Food storage bag retainer

Abstract

A device that retains a food storage bag so that it can be poured into and from, transported and otherwise supported is provided. The retaining device may have a generally rectangular main sheet of pliant material defining two vertical edges, a first length edge and a second length edge, and wherein the main sheet has a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of its length edges. Spaced-apart bend lines may be disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis interconnecting panels forming a generally horseshoe-shaped configuration. A plurality of fold notches may be formed along each length edge for securely retaining a top portion of the food storage bag there along, making the present invention reversible when in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for retaining a storage bag to be filled, poured from, transported and otherwise supported, comprising:
 a main sheet comprising a pliant material, wherein the main sheet comprises two vertical edges, a first length edge and a second length edge, and wherein the main sheet has a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of its length edges;   a plurality of bend lines extending between the length edges transverse to the longitudinal axis so as to define a horseshoe-shaped in-use configuration of connected panels;   a handle cutout formed along and inward from each vertical edge; and   a plurality of fold notches formed along each length edge.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid notch disposed along one length edge and extending along a portion of a central bend line generally bisecting the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each handle cutout forms a hand-grip shape for receiving a human hand and facilitating its grip. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fold notches along the first length edge are offset from the notches of the second length edge. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each fold notch forms a U-shape. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further providing a plurality of hanging holes formed along and inward from each length edge. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of fold notches, the plurality of hanging holes, the plurality of bend lines, the rigid notch, and the plurality of connected panels are mirrored about the central hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein each notch forms a U-shape. 
     
     
         9 . A device for retaining a storage bag to be filled, poured from, transported and otherwise supported, comprising:
 a main sheet comprising a pliant material, wherein the main sheet comprises two vertical edges, a first length edge and a second length edge, and wherein the main sheet has a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of its length edges;   a plurality of hinges extending between the length edges transverse to the longitudinal axis so as to define a plurality of pivotably connected panels;   a handle cutout formed along and inward from each vertical edge; and   a plurality of fold notches formed along each length edge.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a rigid notch disposed along one length edge and extending along a portion of a central hinge generally bisecting the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the main sheet is positionable in a flattened configuration and in an in-use configuration folded about the plurality of hinges. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of hinges bias the main sheet in the in-use configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of hinges are living hinges. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each handle cutout forms a hand-grip shape for receiving a human hand and facilitating its grip. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of fold notches along the first length edge are offset from the notches of the second length edge. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each fold notch forms a U-shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 9 , further providing a plurality of hanging holes formed along and inward from each length edge. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fold notches, the plurality of hanging holes, the plurality of hinges, the rigid notch and the plurality of pivotably connected panels are mirrored about the central hinge. 
     
     
         19 . A device for retaining a storage bag to be filled, poured from, transported and otherwise supported, comprising:
 a main sheet comprising a pliant material, wherein the main sheet comprises two vertical edges, a first length edge and a second length edge, and wherein the main sheet has a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of its length edges;   a plurality of bend lines extending between the length edges transverse to the longitudinal axis so as to define a horseshoe-shaped in-use configuration of connected panels;   a handle cutout formed along and inward from each vertical edge, wherein each handle cutout forms a hand-grip shape for receiving a human hand and facilitating its grip;   a plurality of fold notches formed along each length edge; wherein the plurality of fold notches along the first length edge are offset from the notches of the second length edge; and   a rigid notch disposed along one length edge and extending along a portion of a central bend line generally bisecting the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , further providing a plurality of hanging holes formed along and inward from each length edge.