Method and device for holding reclosable thermoplastic slider bags

Abstract

A holding device for thermoplastic bags utilizes bags having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a slider for opening and closing the closure strips. The holding device comprises a support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel therebetween. The channel has a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider and a second section for receiving only the closure strips but not the slider. The channel further has a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the closure strips through the slot.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end and a slider for opening and closing the reclosable seal, the holding device comprising: 
 a support surface;    a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel;    the channel having a first section for receiving the slider and a second section for receiving a portion of the bag, the channel further having a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the bag portion through the slot.    
     
     
         2 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the bag portion comprises closure strips.  
     
     
         3 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the bag portion comprises rails.  
     
     
         4 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the bag portion comprises end stops.  
     
     
         5 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the first section has a portion that interferes with the slider.  
     
     
         6 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the first section includes a recessed portion in which the slider is disposed.  
     
     
         7 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion is defined by an upstanding retaining member that interferes with withdrawal of the slider from the recessed portion.  
     
     
         8 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the bag portion.  
     
     
         9 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the bag portion.  
     
     
         10 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding members include recessed portions at opposite ends thereof for receiving the slider.  
     
     
         11 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the first section further includes a ramp extending from the support surface toward the distal end of the holding members and partially blocking the first section.  
     
     
         12 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the support surface defines a first plane and the slot and channel define a second plane normal to the first plane.  
     
     
         13 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the support surface defines a first plane and the slot and channel define a second plane parallel to the first plane.  
     
     
         14 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the support surface further comprises first and second sections, the first section having first and second ends, the holding members being adjacent to the first end and the second section extending from first end normal to the first section.  
     
     
         15 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the slot has a longitudinal extent defining a line and wherein the support surface defines a plane that is transverse to the line.  
     
     
         16 . A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a slider for opening and closing the closure strips, the holding device comprising: 
 a support surface;    a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel;    the channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider and a second section for receiving only the closure strips but not the slider, the channel further communicating with a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the closure strips through the slot.    
     
     
         17 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein there is a first section at both ends of the channel.  
     
     
         18 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein there is a first section at only one end of the channel.  
     
     
         19 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the first section includes at least one retaining member.  
     
     
         20 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the first section does not include a retaining member.  
     
     
         21 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the length of the first section is less than the length of the slider.  
     
     
         22 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the support surface includes means for supporting the holding device.  
     
     
         23 . The holding device of  claim 22 , wherein the supporting means is an adhesive strip attached to the side of the support surface opposite the holding members.  
     
     
         24 . The holding device of  claim 22 , wherein the supporting means is a clip.  
     
     
         25 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the support surface has peripheral clips.  
     
     
         26 . The holding device of  claim 25 , wherein the clips are spaced to interfit with two parallel rods of a rack.  
     
     
         27 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the first section of the channel has at least one open side.  
     
     
         28 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein an interference member is placed between the first and second sections of the channel.  
     
     
         29 . A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels, a reclosable seal at one end thereof and a slider for opening and closing the reclosable seal, the holding device comprising: 
 a support surface; and    a pair of elongate holding members each having a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel and at least one of the holding members is disposed adjacent the support surface;    the channel including first and second sections, the first section having dimensions for receiving at least a portion of the slider and being wider than the second section and the channel further including a slot defined by the distal portions of the holding members, the width of the slot being narrower than the width of the second section of the channel.    
     
     
         30 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein there is a first section at both ends of the channel.  
     
     
         31 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein there is a first section at only one end of the channel.  
     
     
         32 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein the first section includes at least one retaining member.  
     
     
         33 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein the first section does not include a retaining member.  
     
     
         34 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein the length of the first section is less than the length of the slider.  
     
     
         35 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein the support surface includes means for supporting the holding device.  
     
     
         36 . The holding device of  claim 35 , wherein the supporting means is an adhesive strip attached to the side of the support surface opposite the first and second holding members.  
     
     
         37 . The holding device of  claim 35 , wherein the supporting means is a clip.  
     
     
         38 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein the support surface has peripheral clips.  
     
     
         39 . The holding device of  claim 39 , wherein the clips are spaced to interfit with two parallel rods of a rack.  
     
     
         40 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein the first section of the channel has at least one open side.  
     
     
         41 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein an interfering member is disposed between the first and second sections of the channel.  
     
     
         42 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein both of the holding members are located adjacent the support surface.  
     
     
         43 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein only one of the holding members is located adjacent the support surface, and wherein the holding device further includes a bridge connecting the holding members.  
     
     
         44 . A holding device for a reclosable thermoplastic slider bag, wherein the slider bag includes a sealable end at which closure strips are disposed for sealing the sealable end, the slider bag further including a slider for closing the closure strips, the width of the slider being wider than the width of the closure strips, the holding device comprising: 
 a support surface;    a pair of elongate holding members substantially parallel to one another and integrally attached to the support surface, the holding members defining a channel with a length and two ends, the channel being open at each end with an open slot between the holding members running the length of the channel, the slot being narrower than the channel; and    an interference member disposed adjacent the channel for stopping the slider of a thermoplastic slider bag while allowing the closure strips to pass therethrough.    
     
     
         45 . The holding device of  claim 44 , wherein the interference member defines an opening wider than the closure strips of the slider bag and narrower than the slider of the slider bag.  
     
     
         46 . The holding device of  claim 44 , wherein the interfering member comprises at least one protrusion extending into the channel a distance sufficient to prevent passage of the slider but to allow passage of the closing strips.  
     
     
         47 . A method of storing an item, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing the item in a storage bag wherein the storage bag includes a closure strip and a slider mounted for sliding movement on the closure strip;    providing a holding member supported by a support surface wherein the holding member defines a channel, the channel having a width larger than a first thickness of the bag at a first portion thereof and wherein the channel includes a slot having a width that is smaller than the first thickness but larger than a second thickness of the bag at a second portion thereof; and    sliding the first portion of the storage bag into the channel such that the slider contacts and is moved toward a closed position by the holding member and such that the first portion of the storage bag is in interfering relationship with the holding member.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the step of sliding includes the step of inserting the slider into a recess of the holding member.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the recess includes a first recess portion that receives the slider when the slider is initially inserted into the recess and a second recess portion disposed below the first recess portion that receives the slider after the slider is initially inserted into the recess.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the second portion of the recess is disposed adjacent a locking member that interferes with removal of the slider from the recess when the slider is disposed in the second portion of the recess.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the support surface comprises a horizontal surface.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the support surface comprises a vertical surface.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 48 , including the further step of securing the holding member to the support surface.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the step of securing comprises the step of adhering the holding member to the support surface.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the step of securing comprises the step of fastening the holding member to the support surface.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the support surface comprises a wire rack.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , including the further step of securing the holding member to the wire rack.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the holding member includes a supporting member and wherein the step of securing the mounting member comprises the step of interfitting a portion of the wire rack with the supporting member.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the support surface comprises a shelf surface.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the closure strip is disposed in a horizontal orientation when the first portion of the bag is slid into the channel.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the closure strip is disposed in a vertical orientation when the first portion of the bag is slid into the channel.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the closure strip is disposed in other than a vertical and horizontal orientation when the first portion of the bag is slid into the channel.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 48 , including the further step of placing a further item in a further storage bag substantially identical to the first-named storage bag, providing a further holding member substantially identical to and adjacent the first-named holding member and sliding a first portion of the further storage bag into a channel of the further holding member such that a slider of the further storage bag contacts and is moved toward a closed position by the holding member and such that the first portion of the further storage bag is in interfering relationship with the further holding member.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the first-named storage bag is disposed in overlying relationship atop the further storage bag.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the first-named storage bag is disposed in side-by-side relationship next to the further storage bag.  
     
     
         66 . A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips, a slider for opening and closing the closure strips and a protruding end stop, the holding device comprising: 
 a support surface;    a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel, the channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider, the channel further having a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the closure strips of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of an end stop through the slot.    
     
     
         67 . The holding device of  claim 66 , wherein at least one of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the end stop.  
     
     
         68 . The holding device of  claim 66 , wherein each of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the end stop.  
     
     
         69 . A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a slider for opening and closing the closure strips, the holding device comprising: 
 a support surface;    a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel, the channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider, the channel further having a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the closure strips of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the slider through the slot.    
     
     
         70 . The holding device of  claim 69 , wherein at least one of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the slider.  
     
     
         71 . The holding device of  claim 69 , wherein each of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the slider.  
     
     
         72 . A method of supporting a thermoplastic storage bag wherein the bag includes a closure strip, an end stop at an end of the closure strip, a slider disposed on the closure strip and a rail maintaining the slider on the closure strip, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween wherein at least one of the walls includes an interfering portion;    inserting the bag into the channel such that the slider contacts a portion of the holder and is displaced from an initial position; and    releasing the bag such that at least one of the closure strip, the rail, the end stop and the slider interferes with the interfering portion to support the bag in the holder.    
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the closure strip includes a rail and wherein the step of releasing includes the step of causing the rail to rest on the interfering portion.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the step of releasing includes the step of causing the end stop to rest on the interfering portion.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the step of releasing includes the step of causing the slider to rest on the interfering portion.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the interfering portion comprises at least one member carried by at least one of the walls.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the walls include a portion defining a recess for receiving the slider.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein each of the walls carries an interfering portion.  
     
     
         79 . A method of supporting a thermoplastic bag, wherein the bag includes closure strips and a slider disposed on the closure strips for opening and closing the strips, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween;    inserting a reclosable thermoplastic bag into the holder so that the slider is received in the channel and the bag is supported by the holder; and    exerting a force on the bag to move the bag in relation to the slider, whereby the slider is maintained in a substantially stationary position and the closure strips pass through the slider.    
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the step of exerting results in opening of the bag.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the step of exerting results in closing of the bag.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the thermoplastic bag comprises a slidertype bag selected from the group consisting of a Ziploc® with Easy Zipper bag, a Hefty OneZip® bag, a Glad® Clicklock bag, a Presto® SureSeal bag and a bag manufactured by Pliant Corporation.  
     
     
         83 . A method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag, the method comprising the steps of: 
 contacting the slider with a holding device;    applying a first force to the thermoplastic bag in a first direction; and    applying a second force to the holding device in a second direction so that the thermoplstic bag moves relative to the holding device and the slider.    
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein the first force is applied by a user's hand.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the holding device is attached by supporting means to a surface.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85  wherein the supporting means comprises an adhesive strip.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 85  wherein the supporting means comprises screws.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the second force is applied by a user's hand.  
     
     
         89 . A method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag, the method comprising the steps of: 
 contacting the slider with a holding device;    anchoring the holding device;    gripping the bag; and    moving the gripped bag relative to the holding device and the slider.    
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the slider is moved to an opened position.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the slider is moved toward a closed position.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the step of anchoring is accomplished by attaching the holding device to a surface by a supporting means.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92  wherein the supporting means comprises an adhesive strip.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 92  wherein the supporting means comprises screws.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 92  wherein the step of moving is accomplished by force applied by a user's hand.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the step of anchoring is accomplished by force applied by a user's hand.