.
The provision to support goods of moderate weight in the storage
bag 8C when it is assemble with the tabbed hanger 25W may be given
by the bearing surfaces 57 of the tabs 34 and 35 being generally
wide and without sharp edges. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements between the thickness and roundness of the tab bearing
surfaces 57, and the thickness and resiliency of the material of
the header 114 of the storage bag 8C, the hanger 25W may be
afforded to indefinitely support from the support rod 7 the storage
bag 8C having goods of moderate weight.
[0125] To afford easy attachment of the tabbed hanger 25W to the
storage bag 8C, provision may be given for the tabbed hanger 25W to
increase the friction and grasping forces between the projecting
tabs 34, 35 of tabbed hanger 25W and the attachment apertures 19,
22 of the storage bag 8C so that during its attachment to the
storage bag 8C a dropped tabbed hanger 25W may be stopped from
falling out of an aperture of the storage bag 8C. The projecting
tabs 34, 35 have ribs 81 (not shown) that obstruct the free
movement or slippage of the attachment apertures 19, 22 over the
projecting tabs 34, 35, respectively. A minimum applied energy
defined by the bag's construction material is required to stretch
the said apertures wider than the ribs 81, or else the said
apertures will snag on the ribs 81. A falling tabbed hanger 25W has
a certain amount of energy associated with it that may be
dissipated across one or more successive ribs 81. The provision to
provide for the attachment apertures 19, 22 to stop and snag a
falling tabbed hanger 25W may be given by the relative size of the
ribs 81 obstructing the free slippage of the attachment apertures
19, 22 from the projecting tabs 34, 35. By virtue of the
relationships and engagements among the ribs 81, the attachment
apertures 19, 22, and the plasticity of the material of the header
114, the tabbed hanger 25W may be afforded easy attachment to the
storage bag 8C.
[0126] The operation of the assembly of the tabbed hanger 25W with
the storage bag 8C according to the present invention is as
follows.
[0127] Referring to FIG. 6, in use, to attach the tabbed hanger 25W
to the storage bag 8C the arms 28, 29 of the tabbed hanger 25W are
disposed between the sidewalls 11, 12 generally flat against the
header 114, and are disposed parallel to the top edge 312 so that
the aperture 22 is not occluded by the tabbed hanger 25W. Then, the
end of the header 114 is folded forwardly around the outer vertical
edge of the tab 35 while the tab 35 is moved laterally relative to
the header 114 so that the tab 35 enters into and is received in
the aperture 22 and the shoulder 37 is denied entry into the
aperture 22 so that the shoulder 37 abuts the header 114 to prevent
further travel of the tabbed hanger 25W relative to the storage bag
8C in a manner illustrated in FIG. 6. The forwardly folded end of
the header 114 is then released while the tab 35 is held received
in the aperture 22 and the shoulder 37 is held abutted the header
114. The arm 28 of the tabbed hanger 25W is then flexed in a back
bending arc to align the tab 34 with the aperture 19. And then, the
arm 28 is released so that as it returns to its normally-flat
relaxed configuration the tab 34 is received in the aperture 19 and
the shoulder 36 abuts the header 114 to tension across the
shoulders 36 and 37 the area of the header 114 disposed between the
apertures 19 and 22 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. When thus
attached, the tabbed hanger 25W is prevented from moving either
vertically or horizontally relative to the header 114. Preferably,
the tabbed hanger 25W has a normally flat, relaxed configuration
when attached to the storage bag 8C.
[0128] In use, the tabbed hanger 25W can be detached from the
storage bag 8C by reversing the above sequence of steps should such
detachment be desirable.
[0129] The operation of a package 9 that may include the tabbed
hanger 25W and the storage bag 8C is as follows and is similar for
other packages 9:
[0130] In use, to carry a package 9, a user's fingers and thumb may
grasp the valid hanger by grasping the holding section 72 that the
head 26 is cantilevered from the user's hand.
[0131] In use, to hang a given storage bag when it is attached to a
valid hanger, a user carries the given storage bag to have J-shaped
slot 23 receive support rod 7 and rests the load-contact point P32
on the support rod 7 where the given hanger may be disposed
obliquely to the support rod 7 and may be pivoted about the
load-contact point P32.
[0132] In use, to remove from support rod 7 a package 9, the above
sequence of steps may be reversed should such removal be
desirable.
[0133] In use, a storage bag when it is assembled with a valid
hanger, and having occluded closure profiles 17, 18 can be
separated to open the pouch access 519A to the interior of the
given storage bag. The hanger is vertically higher than the header
114 when the two are assembled, and is disposed between the
sidewalls 11, 12 that the said hanger and the header 114 are
practically automatically squeezed together between the user's
thumb and fingers of one hand when the user reaches out to hold
said hanger and header together. The horizontal grooves 956 (not
shown) of the said hanger facilitate the said hanger gripping the
header and the users thumb, and is practically automatically
engaged by the thumb of the user if the user strokes a thumb across
the horizontal grooves 956. The horizontal grooves 956 result in a
gripping surface even for a user with slippery fingers. The
sidewall 12 and the header 114 grasped in one hand, isolate the
sidewall 11 allowing it to be grasped by the opposing hand. The
user proceeds to separate said hanger and the sidewall 12 from the
sidewall 11 by spreading them to disengage the closure profiles 17
and 18 from each other.
[0134] Once the closure profiles 17 and 18 are disengaged the user
may continue to spread the sidewall 12 and the header 114 from the
sidewall 11 so that the sidewall 12 bends in the areas adjacent the
outer edges 281, 291 of the arms 28, 29 of the hanger, and the side
edges 14, 15 move towards each other. As the side edges 14, 15 move
towards each other, the pouch access 519A to the interior of the
said storage bag is opened between the said hanger and the sidewall
12 on one side of the pouch access 519A and the sidewall 11 on the
opposing side of the pouch access 519A.
[0135] The common method for closing resealable storage bags used
with the present invention is described as squeezing the closure
profiles 17 and 18 together between the fingers and thumb of one
hand as the hand is moved across the approximate length of the
closure profiles. A user, in the process of closing the closure
device 16 of a storage bag attached to an hanger, arches their palm
over the attached hanger and continues closing the closure device
16 as though closing the given storage bag using the common method.
Valid hangers are sized to rise above the header 114 as little as
is practicable to allow a user's hand to straddle an attached
hanger and comfortably reach the closure device 16 of the storage
bag with their fingers and thumb. Users with smaller hands may lie
said hanger and bag on a flat surface and close the given storage
bag by squeezing the closure profiles 17 and 18 together between
said flat surface and fingers or thumb as the hand is moved across
the length of the closure profiles. Alternatively, users with
smaller hands may fold the header 114 above or below the closure
device 16 that the fold-line is now the top most part of the given
storage bag and the closure profiles 17, 18 are accessible to the
user's hand for closure using a method similar to the common
method.
[0136] In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that the
present invention now provides an improved means to enable goods to
be displayed on hooks or support rods using commonly available
resealable storage bags similar to those like the storage bag 8C.
The tabbed hanger 25W is an example of a valid hanger that may be
easily attached to the storage bag 8C or the like. Moreover, a
valid hanger may be prevented from being inadvertently disengaged
from an attached storage bag or the support rod 7 by its novel
shape and cooperation with various apertures of the storage bag.
Since the hanger may be fabricated of plastic, laminated wood, or
similar material, it is strong, flexible, and resistant to tearing.
The hanger may be formed to be thick and more rigid where needed to
support a moderate load of goods in the attached storage bag and
thin and more flexible where needed to allow for bending during
attachment to the storage bag.
[0137] The tabbed hanger 25W may be attached to a bag
representative of the resealable storage bag illustrated as 8E in
FIG. 3E, by anyone skilled in the art.
[0138] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described in detail above, various modifications, alterations
and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention as described above. Alternative
embodiments of the present invention are disclosed below as
examples of how the hanger may be modified for other formats of
resealable storage bag.
[0139] In another embodiment of the present invention, arrowhead
hanger illustrated at 25T in FIG. 4F, may be attached to a bag
representative of the resealable storage bag 8 illustrated in FIG.
2A. The arrowhead hanger 25T may embody the tabbed hanger 25W (best
viewed in FIG. 4C) so that any or all of the features of the tabbed
hanger 25W may be included in arrowhead hanger 25T.
[0140] To afford attaching the storage bag 8 to the arrowhead
hanger 25T, provision may be given to the arrowhead hanger 25T to
secure to the storage bag 8. In the alternative embodiment best
viewed in FIG. 4F, the arrowhead hanger 25T may be formed from the
tabbed hanger 25W where the outward edges of tabs 34, 35, (renamed
tabs 34A, 35A, respectively) are merged with arrowheads 212, 213,
respectively. Arrowheads 212, 213 have arrowhead shoulders 216,
217, respectively, that are wider than their adjacent tabs. The
arrowheads 212, 213 have aggressively convergent ends 214, 215 that
may pierce the material constructing the header 114 of the storage
bag 8 to provide the pierced apertures 218, 219 (not shown) into
which may be received the projecting tabs 34A, 35A, respectively.
The piercing arrowheads remove the need for any apertures to exist
on the header 114 before attachment to the said hanger, as
described below and for the preferred embodiment. The provision to
provide for securing the arrowhead hanger 25T to the storage bag 8
may be given by the convergent ends 214, 215 being able to pierce
the header 114 to produce, the pierced apertures 218, 219 into
which the projecting tabs 34A, 3A5 may be received and then held
from being released by the arrowhead shoulders 216, 217,
respectively. By virtue of the relationships and engagements among
the convergent ends 214, 215, the projecting tabs 34A, 35A, the
arrowhead shoulders 216, 217 and the strength of the material of
the header 114, attaching the storage bag 8 to the arrowhead hanger
25T may be afforded.
[0141] Referring to FIG. 8, in use, to attach the arrowhead hanger
25T to the storage bag 8, the said hanger is disposed against the
header 114 between the sidewalls 11 and 12, with one hand, so that
the arms 28, 29 are disposed parallel to the closure device 16 and
the head 26 projects above the header 114. The second hand, bends
the portion of the header 114 adjacent the side edge 14 a minimum
of 90 degrees around the convergent end 214. Suddenly forcefully
the convergent end 214 is pushed into the header 114, or
alternatively, the header 114 suddenly forcefully is pulled (as
shown by direction arrow D12) onto the convergent end 214 that the
arrowhead 212 pierces the header 114 to form the pierced aperture
218. And then, pushing or pulling continues until the tab 34A is
received in the pierced aperture 218. Similarly, for the portion of
the header 114 adjacent the side edge 15, the bending and piercing
actions are repeated to form the tab 35A received in the pierced
aperture 219.
[0142] To effect positioning the pierced apertures 218, 219
relative to the vertical center-line C10 of the attached storage
bag 8, provision may be given to locate the pierced apertures 218
and 219 on the storage bag 8. In the alternative embodiment best
viewed in FIG. 4F the arrowhead hanger 25T has downwardly extending
registration tab 121 integrally formed with part of the lower end
of the holding section 72 where the bottom edge of the registration
tab 121 may align with the bottom edge of the arm 29. The
registration tab 121 has outside edge 420. The arrowhead hanger 25T
may have outwardly extending protruding lip 414 disposed above the
arrowhead 212. The protruding lip 414 has bottom edge 415 that is
co-linear with the bottom edge 427 of the holding section 72, and
has outside end 416 that extends beyond the convergent end 214 of
the arrowhead 212. The bottom edge 415 of the protruding lip 414 is
disposed above the arrowhead 212 a vertical length dimension L417.
The outside edge 420 of the registration tab 121 is disposed from
the arrowhead convergent end 214 a horizontal length dimension
L418.
[0143] Referring to FIG. 8, in use, the arrowhead hanger 25T is
disposed to locate the pierced aperture 218 (not shown) on the
storage bag 8 by disposing the arms 28, 29 and the registration tab
121 between the sidewalls 11, 12, disposing the bottom edge 415 of
the protruding lip 414 adjacent the top edge 312 of the sidewall
12, and disposing the outside edge 420 of the registration tab 121
to abut the interior corner 923 (not shown) of the storage bag 8.
When the arrowhead hanger 25T is disposed to locate the pierced
aperture 218, attaching the header 114 to the storage bag 8 by
forming the pierced aperture 218, as described above, disposes the
pierced aperture 218 vertically from the top edge 312 an
approximate vertical length dimension L417, and horizontally from
the interior corner 923 an approximate horizontal length dimension
L418.
[0144] After attachment, the arrowhead-lip vertical length
dimension L417 of the said hanger is equal to the aperture-edge
vertical length dimension L26 of the said storage bag 8. The
arrowhead-tab horizontal length dimension L418 of the said hanger
is equal to the aperture-corner horizontal length dimension L27 of
the said storage bag 8. The provision to vertically locate the
pierced aperture 418 on the storage bag 8 may be given by the
length dimension L417 that vertically separates the arrowhead 212
from the bottom edge 415 of the protruding lip 414, and the
horizontal length dimension L418 that separates the arrowhead
convergent end 214 from the outside edge 420 of the registration
tab 121.
[0145] In the alternative embodiment best viewed in FIG. 4F the
arrowhead hanger 25T has the convergent end 215 of the arrowhead
213 spaced from the shoulder 36A (intermediate of the tab 34A and
the arm 28) a horizontal length dimension L423, and vertically
spaced from the bottom edge 427 of the holding section 72 a
vertical length dimension L424.
[0146] In use, the arrowhead hanger 25T is registered to locate the
pierced aperture 219 on the header 114 after attaching the header
114 to the arrowhead hanger 25T by forming the pierced aperture 218
and receiving the tab 34 therein. Then, the shoulder 36A of the
hanger is held to abut the pierced aperture 218, and the hanger is
rotated up about the pierced aperture 218 so that registration tab
121 rises above the top edge 312 of the sidewall 12. Then, the
hanger is rotated down so that the registration tab 121 is disposed
below the top edge 312, on the opposite side of the header 114 so
that the sidewall 11 can not contact the registration tab 121. And,
the registration tab 121 is disposed so that the bottom edge 427 of
the holding section 72 is adjacent the top edge 312 of the sidewall
12.
[0147] When the arrowhead hanger 25T is registered to locate the
pierced aperture 219, attaching the header 114 to the storage bag 8
by forming the pierced aperture 219, as described above, disposes
the pierced aperture 219 vertically from the top edge 312 of the
sidewall 12 a vertical length dimension L424, and horizontally from
the pierced aperture 218 a horizontal length dimension L423.
[0148] The arrowhead-edge vertical length dimension L424 of the
said hanger is equal to the aperture-edge vertical length dimension
L24 of the said storage bag 8. The arrowhead-shoulder horizontal
length dimension L423 of the said hanger is approximately equal to
the aperture-aperture horizontal length dimension L25 of the said
storage bag 8.
[0149] The provision to locate pierced aperture 219 on storage bag
8 may be given by the vertical length dimension L424 that separates
the arrowhead 219 from the bottom edge 427 of the holding section
72, and the horizontal length dimension L423 that horizontally
separates the arrowhead convergent end 215 from the shoulder 36A
that is intermediate of the arm 28 and the tab 34A.
[0150] By virtue of the relationships and engagements among the
arrow convergent ends 214, 215, the bottom edge 427 of the holding
section 72, the shoulder 36A, the bottom edge 415 of the protruding
lip 414, and the outside edge 420 of the registration tab 121 of
the arrowhead hanger 25T, and the interior corner 923 and the top
edge 312 of the storage bag 8, the pierced apertures 218, 219 are
registered on the header 114 of the storage bag 8.
[0151] As best viewed in FIG. 4G, there is illustrated at 25P a
clasp hanger that is an alternative embodiment of the hanger of the
present invention, and that may be attached to a bag representative
of the resealable storage bag 8 illustrated in FIG. 2A. The clasp
hanger 25P may be fabricated as an injection molded component and
assembled from two hinged-together parts, pawl-hanger 966 and
rotating skirt 810, when folded together along a living hinge 172.
The pawl-hanger 966 may embody the template hanger 25 so that any
or all of the features of the template hanger 25 may be included in
the pawl-hanger 966.
[0152] In the alternative embodiment of the present invention,
illustrated in FIG. 4G, the pawl-hanger 966 has laterally extending
lip 955 integrally formed with the top corner section of the skirt
4 adjacent the vertical edge 281. The lip 955 has bottom edge 944.
The bottom edge 427 of the holding section 72 is co-linear with the
bottom edge 944. The side and bottom edges of the skirt 4 are
generally co-planar with the side and bottom edges of the rotating
skirt 810. The outer vertical edges 281, 291 of the skirt 4 are
space apart a horizontal length dimension L17. (See FIG. 19.)
[0153] In the illustrated embodiment best viewed in FIG. 4G, the
clasp hanger 25P has first inside surface 801 disposed on the skirt
4 adjacent the living hinge 172 and second inside surface 802 (not
shown) disposed on rotating skirt 810 opposing first inside surface
801. Referring to FIG. 19, the living hinge 172 may have one or
more tubular parts A and one or more tubular parts B, aligned
adjacent to each other in alternating fashion, so that the
center-lines of the tubular parts A and B are co-linear with
center-line C101. The tubular parts A and B have inside diameter
dimension L56 (not shown) and wall thickness dimension L57 (not
shown). The parts A of the living hinge 172 are integrally formed
with the skirt 4 adjacent the first inside surface 801 where the
center-line C101 is disposed parallel and near the top edge 428
(not shown) of the skirt 4. The parts B of the living hinge 172 are
integrally formed with, and parallel to, the top edge 803 of the
rotating skirt 810. The living hinge 172 has a hinge pin 499 sized
and disposed to secure the parts A to the parts B in rotating hinge
fashion about the center-line C101 so that the clasp hanger 25P may
fold along the living hinge 172. When the first inside surface 801
is disposed parallel to the second inside surface 802 the clasp
hanger 25P is closed.
[0154] In the illustrated embodiment best viewed in FIG. 4G, the
inside surfaces 801, 802 may include integral, two-piece locking
fasteners 80, 82 and 84, 86 disposed generally within the lower end
of the skirt 4 and lower end of the rotating skirt 810. The locking
fasteners may comprise a pawl 80, 84 and a ledge or slot 82, 86
respectively disposed on the opposing first and second inside
surfaces 801 and 802, respectively, such that when brought together
to close the clasp hanger 25P, the pawl 80, 84 enters and is
retained by the slot 82, 86 with sufficient tension to clamp
together the skirt 4 and the rotating skirt 810.
[0155] To afford reversible attachment of the clasp hanger 25P to
the storage bag 8, provision may be given to the clasp hanger 25P
to reversibly anchor to the storage bag 8. The provision to anchor
the said hanger to the storage bag 8 may be given by the pawls 80
and 84 being sized and formed to co-operate with the slots 82, 86
and the material of the header 114 of the storage bag 8 that the
two-piece locking fasteners 80, 82 and 84, 86 may engage through
the header 114 by deforming or puncturing the header inside surface
112 and the header outside surface 113 to secure the storage bag 8
in hanging fashion from the pawls 80 and 84. The provision to
remove the clasp hanger 25P from the storage bag 8 may be given by
the pawls 80 and 84 being sized to disengage from the slots 82, 86
when moderate separating force between the skirt 4 and the rotating
skirt 810 is applied. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the slots 82, 86, the pawls 80, 84, the header
114, the material of the header 114, and the material of the clasp
hanger 25P, reversible attachment of the clasp hanger 25P to the
storage bag 8 may be afforded.
[0156] To afford alignment of a hanging collection of the storage
bags 8, provision may be given to the clasp hanger 25P to
horizontally and vertically register with the storage bag 8 before
attachment so that the pawls 80, 84 can puncture or deform the
header 114 at known locations. In the alternative embodiment best
viewed in FIG. 4G, the pawl-hanger 966 has downwardly extending
registration tab 127 integrally formed with part of the lower end
of the holding section 72 where the bottom edge of the registration
tab 127 may align with the bottom edge of the skirt 4. The holding
section 72 has the bottom edge 427. The registration tab 127
includes outside edge 811. Referring to FIG. 19, the pawls 80, 84
have centerpoints P80, P84, respectively, disposed on horizontal
center-line C812. The horizontal center-line C812 is vertically
disposed from the bottom edge 944 of the lip 955 a vertical length
dimension L26. The horizontal length dimensions L27, L87 sizes the
horizontal separation of the outside edge 811 from the centerpoints
P80, P84 of pawls 80, 84, respectively. When the storage bag 8 is
attached to the clasp hanger 25P, as described below, parts of the
storage bag 8 are disposed against the outside edge 811, the bottom
edge 944, and the bottom edge 427. The provision to horizontally
and vertically register the clasp hanger 25P to the storage bag 8
may be given by the horizontal length dimensions L27, L87 spacing
the pawls 80, 84 from the outside edge 811, the vertical length
dimension L26 spacing of the pawls 80, 84 from the bottom edge 944
of the lip 955, and the alignment of the bottom edge 944 with the
bottom edge 427. By virtue of the relationships and engagements
among the pawls 80, 84, the bottom edge 944, the bottom edge 427,
and the outside edge 811, the alignment of a hanging collection of
the storage bags 8 may be afforded.
[0157] To afford an evenly loaded storage bag 8 attached to the
clasp hanger 25P to hang substantially vertical, provision may be
given to the clasp hanger 25P to align the load-contact point P32
coincident with the storage bag center-line C10 and to dispose the
center-line C10 substantially vertical. In the alternative
embodiment best illustrated in FIG. 19, the outside edge 811 of the
registration tab 127 is horizontally disposed from the load-contact
point P32 a horizontal length dimension L34. The horizontal length
dimension L87 sizing the separation of the outside edge 811 from
the pawl center-point P84 is at least as big as the edge-to-point
horizontal dimension L34. As may be viewed in FIG. 21, the
horizontal length dimension L34 is substantially equal to the
horizontal length dimension L33 sizing the separation of the
storage bag center-line C10 from the storage bag side edge 15. The
horizontal length dimension L33 is one half of the horizontal
length dimension L13 of the storage bag 8. Provision to provide
alignment of the load-contact point P32 coincident with the storage
bag center-line C10 may be given by the length dimension L34 being
substantially equal to the length dimension L33. When storage bag 8
is attached to the clasp hanger 25P, as described below, the
storage bag center-line C10 is disposed substantially vertical and
substantially coincident with the load-contact point P32 and is
disposed between the anchoring pawls 80, 84 so that the load from
an evenly loaded storage bag 8 will not have a moment about the
load-contact point P32. Provision may be also given by the
load-contact point P32 being horizontally disposed between the
anchoring pawls 80, 84. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the outside edge 811, the load-contact point P32,
the bag anchoring pawls 80, 84 of the clasp hanger 25P, and the
interior corner 923 and the horizontal length dimension L33 of the
storage bag 8, the evenly loaded storage bag 8 attached to the
clasp hanger 25P may be afforded to hang substantially vertical
from the support rod 7.
[0158] Referring to FIG. 22, to afford opening the storage bag 8,
as described below, when it is attached to the clasp hanger 25P,
provision may be given to the clasp hanger 25P to have the side
edges 14 and 15 of the storage bag 8 be able to fold around the
vertical edges of the skirt 4 and the rotating skirt 810 so that
the closure profiles 17 and 18 can be maximally separated when the
storage bag 8 is opened. In the alternative embodiment best
illustrated in FIG. 21, the storage bag side edge 14 is spaced
apart from the storage bag side edge 15 the horizontal length
dimension L13. The skirt 4 has the outer vertical edges 281, 291
spaced apart the horizontal length dimension L17. (See FIG. 19.)
The rotating skirt 810 has its outer vertical edges spaced apart a
horizontal length dimension equal to L17. When storage bag 8 is
attached to clasp hanger 25P as described below, the skirt 4 may be
horizontally centered on the header 114. Provision to provide the
ability for the storage bag 8 to fold around the vertical edges of
the skirt 4 or the rotating skirt 810 may be given by the
horizontal length dimension L17 of the skirts 4, 810 being
significantly smaller than the horizontal length dimension L13 of
the said storage bag. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the horizontal length dimension L13 of the said
storage bag, and the horizontal length dimension L17 of the skirts
of the said hanger, the opening of the storage bag 8, as described
below, may be afforded.
[0159] Referring to FIG. 21, in use, to vertically locate the pawls
80, 84 on the storage bag 8 the clasp hanger 25P is registered with
the storage bag 8 by straddling the hanger over the top edge 312 of
the header 114 so that the skirt 4 and the rotating skirt 810 are
disposed on opposite sides of the header 114: The skirt 4 is
disposed between the sidewall 11 and the sidewall 12, and the
living hinge 172 is disposed above the top edge 312. For horizontal
registration of the pawls 80, 84, the outside edge 811 of the
registration tab 127 is abutted against the interior corner 923 of
the storage bag 8. For vertical registration, the top edge 312 of
the storage bag 8 is disposed adjacent the bottom edge 944 of the
lip 955 and adjacent the bottom edge 427 of the holding section
72.
[0160] In use, to attach the clasp hanger 25P to the storage bag 8,
the clasp hanger 25P is registered with storage bag 8, as described
above, and the clasp hanger 25P is closed to force the pawls 80, 84
to pierce or deform the header 114. Then, the interior corner 923
of the storage bag 8 is pulled down, away from the outside edge 811
of the registration tab 127, and released so that the sidewalls 11,
12 are disposed together on the same side of the registration tab
127.
[0161] In use, once attached, the clasp hanger 25P is prevented
from moving either vertically or horizontally relative to the
header 114. Preferably, the clasp hanger 25P has a normally flat,
relaxed configuration when assembled in the storage bag 8. The
provision to detach the clasp hanger 25P from the storage bag 8 may
be given by the pawls 80, 84 being sized to disengage from the
slotsrotating flap 82, 86 when moderate separating force between
the skirt 4 and the rotating skirt 810 is applied so that the
retaining tension of said slots with said pawls is overcome, should
such detachment be desirable.
[0162] To assemble the clasp hanger 25P, the parts A of the
pawl-hanger 966 are aligned with the parts B of the rotating skirt
810 and the hinge pin 499 is disposed securely and co-radially with
parts A and parts B to form the living hinge 172.
[0163] Generally, to reversibly anchor the clasp hanger 25P to the
storage bag 8,2.5 mm to 3.5 mm diameter pawls with substantially
defined edges deform or puncture plastic film or thin film
materials better than larger diameter pawls with rounder edges.
[0164] As best viewed in FIG. 4B, there is illustrated at 25D an
articulated hanger that is an alternative embodiment of the hanger
of the present invention that may be attached to the resealable bag
508 illustrated in FIG. 2B. The articulated hanger 25D may be
fabricated as an injection molded component and assembled from
three hinged-together parts, hinged-hanger 369, rotating arm 361,
and second rotating flap 387d. The hinged-hanger 369 and the
rotating arm 361 fold together along living hinge 174, and the
hinged-hanger 369 and second rotating flap 387d fold together along
living hinge 175d (not shown).
[0165] As best seen in FIG. 12, the hinged-hanger 369 may embody
the template hanger 25 so that any or all of the features of the
template hanger 25 may be included in the hinged-hanger 369. The
label section 77 may include the downwardly projecting label tab
78. The arm 29 may be extended and merged with the downwardly
projecting label tab 78 of the label section 77. The hinged-hanger
369 has fixed skirt section 371 defined to include the arms 28, 29,
the lower portion of the head 26, and the downwardly projecting
label tab 78. The vertical load-contact plane 700 contains the
load-contact point P32 and is perpendicular to the front planar
surface 917.
[0166] Referring to FIG. 13, the hinged-hanger 369 is hinged to the
rotating arm 361 along the living hinge 174. The living hinge 174
has one or more tubular parts C and one or more tubular parts D
aligned adjacent to each other in alternating fashion that the
center-lines of the tubular parts C and D are co-linear with
center-line C102. The tubular parts C and D have equal inside
diameters and wall thicknesses. The parts C of the living hinge 174
are integrally formed with the front planar surface 917 where the
center-line C102 is disposed slightly inclined from vertical away
from holding section 72 (See FIG. 7C). The parts D of the living
hinge 174 are integrally formed with slightly inclined side edge
819 of the rotating arm 361 where the center-line C102 is disposed
parallel the inclined side edge 819. The living hinge 174 has hinge
pin 498 sized and disposed to secure the parts C to the parts D in
rotating hinge fashion about the center-line C102. The rotating arm
361 has front surface 364 opposite the first contact surface 382
(hidden from view).
[0167] Referring to FIG. 13, the articulated hanger 25D has second
contact surface 381 disposed on the hinged-hanger 369 co-planar
with the front planar surface 917 and opposite the first contact
surface 382 (hidden from view) disposed on the rotating arm 361.
Referring to FIG. 15, when second contact surface 381 is rotated
about the living hinge 174 to be disposed opposite and parallel to
the first contact surface 382, the articulated hanger 25D is
closed.
[0168] Referring to FIG. 14, distal end 390 of the rotating arm 361
is integrally formed with a merged first leg of a U-shaped channel
451. The U-shaped channel 451 has clamp first leg 453 separated
from the first leg by channel 460 having channel width dimension
490. The channel 460 has channel opening 452 disposed to face the
living hinge 174 (not shown), and has inside channel surface 454
(not shown) disposed on the clamp first leg 453. Area 363 is
disposed on the front surface 364 opposite the inside channel
surface 454. Disposed on the area 363 is a through hole or void
365.
[0169] Referring to FIG. 15, to maintain the articulated hanger 25D
closed, the second contact surface 381 (not shown) and the first
contact surface 382 (not shown) may include integral, two-piece
locking fastener 184, 182. The locking fastener may comprise a
ledge or slot 182 (best viewed in FIG. 13) disposed on the first
contact surface 382 of the rotating arm 361 intermediate of the
through hole or void 365 and the living hinge 174. And, may
comprise a pawl 184 (best viewed in FIG. 12) disposed on the
opposing second contact surface 381 opposite the ledger or slot
182. When the articulated hanger 25D is closed, the pawl 184 is
entered and retained by the slot 182 with sufficient interference
or tension to hold together the rotating arm 361 and the fixed
skirt section 371 (as shown in FIG. 15). The pawl 184 is sized to
disengage from the slot 182 when moderate separating force between
the rotating arm 361 and the fixed skirt section 371 is applied
that the retaining tension of said slot with said pawl is overcome,
and the articulated hanger 25D is opened.
[0170] Referring to FIG. 16, the rotating arm 361 includes rotating
flap 387 hinged to the rotating arm 361 along living hinge 175. The
living hinge 175 has one or more tubular parts G and one or more
tubular parts H aligned adjacent to each other in alternating
fashion that the center-lines of the tubular parts G and H are
co-linear with center-line C105. The tubular parts G and H have
equal inside diameters and wall thicknesses. The parts G of the
living hinge 175 are integrally formed with the first contact
surface 382 of the rotating arm 361 where the center-line C105 is
disposed vertical and between the through hole or void 365 and the
living hinge 174 (not shown). The parts H of the living hinge 175
are integrally formed with the first rotating flap 387 where the
center-line C105 is disposed parallel to and near a vertical side
edge. The living hinge 175 has a hinge pin 497 sized and disposed
to secure the parts G to the parts H in rotating hinge fashion
about the center-line C105.
[0171] Articulated hanger 25D has the first contact surface 382
disposed on rotating arm 361. First flap surface 377 is disposed on
the first rotating flap 387 opposing the first contact surface 382.
When the first flap surface 377 is rotated about the living hinge
175 to be disposed opposite and parallel to the first contact
surface 382, the first rotating flap 387 is closed (as shown in
FIG. 15).
[0172] Referring to FIG. 16, the distal end 389 of the first
rotating flap 387 is integrally formed with a projection 397 having
front face 391 sized and disposed to be received in and through the
through hole or void 365 of the rotating arm 361 when the first
rotating flap 387 is closed.
[0173] The front face 391 has attached high-friction tape 392
having foam backing 393. The inside channel surface 454 (not shown)
has attached high-friction tape 394. When the first rotating flap
387 is closed, the high-friction tape 392 contacts the
high-friction tape 394 and the foam backing 393 is compressed to
cause clamping pressure between said high-friction tapes. The
high-friction tapes may be attached by adhesive.
[0174] Referring to FIG. 14, the first contact surface 382 (not
shown) and the first flap surface 377 may include integral,
two-piece locking fasteners 781, 782 and 785, 786. The locking
fasteners may comprise pawls 781, 785, respectively, disposed on
the first contact surface 382 of the rotating arm 361. And, may
comprise a ledge or slot 782, 786, respectively, disposed on the
opposing first flap surface 377 of the first rotating flap 387.
When the first rotating flap 387 is closed, the pawls 781, 785 are
entered into and retained by the ledges or slots 782, 786 with
sufficient tension or interference to compress foam backing 393
that clamping pressure between the high-friction tapes 392, 394 is
maintained. When the first rotating flap 387 is closed, the
high-friction tapes 392, 394 are clamped.
[0175] Best viewed in FIG. 17, the features and attributes of the
U-shaped channel 451 (not shown), the living hinge 175, the first
rotating flap 387, the through hole 365, and the high-friction
tapes 392, 394 are duplicated and integrally formed on the fixed
skirt section 371 as though generally mirrored across the
load-contact plane 700 when the articulated hanger 25D is
closed.
[0176] Identifiers for the duplicated features or attributes are
referenced and are labeled in all appropriate figures as a
concatenation of the identifier of the original feature or
attribute and the suffix "d". Additionally, all references to
"first" in the context of an original feature or attribute is given
as "second" in the context of the mirrored duplicate. As an
example, "first rotating flap 387" is mirrored through the
load-contact plane 700 to be "second rotating flap 387d" disposed
on the fixed skirt section 371.
[0177] To afford reversibly attaching the articulated hanger 25D to
the storage bag 508 having moderate load, provision may be given to
the articulated hanger 25D to secure to the storage bag 508. In the
alternative embodiment best viewed in FIG. 18 and FIG. 14, the
channel width dimension 490, 490d is sized to comfortably allow the
side edges 514, 515 of the storage bag 508 to be received through
the channel opening 452, 452d into the channel 460, 460d,
respectively. The high-friction tape pairs 392, 394, and 392d, 394d
clamp securely the thin-film material of the storage bag 508
adjacent the side edges 514, 515, when the first, second rotating
flaps 387, 387d are maintained closed and the foam backings 393,
393d are compressed, respectively. The provision to secure the
articulated hanger 25D to the storage bag 508 may be given by the
compressible foam backings 393, 393d clamping said high-friction
tape pairs 392, 394 and 392d, 394d, respectively, against the
storage bag 508, and the two piece locking fasteners 781, 782; 785,
786, and 781d, 782d; 785d, 786d, respectively, maintaining said
foam backings compressed. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the high friction tapes 392, 394 and 392d, 394d,
the foam backings 393, 393d, the two piece locking fasteners 781,
782; 785, 786, and 781d, 782d; 785d, 786d, and the material of the
storage bag 508, reversible attachment of the articulated hanger
25D to the storage bag 508 may be afforded.
[0178] To afford vertical alignment of a moderately and evenly
loaded storage bag 508 attached to the articulated hanger 25D that
hangs from the support rod 7, provision may be given to the
articulated hanger 25D to roughly align the center-line of an
attached storage bag 508 with the vertical load-contact plane 700.
In the alternative embodiment best viewed in FIG. 17, the vertical
load-contact plane 700 (shown on edge) of the articulated hanger
25D intersects with the load-contact point P32 and is centered
between the high friction tape pairs 392, 394 and 392d, 394d. The
said tape pairs grip the sidewalls adjacent the side edges 514, 515
of the storage bag 508 to secure the articulated hanger 25D to the
storage bag 508. Referring to FIG. 3B, the storage bag center-line
C510 is centered between the side edges 514 and 515. The provision
to align a moderately and evenly loaded storage bag to hang
vertical from the support rod 7 may be given by the load-contact
plane 700 being disposed coincident with the center-line C510 when
the articulated hanger 25D is attached (as described below) to the
storage bag 508 by said high-friction tape pairs clamping near said
side edges. By virtue of the relationships and engagements among
the vertical plane 700, the high friction tape pairs 392, 394 and
392d, 394d, the load-contact point P32, the storage bag center-line
C10, and the side edges 514 and 515, vertical alignment of the
moderately and evenly loaded storage bag 508 attached to the
articulated hanger 25D that hangs from the support rod 7 may be
afforded.
[0179] To afford opening the storage bag 508 when it is attached to
the articulated hanger 25D, provision may be given to the
articulated hanger 25D to open an access to the interior of said
storage bag. In the alternative embodiment best viewed in FIG. 18,
the high friction tape pairs 392, 394 and 392d, 394d, respectively,
move in an arc towards each other when the rotating arm 361 rotates
about the living hinge 174. When the storage bag 508 is attached
(as described below) to the articulated hanger 25D the storage
bag's sidewalls adjacent the side edges 514, 515 are clamped
between the said high friction tape pairs. In use (as described
below) when the side edges 514, 515 are free to move towards each
other and the profiles 517, 518 are separated, the sidewalls 511,
512 may be pulled apart to open the pouch access 519A. The
provision to have the side edges 514, 515 of the storage bag 508
move towards each other when the storage bag 508 is attached to the
articulated hanger 25D may be given by the high friction tape pairs
392, 394 and 392d, 394d, respectively, clamping near the side edges
514, 515 and rotating about the living hinge 174. By virtue of the
relationships and engagements among the high friction tape pairs
392, 394 and 392d, 394d, and the living hinge 174 of the
articulated hanger 25D, and the side edges 514, 515 and sidewalls
511, 512 of the storage bag 508, the opening of the storage bag 508
when it is attached to the articulated hanger 25D may be
afforded.
[0180] To afford secure closure of the articulated hanger 25D when
it is attached to the storage bag 508, provision may be given to
the articulated hanger 25D to be bias closed. In the alternative
embodiment best viewed in FIG. 7C, when the articulated hanger 25D
is closed the pawl 184 is received and retained in slot 182. A
source of bias for the articulated hanger 25D to stay closed may be
given by the degree of interference between the pawl 184 and the
slot 182 keeping both together. Another source of bias for the
articulated hanger 25D to stay closed may be given by the degree of
incline from vertical that the living hinge 174 is disposed. The
provision to bias articulated hanger to its closed position may be
given by the degree of interference between pawl 184 and slot 182,
and by the degree of incline from vertical living hinge 174 is
disposed. By virtue of the relationships and engagements among the
pawl 184, the slot 182, and the degree of incline of the living
hinge 174, secure closure of the articulated hanger 25D when it is
attached to the storage bag 508 may be afforded.
[0181] To afford securing the articulated hinge 25D closed when it
is attached to the storage bag 508 and being manipulated while
hanging on the support rod 7, provision may be given to the
articulated hinge 25D to minimize the forces tending to open the
articulated hanger 25D. In the alternative embodiment best
illustrated in FIG. 13, the rotating arm 361 has upwardly
projecting head section 373 having J-shaped slot 230 similar in
form and function to the J-shaped slot 23 of the hinged hanger 369,
shown in FIG. 12. The J-shaped slot 230 helps distribute the load
from the storage bag 508 secured between the U-shaped channel 451
of the rotating arm 361 and the U-shaped channel 451d of the hinged
hanger 369. The load is distributed onto the support rod 7 to
minimize the inertial forces between, and tending to separate,
hinged-hanger 369 and rotating arm 361, when the storage bag 508 is
moved or rotated about support rod 7. The provision to bias the
articulated hanger 25D closed may be given by the J-shaped slot 230
and the J-shaped slot 23 cooperating to distribute the load, from
the secured storage bag 508, onto the support rod 7. By virtue of
the relationships and engagements among the J-shaped slot 230, the
J-shaped slot 23, the storage bag 508, and the support rod 7, the
secured closure of the articulated hanger 25D when it is attached
to the storage bag 508 and manipulated while hanging on the support
rod 7 may be afforded.
[0182] Referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 14, in use, to attach the
articulated hanger 25D to the storage bag 508, the side edge 514 of
the storage bag 508 is disposed in the channel 460, between the
through hole or void 365 of the rotating arm 361 and the
high-friction tape 394 (not shown) of the U-shaped channel 451. The
closure device 516 and the closure slider 615 of the storage bag
508 (best viewed in FIG. 3B) are disposed above the U-shaped
channel 451 so that the closure slider 615 is fully accessible and
movable. The rotating flap 387 is positioned closed with the side
edge 514 clamped between the high-friction tapes 392, 394 (not
shown). Similarly, the side edge 515 of the storage bag 508 is
disposed in the channel 460d (not shown) between the through hole
or void 365d (not shown) and the high-friction tape 394d (not
shown) of the U-shaped channel 451d, that the closure device 516 is
disposed above the U-shaped channel 451d and that the closure
slider 615 is fully accessible and movable. The rotating flap 387d
is positioned closed with the side edge 515 clamped between the
high-friction tapes 392d, 394d (not shown). The storage bag 508 is
opened as described below to give access to the interior of storage
bag 508. A movable locking slot 616 is repositioned from a pawl 617
(See FIG. 13) disposed above the closure device 516, to a pawl 618
(not shown) from within the storage bag 508, to attach by
puncturing or deforming the sidewall 512 to the hinged-hanger 369.
Said sidewall attachment improves how easily the closure profiles
517, 518 pull apart when the storage bag 508 is opened as described
below.
[0183] In use, to open the storage bag 508 with the profiles 517,
518 occluded while said bag is attached to the articulated hanger
25D, the user holds the closure device 516 adjacent the closure
slider 615, with a first hand. With the second hand the closure
slider 615 is moved to disengage the closure profiles 517, 518. The
locking fastener pawl 184 and slot 182 parts are unlocked, to open
the articulated hanger 25D, by folding the distal end 390 of the
rotating arm 361 about the living hinge 174 towards the holding
section 72. The second hand is re-positioned to hold the
hinged-hanger 369 in the area adjacent the living hinge 174. The
first hand is re-positioned to grip the closure profile 518 and
pull it away from the closure profile 517, that the articulated
hanger 25D folds about living hinge 174 and the side edges 514, 515
of the storage bag 508 move towards each other. As said closure
profiles separate, the pouch access 519A to the interior of the
storage bag 508 is opened between the articulated hanger 25D and
the sidewall 512 on one side of the pouch access 519A and the
sidewall 511 on the opposing side of the pouch access 519A.
[0184] In use, to reseal the storage bag 508 with profiles 517, 518
separated while said storage bag is secured to the articulated
hanger 25D, the user closes the hanger to engage the pawl 184 with
the slot 182, and seals the pouch access 519A to the interior of
the storage bag 508 by moving the closure slider 615 to engage the
closure profiles 517, 518. The storage bag 508 and/or the rotating
arm 361 is held with a first hand and the closure slider 615 is
moved to occlude the closure profiles 517, 518 with the second
hand.
[0185] Other possible alternative two-piece locking fasteners
well-known in the art may include a garment type snap fastener (not
shown) or a stud and grommet fastener (not shown). Many variations
of such locking fasteners are possible, the intent herein being to
illustrate several possible ways to implement the locking fastener
to secure the hinged halves together. The locking fasteners, in any
embodiment of the present invention, may be formed as piercing
fasteners with the locking means supplied by an inverted, U-shaped,
resilient clip 64 (also referred to in the prior art as a spring
clip) fitted over the folded associated living hinge. The mechanism
of the resilient clip 64 is not illustrated here as examples of a
spring clip exists in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,629 to
Shrader et al. describes and illustrates a spring clip of suitable
design for use with the invention described herein. As an example,
the resilient clip 64 around living hinge 174 may act to firmly
secure the articulated hanger 25D closed. A pair of grooves 68,
each disposed on the outsides of the hinged-hanger 369 and rotating
arm 361 are provided to retain the resilient clip 64 in position.
When installed, the lower edges of the resilient clip 64 engage the
grooves 68 to retain the resilient clip 64 against the closed body
of the articulated hanger 25D. The clip may preferably be
fabricated of a resilient metal spring stock such as spring steel.
Similarly, two-piece locking fasteners 80, 82 and 84, 86 are formed
as inverted, U-shaped, resilient clips fitted over the folded
living hinges 175, and 175d, respectively. In cooperation with the
resilient clip the pawls of the locking fasteners may be formed
mainly to puncture the header material of a storage bag.
[0186] Any locking fastener employed should, of course, be
configured for repeated cycles of reuse. The hangers described
above may be fabricated, including the locking fastener features,
e.g., by injection molding, of a thermoplastic material such as
polypropylene or the like having the strength, resilience,
flexibility and other properties adequate to provide the living
hinge feature and support the intended loads stored in the
resealable storage bag 8 or the storage bag 508. Such material
provides a molded article that is rigid yet includes a "living
hinge" that retains its flexibility and durability through many
repetitions of fold and unfold cycles.
[0187] Referring to FIG. 27, there is illustrated at 25F a folding
hanger that is an alternative embodiment of the hanger of the
present invention that may be attached to the resealable bag 508
illustrated in FIG. 2B. The folding hanger 25F is an alternative
embodiment of the articulated hanger 25D where the living hinges
174, 175, and 175d have been replaced by foldable connecting bridge
members 774, 171, and 171d, respectively, and the pawl 184 and the
slot 182 of the articulated hanger 25D replaced by a latch 701 and
shoulder step 703. The shoulder step 703 includes shoulder
703A.
[0188] The foldable connecting bridge members 171, 171d, may be
disposed with their folding axises horizontal, and their associated
locking fasteners shown represented as foam backing 393
appropriately repositioned.
[0189] The latch 701 may be disposed on one side of the bridge
member 774 and have a distal end lip 702 formed to engage the
shoulder step 703 disposed on the opposite side of the bridge
member 774. When the bridge member 774 is straightened the distal
end lip 702 and shoulder 703A engage by the latch 701 being
flexed-dragged over the shoulder step 703 to straighten and rest on
the shoulder 703A. The shoulder step 703 is formed to facilitate
the latch engaging the shoulder and resist the latch disengaging
the shoulder. The shoulder 703A restrains the distal end lip 702
from bending away from its straight and rest position. When the
distal end lip 702 and shoulder 703A are engaged, folding the
bridge member 774 requires a minimum threshold of force to overcome
the resistance cased by the distal end lip 702 resting on the
shoulder 703A.
[0190] It may be that the high-friction tapes 392, 394 and 392d,
394d are replaced singly or in cooperating pairs by textured
surfaces. It may be that the securing provision utilizing
high-friction tapes 392, 394 and 392d, 394d is replaced by one or
more pawl and slot locking fasteners that puncture the sidewalls
511, 512 of the storage bag 508. It may be that the fasteners are
sized not to puncture the sidewalls 511, 512 of the storage bag
508, but only deform the sidewalls and securely hold them. The
fasteners are similar in design and function to the two-piece
locking fasteners described for the clasp hanger 25P above.
[0191] The embodiments of the articulated hangers described above
are illustrative of those embodiments that simply clamp on or
around the existing sides of the resealable storage bag 508. Thus,
no modification to the structure of the storage bag 508 is
required.
[0192] To assemble the articulated hanger 25D, (referring to FIG.
13) the parts C of the hinged-hanger 369 are aligned with the parts
D of the rotating arm 361 and the hinge pin 498 is disposed
securely and co-radially with parts C and parts D to form the
living hinge 174; (referring to FIG. 16) the parts G of the
rotating arm 361 are aligned with the parts H of the first rotating
flap 387 and the hinge pin 497 is disposed securely and co-radially
with parts G and parts H to form living hinge 175; the parts Gd of
the hinged-hanger 369 are aligned with the parts Hd of the second
rotating flap 387d and the hinge pin 497d is disposed securely and
co-radially with parts Gd and parts Hd to form living hinge 175d;
the high-friction tape pairs 392, 394 and 392d, 394d are attached
by their adhesives to first rotating flap 387, clamp first leg 453,
and second rotating flap 387d, clamp second leg 453d, respectively,
and; (referring to FIG. 18) movable locking slot 616 is positioned
on the pawl 617.
[0193] In another embodiment of the present invention, zip hanger
shown as 25Z in FIG. 24 (the sidewall 11 is shown transparent), may
be attached to the embodiment of a resealable storage bag 8
illustrated in FIG. 3A. The zip hanger 25Z may embody the template
hanger 25 so that any or all of the features of the template hanger
25 may be included in the zip hanger 25Z.
[0194] To afford reversible attachment the zip hanger 25Z to the
storage bag 8 having moderate load, provision may be given to the
zip hanger 25Z to vertically and horizontally secure to the storage
bag 8. In the alternative embodiment best viewed in FIG. 24, male
closure profile 717 is a duplicate of the male closure profile 17
of the storage bag 8, and is horizontally disposed and co-molded or
fused to the front planar surface 917 (not shown) of the skirt 4 of
the zip hanger 25Z. Female closure profile 718 is a duplicate of
the female closure profile 18 of the storage bag 8, and is
horizontally disposed and co-molded or fused to the back planar
surface 918 of the skirt 4 of the zip hanger 25Z. The horizontal
length of the closure profiles 717 and 718 given by horizontal
length dimension L41 is slightly less than the edge-to-edge
horizontal length dimension L13 of storage bag 8. (The "slightly
less" quality of the horizontal length dimension L41 may not be
adequately illustrated in FIG. 24 to better show other aspects of
the embodiment.)
[0195] The provision for vertically securing the said hanger to the
storage bag 8 may be given by the male closure profile 717 being
able to mate with the female closure profile 18 of the storage bag
8, and the female closure profile 718 being able to mate with the
male closure profile 17 of the storage bag 8. The provision for
horizontally securing the said hanger to the storage bag 8 may be
given by the horizontal length dimension L41 allowing closure
profiles 717, and 718 to maximally extend between the side edges of
the storage bag 8 to minimize lateral displacement of said bag
relative to said hanger. By virtue of the relationships and
engagements among the closure profiles 17 and 18 of the storage bag
8, and the closure profiles 717 and 718 of the zip hanger 25Z,
reversible attachment of the said hanger to the storage bag 8 may
be afforded.
[0196] In use, the storage bag 8 is attached the zip hanger 25Z by
engaging the male, female closure profiles 717, 718 of the zip
hanger 25Z with the female, male closure profiles 18, 17 of the
storage bag 8, respectively.
[0197] In use, the storage bag 8 attached to the zip hanger 25Z is
opened by disengaging either of the two male-female closure
profiles 717-18 or 17-718 so that the zip hanger 25Z is still
secured to the storage bag 8 by the remaining engaged male-female
closure profiles.
[0198] In another embodiment of the present invention, pinned
hanger shown as 25R in FIG. 4E, may be attached to the embodiment
of the resealable storage bags 8E illustrated in FIG. 3E. The
pinned hanger 25R may embody the tabbed hanger 25W so that any or
all of the features of the tabbed hanger 25W may be included in the
pinned hanger 25R.
[0199] The pinned hanger 25R has downwardly extending pin-hold tab
721 integrally formed with part of the lower end of the holding
section 72 where the bottom edge of the pin-hold tab 721 may align
with the bottom edge of the arm 29. The pin-hold tab 721 is
integrally formed with horizontally disposed pin holder 621 that
has holder entrance 622, and that is sized to securely receive and
hold piercing pin 623. The piercing pin 623 includes shaft 624
having piercing end 625 and pushing end 626. The piercing end 625
is shaped and sized to pierce the thin film material that forms the
header 114 of storage bags 8C, 8E. The pushing end 626 is shaped
and sized to comfortably accept the user's finger or thumb that may
push the piercing pin to puncture the header 114.
[0200] To afford reversible attachment of the storage bag 8E to the
pinned hanger 25R, provision may be given to the pinned hanger 25R
to secure to the storage bag 8E. (The same provision may be used to
attach to storage bag 8C.) In the illustrated embodiment best
viewed in FIG. 4E, the pinned hanger 25R has the horizontal length
dimension L17 spacing apart the shoulders 36 and 37. The dimension
L17 is equal to or slightly less than the horizontal length
dimension L903 spacing apart the horizontal extents of the header
opening 919 (best viewed in FIG. 3E). The provision to secure the
said hanger to the storage bag 8E may be given by the horizontal
length dimension L17 being equal to or slightly greater than the
horizontal length dimension L903 so that the header opening 919 may
straddle and stretch across the said hanger's shoulders 36, 37 and
dispose the storage bag 8E to hang from the projecting tabs 34, 35
(best viewed in FIG. 9). And, provision may be given by the header
114 being foldable across the holder entrance 622 and pinnable to
the hanger by the piercing end 625 puncturing the header 114 to be
received in the pin holder 621. The provision to reverse the
securing may be given by the piercing pin being removable from the
pin holder 621, and the header opening 919 being removable from the
projecting tabs 34, 35.
[0201] By virtue of the relationships and engagements among the
horizontal length dimension L17, the projecting tabs 34, 35, the
horizontal length dimension L903, the holder entrance 622, the
piercing end 625, the piercing pin 623, the pin holder 621, and the
header 114, reversible attachment of the storage bag 8E to the
pinned hanger 25R may be afforded.
[0202] In use, as best viewed in FIG. 9, the storage bag 8E is
reversibly anchored to the pinned hanger 25R by disposing the
hanger in an approximately horizontal plane and inserting the
projecting tabs 34, 35, and the head 26 through the header opening
919 of sidewall 12. And, rotating the hanger to dispose the hanger
in an approximately vertical plane. Then, partially pulling the
hanger back through the header opening 919 that the hanger is
disposed between sidewall 12 and sidewall 11 and the tabs are
disposed on the opposite side of sidewall 12. It may be that the
header opening 919 needs to be eased-stretched over the top corner
adjacent shoulder 36. The storage bag 8E may now hang from the
projecting tabs 34, 35. Then, the header 114 of sidewall 12 is
folded across the holder entrance 622 (not shown) and punctured by
the piercing end 625 (not shown) of piercing pin 623 so that the
piercing end is securely received in the holder entrance 622. The
storage bag 8E may now hang from the piercing pin 623 and from the
projecting tabs 34, 35.
[0203] In another embodiment of the present invention, one-tab
hanger shown as 25H in FIG. 4D, may be attached with the embodiment
of the resealable storage bag 8D illustrated in FIG. 3D. The
one-tab hanger 25H may embody the template hanger 25 so that any
and all of the features of the template hanger 25 may be included
in the one-tab hanger 25H.
[0204] To afford reversible attachment of the storage bag 8D to the
one-tab hanger 25H, provision may be given to secure the one-tab
hanger 25H to the storage bag 8D. In the illustrated embodiment
best viewed in FIG. 4D, the arm 29 of the one-tab hanger 25H is
integrally formed with a horizontally disposed pin holder that is a
duplicate, in form and function of the horizontally disposed pin
holder 621 of the pinned hanger 25R, and so is identically
referenced. The one-tab hanger 25H has horizontally disposed pin
holder 621 that has holder entrance 622, and that is sized to
securely receive and hold piercing pin 623. The piercing pin 623
includes shaft 624 having piercing end 625 and pushing end 626. The
piercing end 625 is shaped and sized to pierce the material that
forms the header 114 of storage bag 8D. The pushing end 626 is
shaped and sized to comfortably accept the user's finger or thumb
that may push the piercing pin to puncture the header 114. The
one-tab hanger 25H has tab 734 extending laterally from the arm 28.
The tab 734 is sized to be tightly received in the through hole or
void 819A of the storage bag 8D. The provision for securing the
said hanger to the storage bag 8D may be given by the tab 734 being
equal to or slightly larger than the through hole or void 819A of
the storage bag 8D so that the said hole may tightly receive the
said tab 734, and the provision may be given by the header 114
being foldable across the holder entrance 622 and being pinnable to
the said hanger by the piercing end 625 of the piercing pin 623
puncturing the header 114 and being received in the pin holder 621.
The provision for reversing the securing may be given by piercing
pin being removable from the pin holder 621, and the header opening
819A being removable from the projecting tab 734. By virtue of the
relationships and engagements among the tab 734, the through hole
or void 819A, the holder entrance 622, the piercing end 625, the
piercing pin 623, the pin holder 621, and the header 114,
reversible attachment of the storage bag 8D to the one-tab hanger
25H may be afforded.
[0205] In use, as best viewed in FIG. 10, the storage bag 8 may be
reversibly attached to the one-tab hanger 25H by inserting the tab
734 through the through hole or void 819A so that the storage bag
8D partially hangs from the tab 734. Then, the header 114 is folded
across the holder entrance 622 and punctured by the piercing end
625 of piercing pin 623, so that the piercing end is securely
received in the pin holder 621 and the storage bag 8D hangs from
the piercing pin 623 and the tab 734.
[0206] In another embodiment of the present invention, 3-tab hanger
illustrated at 25M in FIG. 4I, may be attached to a bag
representative of the resealable storage bag 8F illustrated in FIG.
3F. The 3-tab hanger 25M may embody the tabbed hanger 25W (best
viewed in FIG. 4C) so that any or all of the features of the tabbed
hanger 25W may be included in 3-tab hanger 25M.
[0207] The 3-tab hanger 25M has downwardly extending stabilizing
tab 721a integrally formed with part of the lower end of the
holding section 72 where the bottom edge of the stabilizing tab
721a may align with the bottom edge of the arm 29. The stabilizing
tab 721a has vertical outside edge 721c.
[0208] The stabilizing tab 721a is integrally formed with outwardly
projecting holder tab 621a disposed on the vertical outside edge
721c and having a vertical width dimension 621b. The bottom edge of
the holder tab 621a is disposed above the bottom edge of
stabilizing tab 721a.
[0209] To afford reversible attachment of the storage bag 8F to the
3-tab hanger 25M, provision may be given to the 3-tab hanger 25M to
secure to the storage bag 8E. In the illustrated embodiment best
viewed in FIG. 4I, the 3-tab hanger 25M has the horizontal length
dimension L17 spacing apart the shoulders 36 and 37. The dimension
L17 is equal to or slightly less than the horizontal length
dimension L903 spacing apart the horizontal extents of the header
opening 919 (best viewed in FIG. 3F). The 3-tab hanger 25M has the
horizontal length dimension L17a spacing apart the vertical outside
edge 721c of the holder tab 621a from the load-contact point P32.
The dimension L17a is equal to or slightly greater than the
horizontal length dimension L904 spacing apart the vertical center
lines 919c, 919d of the apertures 919A, 919B (best viewed in FIG.
3F) from the vertical center-line C10. The diameter dimension L903A
is equal to or slightly smaller than the vertical width dimension
621b. The provision to secure the 3-tab hanger 25M to the storage
bag 8E may be given by the horizontal length dimension L17 being
equal to or slightly greater than the horizontal length dimension
L903 so that the header opening 919 may straddle and stretch across
the hanger's shoulders 36, 37 and dispose the storage bag 8E to
hang from the projecting tabs 34, 35 (best viewed in FIG. 9). The
provision to secure the 3-tab hanger 25M to the storage bag 8E may
be given by the horizontal length dimension L17a being equal to or
slightly greater than the horizontal length dimension L904 so that
the area between the header opening 919 and the aperture 919B or
919A of the storage bag 8F may stretch between the shoulder 36 and
the vertical edge 721c of the 3-tab hanger 25M. The provision to
secure the 3-tab hanger 25M to the storage bag 8E may be given by
the diameter dimension L903A of aperture 919B and 919A being equal
to or slightly smaller than the vertical width dimension 621b of
holder tab 621a that the aperture may stretch around the tab. By
virtue of the relationships and engagements among the horizontal
length dimension L17, the projecting tabs 34, 35, the horizontal
length dimension L903, the holder tab 621a, aperture 919A, or 919B,
and the resilience of the material of header 114, reversible
attachment of the storage bag 8E to the pinned hanger 25R may be
afforded.
[0210] In use, as best viewed in FIG. 9, the storage bag 8E is
reversibly anchored to the 3-tab hanger 25M by disposing the hanger
in an approximately horizontal plane and inserting the projecting
tabs 34, 35, and the head 26 through the header opening 919 of
sidewall 12.
[0211] Then, the holder tab 621a is inserted through the aperture
919A or 919B that header 114 abuts vertical outside edge 721c and
the hanger is rotated to be disposed in an approximately vertical
plane. Then, the hanger is partially withdrawn back through the
header opening 919 that the hanger is disposed between sidewall 12
and sidewall 11 and the tabs are disposed on the opposite side of
sidewall 12. It may be that the header opening 919 needs to be
eased-stretched over the top corner adjacent shoulder 36. The
storage bag 8E may now hang from the projecting tabs 34, 35 and the
holder tab 621a.
[0212] In another embodiment of the present invention,
arrowhead-tab hanger illustrated at 25N in FIG. 4J, may be attached
to a bag representative of the resealable storage bag 8E
illustrated in FIG. 3E. The arrowhead-tab hanger 25N may embody the
3-tab hanger 25M (See FIG. 4I) so that any or all of the features
of the 3-tab hanger 25M may be included in arrowhead-tab hanger
25N.
[0213] The outward edge of the holder tab 621a is merged with
arrowhead 880. Arrowhead 880 has arrowhead shoulder 882. The
arrowhead 880 has aggressively convergent end 881 that may pierce
the material constructing the header 114 of the storage bag 8 to
provide a pierced aperture into which may be received the holder
tab 621a. The piercing arrowhead removes the need for an aperture
such as aperture 919A or 919B to exist on the header 114 before
attachment as may be the case when using the 3-tab hanger 25M.
[0214] The provision to secure the arrowhead-tab hanger 25N to the
storage bag 8E may be given by the horizontal length dimension L17
being equal to or slightly greater than the horizontal length
dimension L903 so that the header opening 919 may straddle and
stretch across the said hanger's shoulders 36, 37 and dispose the
storage bag 8E to hang from the projecting tabs 34, 35. (Best
viewed in FIG. 9 where a similar attachment is shown for the pinned
hanger 25R.)
[0215] The provision to provide for securing the arrowhead-tab
hanger 25N to the storage bag 8 may be given by the convergent end
881 being able to pierce the header 114 to produce a pierced
aperture into which the holder tab 621a may be received and then
held from being released by the arrowhead shoulder 882. By virtue
of the relationships and engagements among the convergent end 881,
the holder tab 621a, the arrowhead shoulder 882 and the strength of
the material of the header 114, attaching the storage bag 8 to the
arrowhead-tab hanger 25N may be afforded.
[0216] In use, as best viewed in FIG. 9, the storage bag 8E is
reversibly attached to the arrowhead-tab hanger 25N by disposing
the hanger in an approximately horizontal plane and inserting the
projecting tabs 34, 35, and the head 26 through the header opening
919 of sidewall 12. Then, the hanger is rotated to be disposed
approximately vertical and parallel to the sidewall 12 of the bag,
and is partially withdrawn back through the header opening 919 that
the hanger is disposed between sidewall 12 and sidewall 11 and the
tabs are disposed on the opposite side of sidewall 12 as is the
head 26. It may be that the header opening 919 needs to be
eased-stretched over the top corner adjacent shoulder 36. The
storage bag 8E may now hang from the projecting tabs 34, 35.
Continuing with reversible attachment, the hanger is disposed
against the header 114 between the sidewalls 11 and 12, with one
hand, so that the arms 28, 29 are disposed parallel to the closure
device 16 and the head 26 projects above the header 114. The second
hand, bends the portion of the header 114 adjacent the side edge 15
a minimum of 90 degrees around the convergent end 881. Suddenly
forcefully the convergent end 881 is pulled into the header 114, or
alternatively, the header 114 suddenly forcefully is pushed onto
the convergent end 881 that the arrowhead 880 pierces the header
114 to form the pierced aperture 218. And then, pushing or pulling
continues until the tab 34A is received in the pierced aperture
218.
[0217] The above attachment of the storage bag 8E to the
arrowhead-tab hanger 25N may be reversed.
[0218] The provisions for attaching a valid hanger to a thin film
resealable storage bag may be use to attach a valid hanger to other
thin film containers or storage bags, or thin film sheets of
material. The terms "storage bag" and "material" include but is not
limited to paper, fabric, plastic, metal foil, and their
composites.
[0219] The provisions for attaching a valid hanger to a thin film
resealable storage bag disclosed above is by example only and not
meant to be an exhaustive disclosure of all appropriate provisions
of attachment.
[0220] The preferred and the alternative embodiments provided above
illustrate several of the ways the present invention may be
implemented. Some additional embodiments are contemplated that do
not require changing the design or production of the template
hanger 25, whereby the template hanger 25 may be installed and used
with existing resealable bags. A molded or stamped template hanger
25 attached to a resealable bag by adhesion bonding or thermal
welding are examples of embodiments that may not require structural
modification of the resealable bag.
[0221] An valid hanger may be fabricated by various means including
by injection molding, stamping, laser cutting, water jet cutting,
routering. The clasp hanger 25P and the articulated hanger 25D may
be best suited for injection molding. A valid hanger is formed to
be light weight.
[0222] A valid hanger may be attached and supplied with the
resealable storage bag, or sold separately to be attached by the
user to a suitable resealable storage bag supplied by a third
party, or spaced separate from the storage bag but made available
in the same package.
[0223] In the above disclosure, as a rough guide moderate load is
give as half a pound for a storage bag six inches wide.
[0224] Anyone skilled in the art will understand how to attach two
valid hangers to the opposing upper ends of a resealable storage
bag so that more weight may be stored in the same bag compared with
having only one valid hanger. A non-resealable storage bag
fabricated from film materials such as, for example, plastic,
paper, foil, or fabric may be attached to a valid hanger or a pair
of valid hangers and hung from the support rod 7. Where required by
a particular valid hanger the non-resealable storage bag may need
to be suitably prepared with apertures.
[0225] The preferred embodiment of the support rod 7 is shown at
823 in FIG. 25 for use with a pegboard or slatwall. The support rod
823 includes left, right corner rods 824, 825 support tube 829, and
stoppers 836, 837.
[0226] Referring to FIG. 26, left, right corner rods 824, 825 have
first ends 826, 827 that are formed to hook into pegboard 828 or
slatwall (not shown), intermediate section 830, 831 bent left,
right, and second ends 832, 833 that cooperate with each other to
slide into left end 835, right end 834 of the tube 829 and suspend
the tube 829 horizontal and parallel to the pegboard 828,
respectively.
[0227] The provision to suspend the tube 829 may be given by the
first ends 826, 827 of the corner rods 824, 825 being hooked into
pegboard and the second ends 832, 833 being sleeved by the left end
835, the right end 834 of the tube 829, respectively. Referring to
FIG. 25, in use, the second ends 832, 833 of the right corner rod
824, left corner rod 825 are sleeved by the left end 835, the right
end 834 of the tube 829, and then the assembly has the first ends
826, 827 of the corner rods 824, 825 horizontally adjusted to hook
into the pegboard 828, respectively.
[0228] Referring to FIG. 25, The packages 9 (not shown) are
confined to be supported on the tube 829 by the stoppers 836, 837
being secured to the tube 829 to preventing packages 9 sliding past
the ends of the tube 829. The stoppers 836, 837 may be stretched
rubber or silicone tubing.
[0229] Referring to FIG. 26, in use, to assemble support rod 823
the stoppers 836, 837 are fitted over the left, right end 835, 834
of the tube 829. Then, the second ends 832, 833 of the corner rods
824, 825 are sleeved into the tube 829, respectively.
[0230] Once assembled the support rod 823 may be mounted onto a
pegboard as a regular pegboard hook is mounted. For mounting onto a
slatwall a retaining band 849 may be attached onto and disposed
between the first ends 826, 827 to keep the corner rods 824, 825
from separating. Attachment may be by openings 849A, 849B on the
retaining band 849 that accept all or part of the first ends 826,
827 and not interfere with their mounting.
[0231] Alternative embodiments of support rod 7 may be realized by
substituting an appropriate form for the first ends 826, 827 to
mate with different support mediums. Examples of support mediums
that have mating forms that may substitute for the first ends 826,
827 and known to the art are, gridwall, slatwall, slotted standard,
and vertical slot standard. The standards are commonly used to
support wire or board shelving.
* * * * *