Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FREEZER BAG FILLER
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device comprising a holder and locking ring
to assist in
filling plastic bags for storage of foods, snacks or other items. The device
is adapted to
accommodate bags of different sizes.
Background of the Invention
Plastic bags are used for the storage of many items particularly for the
storage of food
products. Plastic storage and freezer bags often include a sealing feature
incorporated
therein, often one that is secured by a slider that works in a similar fashion
to a zipper
fastener. Freezer bags in particular have been shown to extend the shelf life
of foods
and spices. Because of this, freezer bags are frequently used for packaging
lunch items
designed for short term storage as well as for the storing and freezing of
soups, sauces
and the like, including leftovers from a previous meal.
Plastic storage bags are flexible, generally rectangular, typically
transparent, and lack any
supporting structures that enable the bags to remain upright. While the lack
of any
supporting structures might not be a problem when dealing with solid foods
such as
whole vegetables or sandwiches, transferring liquids or small pourable solids
similar to
that of flour, nuts, spices etc. may pose many difficulties. These
difficulties involve
transferring the liquids or small solids from their original location to a
storage bag at a
second location without spilling or losing any of the original contents.
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To remedy these transferring difficulties, many methods have been developed.
These
methods include that of holding the bag with one hand and pouring the contents
with the
opposite hand, having a friend hold the bag during the pour, using a funnel to
fill the bag,
or transferring the contents over to the bag in multiple trips. However, these
methods
seldom result in a fully successful transfer without spillage or loss of a
portion of the
contents. Because the plastic bag, such as a freezer bag, is flexible, it
lacks the support
necessary to remain in place when trying to fill the bag. For foods such as
soups and
other liquid containing products, it is very important that the entirety of
the contents are
transferred successfully and is done so without any spillage.
There are several devices that attempt to assist a user in transferring
contents from one
container into a plastic bag. These devices add stability to the plastic bag
and come in the
form of bag filling kits that often include a stand, funnel, or clamping
devices to secure
the bag to the device. The setback of these devices is that they comprise many
parts, are
bulky, and are overly complicated for the task at hand. What is needed is a
device that is
configured for holding open a non resealable plastic bag or a resealable
freezer bag and
supporting its upper opening in a stable, open position. Additionally, the
product should
include a minimal amount of parts and should be configured for use with a
variety of
plastic bag sizes, and should be configured to support the bag in a manner to
provide the
transfer of liquids to the bag and configured to maintain integrity of the
seal when
resealable bags are used.
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Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to apparatuses for
filling bags.
These devices generally relate to bag filling kits that securely hold open
freezer bags.
One such device in the prior art is U.S. Patent No. 2,827,931 to Melvin, which
describes
a freezer box holder and a funnel, whereby the funnel facilitates the filling
of the freezer
bag while located in the holder. While the prior art of Melvin is adapted to
fill standard
freezer bags, it does not provide easy adaptability to bags of different sizes
and with the
bag turned over at the top it would not be suitable for resealable freezer
bags as it would
damage the seal at each end of the bag.
U.S. Patent No. 3,818,956 to Chamberlain describes a freezer bag holder,
wherein the
holder comprises two pieces. One piece being of a generally tubular and open-
ended
design for supporting a bag, and the other being a funnel-like member which
press fits
around the upper rim of the bag support member. In use, a bag is inserted into
the holder,
which resembles ajar, and turned inside-out at the top, the funnel or ring is
then press fit
over the holder opening. Although Chamberlain teaches a bag filler combination
there is
no adaptability to bags of various sizes and the bag and contents take the
form of the
tubular container making the bag and contents difficult to remove. The device
would not
work with resealable freezer bags.
U.S. Patent No. 4,248,278 to Blodgett describes a device for filling freezer
bags. The
bag supporting and holding device includes sides that allow an open top
portion of the
bag to be cuffed thereover turned inside-out at the top so as to define an
interior open top
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portion of the bag. An insert is provided between the sides of the bag
support, and a
funnel is provided that projects upwardly to facilitate filling of the freezer
bag. Although
the prior art of Blodgen teaches a freezer bag filler, it lacks easy
adaptability to resealable
freezer bags of varying sizes. The shoulder portion of the cuff extends around
the insert
so it would tend to damage resealable bags.
U.S. Patent No. 4,653,737 to Haskins teaches a device for the trimming,
cutting and
cleanup of food-stuffs uses a flat surfaced cutting board with at least one
aperture
therethrough for removing food scraps to a first storage area beneath the
cutting board
and for removing useable food portions separately to a second storage area
beneath the
cutting board. One of the storage areas is a catch basin while the other
storage area is
alternately a partitioned area of the same catch basin, a second catch basin
or a receptacle
bag or dish. In one embodiment, Haskins discloses a holding ring sized for an
interference engagement with the sides of a tapering aperture in the cutting
board wherein
a receptacle bag is fitted between the holding ring and tapered aperture so
that food or
food scraps may be removed to and stored in the receptacle. Although the
embodiment
provides a plastic bag filling aspect, it does not provide a simple device for
which it is
easily adaptable to varying sized bags and it would not properly function with
resealable
freezer bags.
U.S. Patent No. 6,116,549 to Santa Cruz discloses a bag support stand used to
support a
flexible bag in an upright open position for easy filling thereof. The support
stand
includes width adjustment and height adjustment and therefore can accept and
support
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bags of varying sizes. However, although this patent includes an adjustable
feature, it is
also overly cumbersome. It's complexity of parts and large size impedes
functionality
and is not easily adoptable to bags of varying sizes.
Devices of the prior art largely relate to bag filling kits that contain a
plurality of parts,
including funnels, supporting walls, and supporting clamps; however, having a
multitude
of components to complete a task of pouring contents into a bag is overly
complicated.
The present invention provides an improved two piece system configured for
assisting in
filling a bag that overcomes the setbacks of the prior art and is particularly
adaptable for
resealable freezer bags without damaging the seal.
Accordingly, a simple device which enables adaptability to plastic bags or
freezer bags of
varying sizes and particularly resealable bags, would be advantageous, a
device which is
relatively simple, light weight, compact and easy to store.
Summary of the Invention
In a broad aspect, the invention provides a device to facilitate filling of a
plastic storage
bag, comprising a holder and a lock ring, characterized in that the holder has
an annular
through aperture therein and through slots extending from the aperture of the
holder and
the ring is adapted to fit within the annular aperture and in cooperation with
the annular
aperture to temporarily hold an upper portion of the bag in an open condition
with side
portions of the bag within the slots.
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In a broad aspect, the present invention is a device that secures a thin film
package in an
open state to aid in filling the package with a substance. More specifically,
the invention
comprises a holder or frame support with annular aperture used in conjunction
with a ring
that nests within the annular aperture of the holder. When the ring, placed
inside a thin
film packaging, is nested within the central aperture of the holder, the outer
side of the
ring engages with the inner side of the packaging, the outer side of the
packaging engages
with the inner side of the annular aperture of the holder. The shape of the
ring, placed
inside the packaging before nesting it within the holder, retains the shape of
the
packaging in an open state to aid in filling the packaging. The close fit
between the ring
and the central aperture of the frame, with intervening packaging, provides
support to the
packaging.
More particularly, the present invention provides in one preferred aspect, a
two-piece
bag filling device or assembly, whereby the device is configured for assisting
in filling a
variety of sized resealable bags and for supporting the opening of the bag in
a stable,
open configuration that resists collapsing and spillage when pouring or
placing contents
in the bag. The device or assembly comprises a two piece system wherein the
first piece
is a flat holder having an annular opening and slots extending therefrom. The
annular
aperture or opening is adapted for holding a bag open and the slots are
adapted for
containing the additional width of the bag opening. The second piece of the
device or
assembly is comprised of an annular locking ring. The annular locking ring is
configured
to provide a fit with the annular aperture of the holder, whereby the bag is
held securely
between the locking ring and the sides of the annular aperture.
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An alternative embodiment provides a locking ring and funnel configuration.
The bag filling device or assembly of the present invention has a minimal
amount of
parts, is lightweight, conveniently stored, and is applicable to a variety of
bag sizes. The
present invention fills a need in the art for an improvement to existing bag
filling devices.
In this regard the instant invention seeks to fulfill these needs.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the locking ring and holder of the
present
invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the locking ring and holder assembled together
without a bag.
Fig. 3 is an end view of the locking ring and holder.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the locking ring and holder.
Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the holder and locking ring.
Fig. 6 is an exploded side sectional view of the locking ring and holder.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the device in use.
Fig. 8 is a side view of a locking ring configured as a funnel.
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Detailed Description of the Invention
Turning to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the device 10 in an exploded
perspective
view comprising a holder or support frame 12 and locking ring 14. Figures 2 -
4 illustrate
the locking ring and holder connected without a plastic bag in which assembly
of the
device may be conveniently stored on a shelf or on a hook, or in a drawer.
Holder 12 is of plastic material of elongate configuration having deck 18 and
peripheral
side 20. Peripheral side 20 is shown with recesses or indentations 22, four
shown, which
allows the holder to sit on the rim of a bowl or pot as noted further herein.
Although
preferred, the recesses 22 are not required in the operation and use of the
device.
Annular aperture 24 has sides 26 adapted to seat locking ring 14 as further
described
herein.
Extending longitudinally outwardly from opposite sides of annular aperture 24
are slots
30 and 32, each having ends 34 and sides 36. As shown in Figure 5, the under
side of
holder 12 may have a ribbed configuration with ribs 40 running between the
side 26 of
annular aperture 24 and sides 36 of slots 30, 32 to the outer peripheral side
20 of the
holder 12. This ribbed configuration of Figure 5 is exemplary and may be
varied or
omitted, depending on the material used and the peripheral configuration of
the holder.
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Locking ring 14 as shown in Figure 1 is configured and adapted to fit within
annular
aperture 24. Ring 14 has a top 50 and bottom 52, outer peripheral side 54 and
inner
peripheral side 56.
Turning to Figure 4, and Figure 6, where an exploded sectional view of the
holder 12 and
ring 14 is shown. Ring 14 has a peripheral flange or shoulder 60 adapted to
fit with
recess shoulder 70 on the upper part of aperture side 26. Side 54 of ring 14
has a
substantially straight portion 74 and a lower inwardly tapered portion 76.
Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of the assembly with a large resealable bag
in use.
The holder 12 is located on a pot or bowl 80 with the rim 82 of the pot or
bowl 80
accommodated by holder recesses 22. Plastic bag 84 has ends 86, 88 extending
within
the elongated apertures 30, 32. The locking ring 14 defines an opening and in
conjunction with the annular aperture 24 of the holder 12, secures the bag,
maintaining
the opening of the bag and allowing contents to be poured or placed in the
bag. Once
filled to the desired amount the locking ring 14 and bag 84 are removed from
the holder
12 and the ring 14 removed from the mouth of the bag 84. The assembly as
illustrated in
Fig. 7 is ready for ingredients or contents to be poured into the bag. It will
also be
appreciated that for some ingredients, the hand may be used to insert contents
in the bag,
or a spatula scraping food off a cutting board may be used.
More particularly, in use, the center locking ring 14 is removed from the
holder or
support frame 12, and for resealable bags 84, the ring is inserted into the
bag below the
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seal. For non-resealable bags, the bag is fed through the locking ring 14 and
over the
outside of the ring 14. The bag with ring attached is slid down through the
annular
aperture 24 in the holder 12 and the bag locked in place with the locking ring
14. The
device or assembly 10 is ready to have the desired contents poured into the
bag. If the
bag is a large bag, it is appropriate to support the device on a bowl or pot
as noted above
and shown in Fig. 7. However, with smaller bags and with non-liquid items, the
holder
may simply be held in one hand and the contents to be stored, poured in or
scraped off a
cutting board, for example. With the device supported on a bowl or pot as
shown in
Figure 7, both hands are free to control the filling process including
scraping residue
from the bowl or pot.
Turning to Fig. 8, another embodiment of the invention is where the sides 54
of the
annular locking ring are extended upwardly as shown as in Fig. 8 to form
annular side
154 with the upper end configured into the shape of funnel 160 by a flaired
portion 162.
The holder is the same with recess shoulder 70. The funnel 160 is effectively
an
extended portion of the locking ring 14 with outer side 154 having shoulder
flange 164
configured to fit within shoulder recess 70 of holder 12. The funnel is
preferably one
piece with side 154 extending vertically upwardly to flaired portion 162, the
side 154
extending upwardly sufficiently to prevent an open end of a sealable bag from
pushing
upwardly on the flaired portion 162 of the funnel which might otherwise affect
the
section of shoulder flanger 164 in shoulder recess 70 of holder 12.
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Although I have shown a particular shape of the holder, the device could be
circular or
rectangular with the annular opening being circular or oval.
Further, although the annular opening is shown at the center of the device, it
could,
depending on the shape of the holder, be located closer to one end of the
device than the
other, in which case there may be only one slot or the slots could be of
different lengths
to accommodate the different sizes of bags. As long as the annular opening and
slots
functionally cooperate with the smallest bag for which the device is designed
and
accommodate a larger sized bag, the location of the opening and the size of
the slots may
vary.
In North America it is not uncommon to purchase milk in bags and consumers
often
reuse the non-resealable bags for storing goods. The device may be provided to
meet the
size of such bags as well as the larger bags, whether resealable or not.
Although primarily directed to residential household use, the use of the
device is not
limited to such market, but also has commercial applications such as in
commercial
kitchens, catering establishments, packing plants, hardware stores, spare
parts suppliers
and generally anywhere a plastic bag has to be held open to facilitate filling
with a
product. The size of the holder and ring would be sized to meet the demands of
the
application.
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In summary, the device or assembly provides a simple but effective solution
for bagging
otherwise hard to pour and store soups, stews, pasta sauces, and snacks such
as nuts, "bits
and bites", and candy.
The device holds the bag firmly to allow pouring without a mess.
The device works with most sizes and brands of bags of the resealable type and
the
resealable bags are not damaged, as the upper portion of the bag need not be
turned back,
thereby avoiding weakening or applying stress to the seal at either end of the
bag.
The device however, also works well on non-resealable bags.
The device is of rugged construction, preferably of good grade ABS plastic for
both parts,
and is compact for storage, and is dishwasher safe However, other materials
could be
used effectively, including other plastics and various metals.
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