Bag spreader for re-sealbale bags

Abstract

A bag spreader apparatus has an upper portion of a first length comprising two parallel upper side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle element at one end spanning and joining the upper side rails, a first jaw element at the opposite end spanning and joining the side rails and extending downward from the plane of the side rails, and guide structures contiguous with each upper side rail forming partially enclosed tracks open to the inside along a portion of each upper side rail, and a lower portion of a second length less than the first length comprising two parallel lower side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle portion spanning and joining the lower side rails, and a second jaw element extending downward from the plane of the lower side rails, the lower side rails constrained in the partially enclosed tracks of the upper guide rails, such that the lower portion may be translated relative to the upper portion to vary the distance between the first and second jaw elements.

1 . A bag spreader apparatus comprising:
 an upper portion of a first length comprising two parallel upper side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle element at one end spanning and joining the upper side rails, a first jaw element at the opposite end spanning and joining the side rails and extending downward from the plane of the side rails, and guide structures contiguous with each upper side rail forming partially enclosed tracks open to the inside along a portion of each upper side rail; and   a lower portion of a second length less than the first length comprising two parallel lower side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle portion spanning and joining the lower side rails, and a second jaw element extending downward from the plane of the lower side rails, the lower side rails constrained in the partially enclosed tracks of the upper guide rails, such that the lower portion may be translated relative to the upper portion to vary the distance between the first and second jaw elements.   
     
     
         2 . The bag spreader apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a detent structure implemented on the upper and lower side rails providing one or more detented positions that constrain the position of the lower portion relative to the upper portion, thereby constraining the dimension between the first and the second jaw elements. 
     
     
         3 . The bag spreader apparatus of  claim 2  wherein one detented position aligns the upper and the lower handle portions, defining a maximum opening for the jaw elements. 
     
     
         4 . The bag spreader apparatus of  claim 1  wherein one or both of the upper and lower jaw elements have one or more structures extending substantially horizontally away from an opening defined by the distance between the jaw elements, the structures for firmly engaging the inside of a flexible bag to hold the bag open for filling or emptying. 
     
     
         5 . The bag spreader of  claim 4  wherein the one or more structures are lip elements extending from a lowermost region of each jaw element. 
     
     
         6 . A method for holding a flexible bag open for filing or emptying, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a bag spreader apparatus comprising an upper portion of a first length comprising two parallel upper side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle element at one end spanning and joining the upper side rails, a first jaw element at the opposite end spanning and joining the side rails and extending downward from the plane of the side rails, and guide structures contiguous with each upper side rail forming partially enclosed tracks open to the inside along a portion of each upper side rail; and a lower portion of a second length less than the first length comprising two parallel lower side rails defining a substantially horizontal plane, a handle portion spanning and joining the lower side rails, and a second jaw element extending downward from the plane of the lower side rails, the lower side rails constrained in the partially enclosed tracks of the upper guide rails, such that the lower portion may be translated relative to the upper portion to vary the distance between the first and second jaw elements;   (b) translating the lower portion in a manner to move the jaw elements relatively close together;   (c) placing the jaws into an opening of a flexible bag;   (d) translating the lower portion relative to the upper portion in a manner to move the jaw elements further apart, to the extent that the opening dimensions of the flexible bag constrain the jaw elements from moving further apart; and   (e) detenting the lower portion relative to the upper portion to keep the bag firmly open.