GB2399807A

GB2399807A - Bag sealing device

Info

Publication number: GB2399807A
Application number: GB0306748A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Bryant-Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-25
Filing date: 2003-03-25
Publication date: 2004-09-29
Also published as: GB0306748D0

Abstract

A bag-sealing device comprises two separate parts, a first part comprising a collar (10) through which the neck of the bag (B) to be sealed may be passed, and the second part comprising an insert (20) for fitting into the neck of the bag and into the collar, to trap the material of the neck of the bag between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the collar. Once the insert (20) is fitted into the neck of the bag (B) and into the collar (10), the bag is effectively sealed. The insert (20) may be provided with a one-way valve permitting air to be withdrawn from the bag.

Description

BAG SEALING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for sealing the neck of a plastic bag.

There are various situations where it is required to seal a plastic bag and optionally withdraw air from the bag, for example where the bag contains items of food and is to be subsequently frozen.

I have now devised a bag-sealing device which is of simple construction and quick and easy to use, and optionally permits the air within the bag to be withdrawn.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bag-sealing device which comprises two separate parts, a first part comprising a collar through which the neck of the bag to be sealed may be passed, and an insert for fitting into the neck of the bag and into the collar, to trap the material of the neck of the bag between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the collar.

It will be appreciated that, once the insert is fitted into the neck of the bag and into the collar, the bag is effectively sealed.

Preferably the inner surface of the collar comprises a plain surface of uniform cross-section and the outer surface of the insert comprises a plain, cylindrical surface which is complementary to the inner surface of the collar. Preferably the inner surface of the collar tapers from its top end toward its bottom end, and the outer surface of the insert is correspondingly tapered.

Preferably a radially-projecting flange or rim is formed around the top of the insert. Preferably the insert is tubular in form and is provided with a one-way valve (preferably a diaphragm valve) allowing air to be withdrawn from the bag: preferably the one-way valve is positioned at or adjacent the bottom end of the insert, allowing a plunger to be engaged into the insert at its top end, for pumping air out of the bag.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of a two-part device in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a top end view of the insert part of the device; FIGURE 3 is a top end view of the collar part of the device; FIGURE 4 is a view of the device showing the insert part fitted into the collar part; FIGURE 5 is a partly cut-away view of the insert part of the device; FIGURE 6 is an isometric view of the collar part of the device; FIGURE 7 shows a plastic bag with its neck passed through the collar part of the bag-sealing device; FIGURE 8 shows the bag with the insert part of the device subsequently fitted into the collar part; and FIGURE 9 shows the bag subsequently being evacuated through the bag-sealing device.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, there is shown a device for sealing a plastic bag, the device comprising two separate parts, namely a collar 10 and an insert 20. The collar 10 comprises a one-piece, tubular member of circular cross-section, having a plain inner surface 12 which extends from one end to the opposite end of the collar 10 and is slightly tapered. The insert 20 comprises a one-piece tubular member also of circular cross-section, having a radially projecting flange or rim 22 around its top end: the insert has a plain outer surface 24 which extends from its bottom end to the underside of the rim 22, and is slightly tapered to complement the internal tapering of the collar 10. A diaphragm valve V is mounted in the bottom end of the insert 20 and comprises a seat 26 and a diaphragm 28 fixed at its centre to the centre of the seat 26.

In use, and referring to Figures 7 to 9 of the drawings, firstly the neck of the bag B to be sealed is passed through the collar 10, and the material of the neck is folded radially outwardly over the top of the collar 10. Then the insert 20 is fitted into the open neck of the bag B and into the collar 10, so trapping the material of the neck of the bag B between the outer surface 24 of the insert and the inner surface 12 of the collar 10. Then, as shown in Figure 9, a plunger P may be engaged into the insert 20, from its top, and used to pump air out of the bag B through the one-way diaphragm valve V of the insert.

It will accordingly be appreciated that the device which has been described is of simple and inexpensive construction and is quick and easy to use in order to seal a plastic bag. Further, the device permits air to be withdrawn from the bag, for example where the bag contains items of good to be frozen.

Claims

Claims 1) A bag-sealing device which comprises two separate parts, a first

said part comprising a collar through which the neck of the bag to be sealed may be passed, and the second said part comprising an insert for fitting into the neck of the bag and into the collar, to trap the material of the neck of the bag between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the collar.
2) A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the inner surface of said collar comprises a plain surface and the outer surface of said insert comprises a plain surface which is complementary to the inner surface of said collar.
3) A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the inner surface of said collar and the outer surface of the said insert are of circular crosssection.
4) A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the inner surface of said collar tapers from its top end towards fits bottom end, and the outer surface of said insert His correspondingly tapered.
5) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a radiallyprojecting flange or rim is formed around the top of said insert.
6) A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said insert is tubular in form and is provided with a one-way valve allowing air to be withdrawn from the bag.
7) A device as claimed in claim 6, in which said one-way valve comprises a diaphragm valve.
8) A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, in which said one- way valve is positioned at or adjacent the bottom end of said insert.
9) A device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a plunger engageable into said insert at it top end, for pumping air out of the bag.
10) A bag-sealing device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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