Holding device

Abstract

A holding device for moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag includes a base surface and a pair of holding members extending from the base surface. The holding members are insertable over a slider in a first direction and facilitate movement of the slider in a second direction.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A holding device for moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag in a first direction, comprising: 
 a base surface; and    a pair of holding members extending from the base surface and insertable over a slider in a first direction and facilitating movement of the slider in a second direction.    
     
     
         2 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes a magnet on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes a hook and loop fastener on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes double-sided adhesive tape on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding members are spread apart to engage the slider.  
     
     
         6 . The holding device of  claim 5 , wherein the holding members are spread apart using an external biasing device.  
     
     
         7 . The holding device of  claim 6 , wherein the external biasing device is a spring.  
     
     
         8 . The holding device of  claim 5 , wherein the holding members are spread apart manually.  
     
     
         9 . The holding device of  claim 8 , wherein a notch in at least one of the holding members aids a user in spreading apart the holding members manually.  
     
     
         10 . The holding device of  claim 8 , wherein a release on at least one of the holding members aids a user in spreading apart the holding members manually.  
     
     
         11 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding device is in the form of a child's toy.  
     
     
         12 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding device has a holiday theme.  
     
     
         13 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding device has a sports theme.  
     
     
         14 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is transverse to the second direction.  
     
     
         15 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is parallel to the second direction.  
     
     
         16 . A holding device for a slider of a thermoplastic bag comprising: 
 a base surface;    a pair of holding members extending from the base surface;    wherein the holding members are insertable over the slider in a first direction; and    wherein forces applied to the holding device are transmitted to the slider to move the slider in a second direction.    
     
     
         17 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes a magnet on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes a hook and loop fastener on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes double-sided adhesive tape on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the holding members are spread apart to engage the slider.  
     
     
         21 . The holding device of  claim 20 , wherein the holding members are spread apart using an external biasing device.  
     
     
         22 . The holding device of  claim 21 , wherein the external biasing device is a spring.  
     
     
         23 . The holding device of  claim 20 , wherein the holding members are spread apart manually.  
     
     
         24 . The holding device of  claim 23 , wherein a notch in at least one of the holding members aids a user in spreading apart the holding members manually.  
     
     
         25 . The holding device of  claim 23 , wherein a release on at least one of the holding members aids a user in spreading apart the holding members manually.  
     
     
         26 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the holding device is in the form of a child's toy.  
     
     
         27 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the holding device has a holiday theme.  
     
     
         28 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the holding device has a sports theme.  
     
     
         29 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the holding device further includes a handle attached to the holding members.  
     
     
         30 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein the handle pivots about a pivot point.  
     
     
         31 . The holding device of  claim 29 , wherein the handle includes an ornament at a top portion thereof.  
     
     
         32 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the first direction is transverse to the second direction.  
     
     
         33 . The holding device of  claim 16 , wherein the first direction is parallel to the second direction.  
     
     
         34 . A method for moving a slider closure of a thermoplastic bag, the method comprising the steps of: 
 contactng the slider with a holding device;    gripping the holding device and bag; and    moving the holding device relative to the bag.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the contacting step includes the step of mounting the holding device on the slider.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the holding device includes a base surface and a pair of holding members extending from the base surface.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of mounting the holding device includes spreading the holding members apart to engage the slider.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of mounting the holding device includes spreading the holding members apart using an external biasing device.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the external biasing device is a spring.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of mounting the holding device includes spreading the holding members apart manually.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein an undercut portion in at least one of the holding members aids a user in spreading apart the holding members manually.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein a release on at least one of the holding members aids a user in spreading apart the holding members manually.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the step of moving at least one of the holding device and bag includes pulling a handle attached to the holding device.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the handle swivels about a pivot point.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the handle includes an ornament at a top portion thereof.  
     
     
         46 . A holding device for a slider of a thermoplastic bag, comprising; 
 a base surface;    a pair of holding members extending from the base surface; and    means for inserting the holding members over the slider in a first direction; and    wherein the holding members facilitate movement of the slider in a second direction.    
     
     
         47 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes a magnet on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         48 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes a hook and loop fastener on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         49 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein at least one of the holding members or the base surface includes double-sided adhesive tape on an outer surface thereof.  
     
     
         50 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the means for inserting the holding members over the slider include an external biasing device.  
     
     
         51 . The holding device of  claim 50 , wherein the external biasing device is a spring.  
     
     
         52 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the means for inserting the holding members over the slider include a notch in at least one of the holding members.  
     
     
         53 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the means for inserting the holding members over the slider include a release on at least one of the holding members.  
     
     
         54 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the holding device is in the form of a child's toy.  
     
     
         55 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the holding device has a holiday theme.  
     
     
         56 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the holding device has a sports theme.  
     
     
         57 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the holding device further includes a handle attached to the holding members.  
     
     
         58 . The holding device of  claim 57 , wherein the handle pivots about a pivot point.  
     
     
         59 . The holding device of  claim 57 , wherein the handle includes an ornament at a top portion thereof.  
     
     
         60 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the first direction is transverse to the second direction.  
     
     
         61 . The holding device of  claim 46 , wherein the first direction is parallel to the second direction.