Container Opening Support System

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a container opening support system for supporting a flexible container in an open condition to facilitate filling the flexible container, and methods of making and using such a container opening support system, the container opening support system including an annular member having annular member first and second ends which movably couple to one another to allow adjustment of an annular member perimeter between contracted and expanded conditions, whereby in the contracted condition, the annular member perimeter bounds a lesser interior space in relation to the expanded condition, in which the annular member perimeter bounds a greater interior space; and a securement assembly which releasably secures the annular member first and second ends in fixed relation to one another following adjustment of the annular member perimeter.

1 . A container opening support system for supporting a flexible container in an open condition to facilitate filling said flexible container, comprising:
 an annular member having annular member first and second ends which movably couple to one another to allow adjustment of an annular member perimeter between contracted and expanded conditions;   wherein in said contracted condition, said annular member perimeter bounds a lesser interior space in relation to said expanded condition, in which said annular member perimeter bounds a greater interior space; and   a securement assembly which releasably secures said annular member first and second ends in fixed relation to one another following adjustment of said annular member perimeter.   
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The container opening support system of  claim 1 , wherein said annular member first and second ends are configured to slidably engage with one another. 
     
     
         6 . The container opening support system of  claim 5 , wherein said annular member first and second ends are configured to reciprocally nestingly engage or reciprocally telescopingly engage with one another. 
     
     
         7 . The container opening support system of  claim 1 , wherein said securement assembly facilitates releasable securement of said annular member first and second ends in fixed relation to one another at selectable discrete incremental positions along said annular member, thereby providing incremental adjustment of said annular member perimeter. 
     
     
         8 . The container opening support system of  claim 7 , wherein said securement assembly comprises a catch and a plurality of catch-receiving elements;
 whereby catchable engagement of said catch with each of said plurality of catch-receiving elements releasably secures said annular member first and second ends in fixed relation to one another at a different incremental position along said annular member.   
     
     
         9 . The container opening support system of  claim 8 , wherein said catch is coupled to said annular member first end and said plurality of catch-receiving elements are coupled to said annular member second end. 
     
     
         10 . The container opening support system of  claim 8 , wherein said securement assembly further comprises a catch actuator operatively coupled to said catch. 
     
     
         11 . The container opening support system of  claim 10 , wherein said catch actuator is remote from said catch. 
     
     
         12 . The container opening support system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a handle coupled to said annular member;   wherein said catch actuator is located proximate said handle.   
     
     
         13 . The container opening support system of  claim 12 , wherein said catch actuator outwardly extends from said handle. 
     
     
         14 . The container opening support system of  claim 1 , wherein said securement assembly facilitates releasable securement of said annular member first and second ends in fixed relation to one another at any selectable position along said annular member, thereby providing continuous adjustment of said annular member perimeter. 
     
     
         15 . The container opening support system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a resiliently elastic cord disposed within said annular member, said resiliently elastic cord having a cord length disposed between cord first and second ends;   wherein each of said cord first and second ends is fixedly attached to said annular member; and   wherein said resiliently elastic cord provides sufficient tension to forcibly urge said annular member first and second ends toward greater nesting or telescoping engagement, thereby forcibly urging said annular member perimeter toward said contracted condition.   
     
     
         16 . The container opening support system of  claim 1 , wherein said annular member is formed as a continuous length between said annular member first and second ends. 
     
     
         17 . The container opening support system of  claim 1 , wherein said annular member comprises a plurality of segments coupled to one another to together provide said annular member. 
     
     
         18 . The container opening support system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a resiliently elastic cord disposed within first and second segments which together provide said annular member, said resiliently elastic cord having a cord length disposed between cord first and second ends;   wherein said cord first end is fixedly attached to said first segment and said cord second end is fixedly attached to said second segment; and   wherein said resiliently elastic cord provides sufficient tension to forcibly urge said first segment and corresponding, said annular member first end, toward greater nesting or telescoping engagement with said second segment and correspondingly, said annular member second end, thereby forcibly urging said annular member perimeter provided by said first and second segments toward said contracted condition.   
     
     
         19 . The container opening support system of  claim 17 , wherein at least two of said plurality of segments are pivotally coupled to one another. 
     
     
         20 . The container opening support system of  claim 19 , wherein each of said plurality of segments is arcuate;
 wherein said plurality of segments together form a generally circular annular member when said expanded condition of said annular member perimeter is achieved.   
     
     
         21 . The container opening support system of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to said annular member. 
     
     
         22 . The container opening support system of  claim 21 , wherein said handle inwardly extends from said annular member toward said interior space bounded by said annular member perimeter. 
     
     
         23 . The container opening support system of  claim 22 , wherein said handle is generally coplanar with said annular member. 
     
     
         24 - 60  (canceled)