CA2863435C

CA2863435C - Freezer bag filler

Info

Publication number: CA2863435C
Application number: CA2863435A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Holmes Mccullough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-18
Filing date: 2014-01-17
Publication date: 2015-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2034-01-17
Also published as: WO2014110666A1; CA2863435A1; CA2803012A1

Abstract

A holder and lock ring device or assembly used to support and secure a flexible bag in an open and upright position to aid in filling of the bag. An annular aperture in the holder with slots extending therefrom, accommodates varying sizes of bags, including re-sealable bags, with or without a zipper. The lock ring is adapted to nest within the annular aperture of the support. A bag is placed through the annular aperture and the lock ring is placed inside the bag and then the ring and bag are nested within the annular aperture of the support. The bag is held open by the shape of the ring to assist filling of the bag. Any excess bag material extends longitudinally into the slots to ensure that bag seams and sealing mechanisms are not damaged. The holder or support may be placed on the upper edge of a pot, bowl, or the like to support the assembly with a bag for assistance when pouring contents into the bag. An alternative provides a locking ring funnel configuration.

Description

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device to facilitate filling of a plastic storage bag, comprising:
a holder and a lock ring, characterized in that - the holder having an annular through aperture therein and through slots extending from the aperture of the holder; and - the ring is adapted to fit within said 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.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein there are two slots, each extending outwardly of the annular aperture in diametrically opposite directions to each other.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the holder is of an elongate configuration with the annular aperture centrally located and the slots are of substantially equal lengths.

4. The device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the ring has an upper outer peripheral flange adapted to nest with a shoulder in the annular aperture.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the flange and shoulder are configured such that the top of the ring and top of the holder are planar for storage.

6. The device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the configuration of the flange and shoulder provides a snug fit between the locking ring and holder.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 - 6 wherein the holder is made of material selected from the group of materials consisting of plastic and metal.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 ¨ 7 wherein the locking ring is made of material selected from the group of materials consisting of plastic and metal.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the material is plastic.

10. The device according to claim 9 wherein the plastic is food grade ABS.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 ¨ 10 wherein the locking ring is configured to include a funnel.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 ¨ 11 wherein the holder has a peripheral side edge with recesses configured and located to cooperate with a rim of a bowl or pot.