Method and device for holding reclosable thermoplastic slider bags

Info

Publication number: 20030189141
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 27, 2002
Publication Date: Oct 9, 2003
Inventors: Robert R. Turvey (Sanford, MI), Douglas P. Gundlach (Racine, WI), Allison K. Betancourt (Racine, WI), Daniel Warwick Stanley (Winter Park, FL)
Application Number: 10306034

Abstract

A holding device for thermoplastic bags utilizes bags having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a slider for opening and closing the closure strips. The holding device comprises a support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel therebetween. The channel has a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider and a second section for receiving only the closure strips but not the slider. The channel further has a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the closure strips through the slot.

Description

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to reclosable thermoplastic slider bags, and more particularly, to a method and device for holding reclosable thermoplastic slider bags.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The use of thermoplastic bags for the storage of items is well known. Such bags are used to store a variety of articles, from food to general household items including everything from craft supplies to children's toys. Generally, such bags can be characterized by the presence or absence of integral resealing apparatus. Bags that do not include any integral resealing apparatus typically require a separate sealing member, such as a wire twist-tie, to seal the bag. Often, this separate sealing member is lost or is not readily available to a user, and hence, the bag is sometimes simply folded over or the bag walls are tied into a knot. In the former case, the bag is usually not properly sealed and in the latter case the subsequent untying of the bag can be problematic or impossible as a practical matter. Bags that include integral resealing apparatus overcome these problems but have other potential disadvantages, particularly those bags that require a user to pinch and run his finger and thumb over closure strips of the bag. Specifically, when sealing such a bag, the user may not be able to readily determine whether the bag has been fully closed.

[0003] Slider bags have been developed that allow a user to more easily close a thermoplastic storage bag having integral resealing apparatus. Such a bag includes a slider mounted for movement on closure strips wherein the slider includes members that close the bag when the slider is moved toward a first position and which open the bag when the slider is moved toward a second position. Such an arrangement facilitates the determination by the user of the open/closed status of the bag.

[0004] Regardless of the bag type, a bag that is not sealed readily allows the contents of the bag to spill out unless the bag is carefully arranged and handled. In addition, many different types and shapes of articles are often stored in such bags, causing the bags to be irregularly and/or differently shaped. When such bags are placed together in a confined space, such as a cupboard, cabinet, drawer, shelf, refrigerator or the like, a disorganized condition can develop, preventing a user from easily locating a particular bag. Further, as a user is attempting to locate a particular bag, the bags may be jostled, thereby causing one or more bags to fall off a supporting surface to the floor, resulting in breakage of the bag and/or the articles stored therein and/or spilling of contents. Also, the bags are usually placed on top of one another, leading to an inefficient use of space. Still further, when bags are stacked on top of each other in an unconfined location, the bags tend to slide out of the stacked configuration and into a disorganized state. Bags stacked on top also tend to conceal the contents of the bags below thus defeating the advantage of utilizing a clear plastic for easy identification of the articles within the bags.

[0005] Attempts have been made to address the foregoing problems through the use of rack systems that suspend one or more storage bags each from an open end thereof, thereby allowing the remainder of each bag to hang freely below the rack regardless of the contents of the bag.

[0006] Lemke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,949 discloses a clamping hanger for food bags. The hanger is used in conjunction with a snack bag, such as a potato chip bag, where one end of the bag is open and has no integral closing device. The clamping hanger includes a clamping member defining a slit that has a width narrower than the combined thicknesses of the walls of the snack bag. A user slides the open end of the bag into the slit and the bag is frictionally retained therein.

[0007] Nocek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,522 discloses a bag storage device. The device is designed for use with a non-slider type reclosable bag having interlocking profiles that have a greater thickness than the combined thicknesses of the side panels of the bag. The storage device comprises a member defining a slot that is narrower than the thickness of the interlocked profiles but wide enough that it will freely receive the combined thicknesses of the side panels of the bag. Furthermore, the slot has a length that is substantially as long as the bag. When the bag is inserted into the slot such that the profiles are disposed above the slot, the profiles engage the portions of the member forming the slot and support the bag. Similarly, Baglio, U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,530 discloses a hanger system for non-slider type reclosable bags including a holding device having a plurality of pairs of spaced rails or fingers. The rails or fingers of each pair are spaced apart to define a slot having a width less than the thickness of interlocking profiles of the bags but greater than the combined thicknesses of side panels of the bags. Each of a number of bags may be slid into a corresponding slot with the profiles of the bag above the slot such that the profiles are brought into contact with the rails or fingers and are supported thereby. Single or multiple bags may be so supported.

[0008] Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,957 discloses storage systems for non-slider type reclosable bags. The patent discloses a variety of rack systems for use with reclosable plastic bags including interlocking profiles presenting a thickness greater than the combined thickness of the side panels of the bag. All of the rack storage systems disclosed in the patent utilize a slot having a width less than the thickness of the interlocking profiles but greater than the combined thicknesses of the side panels of the bag. The rack systems disclosed include cylindrical, vertical and horizontal systems, all including a plurality of slots for holding multiple bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end and a slider for opening and closing the reclosable seal includes a support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel. The channel has a first section for receiving the slider and a second section for receiving a portion of the bag. The channel further includes a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the bag portion through the slot.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a holding device for a thermoplastic bag comprises a support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel. The channel has a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of a slider of the thermoplastic bag and a second section for receiving only closure strips of the bag but not the slider. The channel communicates with a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the closure strips through the slot.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a holding device comprises a support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel. At least one of the holding members is disposed adjacent the support surface. The channel includes first and second sections, wherein the first section has dimensions for receiving at least a portion of a slider of a thermoplastic bag and is wider than the second section. The channel further comprises a slot defined by the distal portions of the holding members, the width of the slot being narrower than the width of the second section of the channel.

[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a holding device for a reclosable thermoplastic slider bag includes a support surface and a pair of elongate holding members substantially parallel to one another and integrally attached to the support surface. The holding members define a channel having a length and two ends wherein the channel is open at each end with an open slot between the holding members running the length of the channel and wherein the slot is narrower than the channel. An interference member is disposed adjacent the channel for stopping a slider of a thermoplastic slider bag while allowing closure strips of the bag to pass therethrough.

[0013] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method of storing an item comprises the steps of placing the item in a storage bag wherein the storage bag includes a closure strip and a slider mounted for sliding movement on the closure strip, and providing a holding member supported by a support surface wherein the holding member defines a channel. The channel has a width larger than a first thickness of the bag at a first portion thereof and further includes a slot having a width smaller than the first thickness but larger than a second thickness of the bag at a second portion thereof. The method further includes the step of sliding the first portion of the storage bag into the channel such that the slider contacts and is moved toward a closed position by the holding member and such that the first portion of the storage bag is in interfering relationship with the holding member.

[0014] In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a holding device for a thermoplastic bag comprises a support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel. The channel has a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider and a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow closure strips of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of an end stop through the slot.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, wherein the reclosable seal comprises a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a slider for opening and closing the closure strips, includes a support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion. The holding members define a channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider and a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members. The slot has a width sufficient to allow the closure strips of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the slider through the slot.

[0016] A still further aspect of the present invention comprises a method of supporting a thermoplastic storage bag wherein the bag includes a closure strip, an end stop at an end of the closure strip, a slider disposed on the closure strip, and a rail maintaining the slider on the closure strip. The method includes the steps of providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween wherein at least one of the walls includes an interfering portion; inserting the bag into the channel such that the slider contacts a portion of the holder and is displaced from an initial position, and releasing the bag such that at least one of the closure strip, the rail, the end stop and the slider interferes with the interfering portion to support the bag in the holder.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of supporting a thermoplastic bag includes the steps of providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween, inserting a reclosable thermoplastic bag into the holder so that a slider of the bag is received in the channel and the bag is supported by the holder and exerting a force on the bag to move the bag in relation to the slider, whereby the slider is maintained in a substantially stationary position and the closure strips pass through the slider.

[0018] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag includes the steps of contacting the slider with a holding device, applying a first force to the thermoplastic bag in a first direction, and applying a second force to the holding device in a second direction so that the thermoplastic bag moves relative to the holding device and the slider.

[0019] According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag includes the steps of contacting the slider with a holding device, anchoring the holding device, gripping the bag, and moving the gripped bag relative to the holding device and the slider.

[0020] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bidirectional holding device with a slider bag inserted therein such that the bag is in the closed position;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an elevational bottom view of the holding device of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 is an elevational end view of the holding device of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3a is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 1 taken generally along the line 3a -3a;

[0025] FIG. 3b is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 1 taken generally along the line 3b 3b;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 1 taken generally along the line 4-4;

[0027] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a unidirectional holding device with a slider bag inserted therein such that the bag is in the closed position;

[0028] FIG. 5a is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a holding device according to the present invention similar to FIG. 5 taken from the bottom and left rear side of the device;

[0029] FIG. 5b is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 5a taken from the top and right rear side thereof;

[0030] FIG. 5c is a plan view of the holding device of FIGS. 5a and 5b;

[0031] FIG. 5d is a bottom elevational view of the holding device of FIGS. 5a and 5b;

[0032] FIG. 5e is an elevational end view of the holding device of FIG. 5a;

[0033] FIG. 5f is an elevational view of end of the holding device opposite the view end shown in FIG. 5e;

[0034] FIG. 5g is a sectional view of the holding device taken generally along the lines 5g5gof FIG. 5;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but without retaining members;

[0036] FIG. 7 is an elevational end view of the holding device of FIG. 6;

[0037] FIG. 8 is an elevational end view of the holding device of FIG. 6 with a slider bag inserted;

[0038] FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 with a slider bag partially inserted;

[0039] FIG. 10 is an elevational bottom view of a further embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 11 is an elevational end view of the device of FIG. 10;

[0041] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 10 taken generally along the line 12-12

[0042] FIG. 12a is a view similar to that of FIG. 12 showing an alternative embodiment of the device;

[0043] FIG. 12b is a view similar to that of FIG. 12 showing an alternative embodiment of the device;

[0044] FIG. 12c is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 12b taken generally along the line 12c1 2c;

[0045] FIG. 12d a view similar to that of FIG. 12c showing alternatively shaped interference members;

[0046] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the holding device;

[0047] FIG. 14 is an elevational bottom view of the holding device of FIG. 13;

[0048] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 14 taken generally along the line 15-15;

[0049] FIG. 16 is a trimetric view of the holding device of FIG. 13 in a rack storage system;

[0050] FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of the holding device of FIG. 7 with first sections shorter than the slider;

[0051] FIG. 17a is an end elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 17 including detents;

[0052] FIG. 17b is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 17a taken generally along the line 17b17b;

[0053] FIG. 18 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the invention;

[0054] FIG. 1 8a is an elevational bottom view of the holding device of claim 18;

[0055] FIG. 1 8b is an elevational end view of the holding device of claim 18;

[0056] FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a holding device of the invention with a hanging clip attached to the support member;

[0057] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] FIG. 21 is an elevational end view of the holding device of FIG. 20;

[0059] FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 20 showing a slider bag inserted into the device;

[0060] FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 23-23 in FIG. 22;

[0061] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention showing a slider bag about to be inserted into the device;

[0062] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 24 showing a slider bag inserted into the device and partly closed;

[0063] FIG. 26 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 25 showing the detail of the slider bag being inserted into the device and partly closed;

[0064] FIG. 27 is a simplified sectional view taken generally along the line 23-23 in FIG. 25;

[0065] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] FIG. 29 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0067] FIG. 30 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0068] FIG. 31 is an elevational bottom view of the holding device of FIG. 30;

[0069] FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 31 taken generally along the line 32-32 in FIG. 31;

[0070] FIG. 33 is a view similar to that of FIG. 31 showing a slider bag being supported;

[0071] FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a still further embodiment of the present invention;

[0072] FIG. 35 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 34 taken generally along the line 35-35 in FIG. 34 and showing a slider bag being supported;

[0073] FIG. 36 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention and showing a slider bag being supported;

[0074] FIG. 37 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 36 taken generally along the line 37-37 in FIG. 36;

[0075] FIG. 38 is an isometric view of an additional embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] FIG. 39 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] FIG. 40 is an elevational view of the device of FIG. 39, partly in section and taken generally along the line 40-40 in FIG. 39;

[0078] FIG. 41 is a view similar to that of FIG. 35 showing an alternative embodiment;

[0079] FIG. 42 is an isometric view of still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0080] FIGS. 43-46 are isometric views of the embodiment of FIGS. 24-27 in conjunction with slider-type bags manufactured and/or sold by various companies;

[0081] FIG. 47 is an elevational view of a plurality of holding devices according to the present invention arranged in a horizontal orientation on a vertical support surface;

[0082] FIG. 48 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the support surface comprises a refrigerator shelf;

[0083] FIG. 49 is an isometric view of an additional embodiment of the present invention;

[0084] FIG. 49a is an elevational end view of the holding device of FIG. 49;

[0085] FIG. 50 is a side elevational view of the holding device as seen generally along the view lines 50-50 of FIG. 49;

[0086] FIG. 51 is an isometric view of a device similar to the device shown in FIG. 49 but having screw holes for attachment to a surface;

[0087] FIG. 52 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0088] FIG. 52a is an elevational side view of the holding device of FIG. 52; and

[0089] FIG. 53 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of the present invention..

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0090] In the following description, reference numerals that differ only in the hundredths digit denote like structures or elements in the various embodiments.

[0091] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a holding device 20 includes a support member 21 with a first side 22. The holding device 20 is to be used with a reclosable thermoplastic slider bag 50 as seen in FIG. 9. The slider bag 50 comprises walls or side panels 52, which together with a bottom and side seals define a bag with one openable end 54. The openable end 54 has a pair of closure strips 56, which are opened by a user sliding a slider 58 from one end of the strips 56 to the other and reclosed by sliding the slider 58 back to the one end.

[0092] Two opposing elongate walls or holding members 23, 24 extend from the first side 22 of the support member 21. The holding members 23, 24 are preferably (although not necessarily) mirror images of each other and each has a proximal portion 33, a distal portion 34 and two ends 35. The holding members 23, 24 define a channel 36 therebetween.

[0093] In the preferred embodiment, the holding members are shaped such that the channel 36 includes a first section 25 at each end 35 of the holding members 23, 24 and a second section 26 narrower than and located between the first sections 25. The dimensions of the first sections 25 are sufficiently large so that a slider 58 of the type typically used on slider bags can be inserted into either of the first sections 25 as seen in FIGS. 3a and 8. The first sections 25 and the second section 26 are connected by necks 27, which narrow from each first section 25 to the second section 26. Each neck 27 is defined by at least one surface 40 of the holding members 23, 24 that interferes with passage of the slider through the second section 26 but which does not interfere with passage of the closure strips through the section 26 (hereinafter, the surface(s) 40 may be considered as forming a part of an interference member). Optionally, walls define one or more recesses 29 in the distal portion(s) of one or more of the first sections 25. The purpose of the recess 29 is to reduce or eliminate any potential stress that may be exerted on the slider 58 should a heavy object be placed in the slider bag 50. In the preferred embodiment, the first sections 25 are at least as long as the length of slider 58 so that the slider 58 can be placed completely inside either of the first sections 25. The second section 26 has a width preferably larger than the width of the closure strips 56 of the slider bag 50, and also preferably has a dimension (height or width or a combination of the two) that is smaller than a comparable dimension (or dimensions) of the slider 58 so that the desired interfering relationship is obtained. For example, because the slider 58 in the illustrated embodiment has a height slightly larger than the height of the closure strips 56, the desired interfering relationship is obtained by designing the second section 26 of the illustrated embodiment to be narrower than the width of slider 58. However, in other embodiments, the interference member can take a wide variety of forms such as shown in FIGS. 12c and 12d. Even though FIGS. 1-4 show a narrowing of both the external and internal surfaces of the walls or holding members 23 and 24, the shapes of the external surfaces are not important to the functioning of the device and may be of any desired form.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the respective distal portions 34 of the holding members 23, 24 further define a slot 30 that is in direct communication with channel 36. The slot 30 is sized such that the slot 30 is narrower than the second section 26 of the channel 36 but wider than the combined thicknesses of the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50. At least a portion of the slot 30 is also preferably narrower than the width of a portion of the closure strips or a portion of another protruding structure, such as rails, ribs, and end stops of typical slider bags sold in the market. Examples of commercial slider bags that may be used with any of the embodiments disclosed herein include: Ziploc® with Easy Zipper (shown in detail in FIG. 9, and diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 17, 17b and 23-26), Hefty OneZip® (shown in FIGS. 33, 35, 40, 41 and 43), Glad® Clicklock (shown in FIG. 44), Presto® SureSeal (shown in FIG. 45), slider bags manufactured by Pliant Corporation (shown in FIG. 46) or other companies .

[0095] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the holding members 23, 24 defining the first sections 25 further includes at least one retaining member 28 and tapered surfaces defining an angled mouth 32. The angled mouth 32 provides a larger area to make it easier for a user to slide the slider bag 50 into the slot 30. Preferably, each retaining member 28 comprises a protrusion extending from a respective distal portion 34 into the first section 25. The distance between the top of the retaining members 28 and the first side 22 is greater than the height of the slider 58.

[0096] The holding device 20 also includes a double-sided adhesive tape strip 38 located on a side 42 of the support member 21 opposite the first side 22. The adhesive tape strip 38 allows the holding device 20 to be adhered to a vertical wall or under a horizontal surface, such as a shelf (not shown), which allows the user of the holding device to hang a filled slider bag 50 with the holding device 20. As noted previously, in certain other embodiments, the adhesive strip can be placed on other surfaces of the holding device 20, such as a flat surface on one of the holding members 23 or 24. Suitable adhesive strips are Removable Foam Tape 4658F or 4492W available from 3M Corporation.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, fastening slots 37 are an alternative method of attaching the holding device 20 to a surface. The fastening slots 37 are included within each end of the support member 21. A user can drive a shank of a nail or screw (not shown in FIGS. 1-4, but illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 6 by the reference number 39) through the fastening slots 37 into the surface to which the holding device 20 is to be attached. Alternatively, other types of adhesive such as silicone adhesives, epoxy adhesives, and the like, or other fastening devices, could be used to secure the holding device 20 to a surface.

[0098] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 9, after the holding device 20 has been mounted onto a surface (not shown), a user inserts one end of the slider bag 50 at which the slider 58 is positioned into one of the first sections 25. While this is typically done with the slider 58 positioned on the closure strips in a fully open position, it is more generally possible for a user to insert a an open or closed slider bag 50 into the holding device 20, with the slider positioned at a leading or trailing end (or any intermediate position) of the closure strips 56. In the illustrated embodiment, as the open slider bag 50 is inserted into the recess 32, the slider 58 is simultaneously inserted into the first portion 25 and passes over the retaining member 28 and thereafter comes into contact with the surface(s) 40 defining the neck 27. The user then grips the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50 below the holding device 20 and pushes, pulls or otherwise moves the slider bag 50 toward the end of the holding device 20 opposite where the slider bag 50 was inserted. This causes the closure strips 56 to pass through the neck 27 into second section 26. Because the neck 27 is narrower than the width of the slider 58, the slider 58 cannot move past the neck 27 and the closure strips 56 are closed by sliding through the slider 58 in response to the force exerted by the user on the side panels 52. As the user continues to move the bag 50 through the holding device 20, the slider 58 eventually reaches the trailing end of the closure strips 56 to completely close the slider bag 50. Because at least a portion of the slot 30 is narrower than the thickness of the closure strips 56, at least a portion of the closure strips 56 is supported by the surfaces defining the slot 30.

[0099] For those slider bags 50 that are longer than the holding device 20, there is a portion of the closing strips 56 that is not supported by the holding device 20. In this case the interfering contact between the slot 30 and that portion of the closing strips 56 in direct contact with the slot 30 should be sufficient to fully support the slider bag 50. In any event, as seen in FIG. 8, the slider 58 and the closure strips 56 are supported by the distal portions 34 of the holding members 23, 24 while the side panels 52 freely hang through the slot 30. As also shown in FIG. 8, the support member 21 lies in a first plane 67. The walls 52 of the bag 50 lie in a second plane 69 normal to the first plane 67.

[0100] To open the slider bag 50 and remove it from the holding device 20, the user grasps the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50 on the side of the slider bag 50 near the slider 58 and moves the slider bag 50 opposite the direction of insertion described above. The end of the slider 58 opposite the end disposed in the neck portion 27 then comes into contact with the retaining member 28, whereupon the retaining member 28 interferes with continued movement of the slider 58. As further force is applied by the user, the closure strips 56 pass through the now-stationary slider 58 and are opened. Preferably, once the closure strips 56 are entirely open, but at any time during or even before the initiation of bag opening, the slider bag 50 can be lifted so that the slider 58 moves out of interfering contact with the retaining member 28 and thus the entire slider bag 50 can be easily removed from the holding device 20 with the slider 58 in any position.

[0101] An advantage of the bidirectional device as shown in FIG. I is that the user can insert a slider bag 50 in either end and achieve the same functionality.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 5, a further embodiment of the present invention is unidirectional in the sense that it has one first section 25 located at one end 35a of the holding device 20, thereby encouraging a user to insert the slider bag 50 only at that end 35a. However, a user who inserts an open slider bag 50 into the end opposite the first section 25 can still close and support the slider bag 50. In this case, the slider 58 is eventually disposed at a location completely outside of the holding device 20, the slider 58 having been blocked by an end 35b opposite the end 35a.

[0103] FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate another embodiment of a holding device 20 according to the present invention similar to embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. The device 20 includes a support member 21 with a first side 22. Two opposing elongate walls or holding members 23, 24 extend from the first side 22 of the support member 21. The holding members 23, 24 are preferably (although not necessarily) mirror images of each other and each has a proximal portion 33, a distal portion 34 and two ends 35a, 35b. The holding members 23, 24 define a channel 36 therebetween.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding members 23, 24 are shaped such that the channel 36 includes a first section 25 at the end 35a of the holding members 23, 24 and a second section 26 narrower than the first section 25 and extending from the first section 25 to the end 35b. The dimensions of the first section 25 are sufficiently large so that a slider 58 can be inserted into the first section 25, as in the previous embodiments. The first section 25 and the second section 26 are connected by a neck 27, which narrows from the first section 25 to the second section 26. The neck 27 is defined by at least one surface 40 of the holding members 23, 24 that interferes with passage of the slider 58 through the second section 26 but which does not interfere with passage of the closure strips through the section 26 (hereinafter, the surface(s) 40 may be considered as forming a part of an interference member). Optionally, walls define one or more recesses 29 in the distal portion(s) of the first section 25. As in the embodiments described above, the purpose of the recess 29 is to reduce or eliminate any potential stress that may be exerted on the slider 58 should a heavy object be placed in the slider bag 50. As also described above, the first section 25 is preferably at least as long as the length of slider 58 so that the slider 58 can be placed completely inside the first section 25. The second section 26 has a width preferably larger than the width of the closure strips 56 of the slider bag 50, and also preferably has a dimension (height or width or a combination of the two) that is smaller than a comparable dimension (or dimensions) of the slider 58 so that the desired interfering relationship is obtained, as is described hereinabove in connection with the preceding embodiments. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5a-5f, the desired interfering relationship is obtained by causing the second section 26 to be narrower than the width of the slider 58.

[0105] As seen in FIGS. 5, 5a and 5d-5f, the respective distal portions 34 of the holding members 23, 24 further define a slot 30 that is in direct communication with the channel 36. The slot 30 is sized such that the slot 30 is narrower than the second section 26 of the channel 36 but wider than the combined thicknesses of the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50. At least a portion of the slot 30 is also preferably narrower than the width of a portion of the closure strips or a portion of another protruding structure, such as rails, ribs, and end stops of typical slider bags sold in the market.

[0106] Referring now to FIGS. 5a, 5d and 5e, each of the holding members 23, 24 defining the first section 25 further includes at least one platform 62. The angled mouth 32 provides a larger area to make it easier for a user to slide the slider bag 50 into the slot 30. Preferably, each platform 62 comprises a protrusion extending from a respective distal portion 34 into the first section 25. The distance between the top of the platform 62 and the first side 22 is greater than the height of the slider 58. Each of the platform 62 includes a retaining member 28, as seen in FIG. 5a.

[0107] Referring now to FIGS. 5c, 5d, Se and 5g, the holding device 20 further includes a ramp 45 disposed in the first section 25 of the channel 36. The ramp 45 extends from the support member 21 into the first section 25 and partially blocks the first section 25. The ramp is angled from a point in the first section 25 to a point closer to the section 26 where the ramp 45 terminates. The ramp 45 thus directs the inserted edge of the slider bag 50 toward the distal ends 34 of the holding members 23, 24 when the slider bag 50 is inserted.

[0108] The holding device 20 may be mounted to any surface as described in connection with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, a double-sided adhesive tape strip 38 may be disposed on a side 42 of the support member 21 opposite the first side 22. The adhesive tape strip 38 allows the holding device 20 to be adhered to a vertical wall or under a horizontal surface, such as a shelf (not shown), which allows the user of the holding device to hang a filled slider bag 50 with the holding device 20. As noted previously, the adhesive strip may comprise Removable Foam Tape 4492W available from 3M Corporation.

[0109] As shown in FIGS. 5a-5d, fastening holes 64 are an alternative method of attaching the holding device 20 to a surface. The fastening holes 64 are included within each end of the support member 21. A user can drive a shank of a nail or screw (not shown in FIGS. 5a-5d) through the fastening holes 64 into the surface to which the holding device 20 is to be attached. Alternatively, as noted above, other types of adhesive such as silicone adhesives, epoxy adhesives, and the like, or other fastening devices, could be used to secure the holding device 64 to a surface.

[0110] The support member 21 includes downturned marginal flanges 66a, 66b forming side retainers or clips 68a, 68b that may be used to support the holding device 20 in the fashion described hereinafter in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 16.

[0111] Once the holding device 20 has been mounted onto a surface, a user inserts one end of the slider bag 50 at which the slider 58 is positioned into the first section 25. While this is typically done with the slider 58 positioned on the closure strips in a fully open position, it is more generally possible for a user to insert an open or closed slider bag 50 into the holding device 20, with the slider positioned at a leading or trailing end (or any intermediate position) of the closure strips 56. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a-5f, as the open slider bag 50 is inserted into the recess 32, the slider 58 is simultaneously inserted into the first portion 25 and passes over the platform 62 and thereafter comes into contact with the surface(s) 40 defining the neck 27. Alternatively, as the open slider bag is inserted into the first portion 25, the edge of the slider bag 50 inserted into the holding device 20 comes into contact with the ramp 45 and is directed toward the distal ends 34 of the holding members 23,24. The slider then comes in contact with the surfaces(s) 40 defining the neck 27.

[0112] The user then grips the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50 below the holding device 20 and pushes, pulls or otherwise moves the slider bag 50 toward the end of the holding device 20 opposite where the slider bag 50 was inserted. This causes the closure strips 56 to pass through the neck 27 into second section 26. Because the neck 27 is narrower than the width of the slider 58, the slider 58 cannot move past the neck 27 and the closure strips 56 are closed by sliding through the slider 58 in response to the force exerted by the user on the side panels 52. As the user continues to move the bag 50 through the holding device 20, the slider 58 eventually reaches the trailing end of the closure strips 56 to completely close the slider bag 50. Because at least a portion of the slot 30 is narrower than the thickness of the closure strips 56, at least a portion of the closure strips 56 is supported by the surfaces defining the slot 30.

[0113] For those slider bags 50 that are longer than the holding device 20, there is a portion of the closure strips 56 that is not supported by the holding device 20. In this case the interfering contact between the slot 30 and that portion of the closing strips 56 in direct contact with the slot 30 should be sufficient to fully support the slider bag 50. In any event, the slider 58 and the closure strips 56 are supported by the distal portions 34 of the holding members 23, 24 while the side panels 52 freely hang through the slot 30.

[0114] To open the slider bag 50 and remove it from the holding device 20, the user grasps the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50 on the side of the slider bag 50 near the slider 58 and moves the slider bag 50 opposite the direction of insertion described above. The end of the slider 58 opposite the end disposed in the neck portion 27 then comes into contact with the retaining members 28 of the platforms 62, whereupon the retaining members 28 interfere with continued movement of the slider 58. As further force is applied by the user, the closure strips 56 pass through the now-stationary slider 58 and are opened. Preferably, once the closure strips 56 are entirely open, but at any time during or even before the initiation of bag opening, the slider bag 50 can be lifted so that the slider 58 moves out of interfering contact with the retaining members 28 and thus the entire slider bag 50 can be easily removed from the holding device 20 with the slider 58 in any position. The platforms 62 support one end of the bag 50 via the slider 58 so that the user has a free hand to easily access the contents of the bag 50 without spillage of the contents.

[0115] FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the present invention wherein the retaining members 28 are not present. In this embodiment, the holding device 20 includes all other aspects of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 that enable the holding device 20 to assist in closing the slider bag 50 and supporting same but this embodiment does not assist in the opening of the slider bag 50 when the slider bag 50 is removed from the holding device 20. A user inserts the slider bag 50 into the holding device 20 in exactly the same way as described above with reference to the device of FIG. 1 to achieve closure of the slider bag 50. However, when the slider bag 50 is removed from the holding device 20, the user simply pulls the bag straight out of the holding device 20 in the direction opposite the direction of insertion without any relative movement of the slider 58 and the closure strips 56.

[0116] Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, a further embodiment of the invention is shown. A holding device 120 comprises a support member 121, mirror image holding members 123, 124 and one or more slider interference member(s) each in the form of a vertically extending block or wall 131. Each of the holding members 123, 124 has a proximal portion 133, a distal portion 134, and two ends 135 and the holding members 123, 124 define a generally oval shaped channel 136 therebetween. The proximal portions 133 of the holding members 123, 124 are attached to the support member 121 and define a slot 130 that is in communication with the channel 136 between the distal portions 134. The slot 130 is wider then the combined thicknesses of the side panels 52 but narrower than the closure strips 56. The channel 136 comprises two first sections 125 and a second section 126 therebetween, the second section 126 being defined in part by the slider block or wall 131.

[0117] The slider block or wall 131 in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 is located centrally in the channel 136. The channel 136 is large enough to accommodate the slider 58 so that the slider 58 can be moved therein until the slider 58 contacts the slider block or wall 131, at which point the slider is restrained against further movement therein. In an alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 12a, a slider block or wall 171 spans a larger portion of the channel 136 and can be located off center in the channel 136, as shown, or centered in the same fashion as slider block or wall 131. As in the case of the element 131, the slider block or wall 171 defines the second section 126 that has dimensions large enough to allow the closure strips 56 to pass but small enough that the slider 58 cannot pass.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 12b, 12c, a still further embodiment of the holding device is shown. In this embodiment, the width of the channel 136 is constant throughout the entire length of the holding device except for the presence of one or more slider interference member(s) (here shown as being two in number) each in the form of a vertically extending block or wall 160. The interference members 160 prevent the slider 58 from passing farther than the interference members into the channel 136, but at the same time allow the closure strips 56 to pass through the entire length of the channel 136.

[0119] FIG. 12d shows alternative interference members 162 that differ from the interference members 160 only in terms of shape. Also, a single pair of interference members 162 can be used, if desired, as opposed to the spaced pairs illustrated in FIGS. 12b and 12c.

[0120] Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, other embodiments of the invention are shown. A holding device 220 comprises a support member 221 and mirror image holding members 223, 224. The support member 221 includes side edges 240 and end edges 242. As seen in FIG. 16, the support member 221 further includes supporting means or member in the form of side clips 244 and end clips 246 projecting from the side edges 240 and end edges 242, respectively, in the same direction as the holding members 223, 224. The side and end clips 244, 246 are used to support the holding device 220 in a wire rack system 300 such as that used in a refrigerator or a closet shelf system. The embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 is substantially identical to that of FIG. 16, except that an alternative means is provided for supporting the holding device 220. In this embodiment, the support surface includes screw holes 260 for affixing the holding device 220 to a surface utilizing screws or similar fasteners (not shown).

[0121] In the embodiments of FIGS. 13-16, the holding members are functionally the same as the design as seen and described in relation to FIG. 1, but with several additional features. Specifically, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the two mirror image holding members 223, 224 define a channel 236 and distal portions 234 of the holding members 223 and 224 define a slot 230. The slot 230 has two screw clearance bores 262 disposed directly beneath screw holes 260 to allow wood screws or similar fasteners (not shown) to pass between the holding members 223, 224 and into a support surface such as a shelf or wall (not shown). Bridging portions 266 extend from the support member 221 into the channel 236 between and in contact with the holding members 223, 224. The bridging portions 266 strengthen the holding device 220. Furthermore, the holding members 223, 224 include external support ribs 264 that further strengthen the holding device 220. First sections 225, second section 226 and neck 227 perform the same functions as shown in FIG. 1.

[0122] The side clips 244 in the embodiment of FIG. 16 can either be continuous or discontinuous. The side clips 244 may also include a series of inwardly directed marginal lips or other retention apparatus 280. These lips or other apparatus 280 clip over the rods in the wire rack to fasten the holding device to the rack. The holding device 220 is dimensioned such that the clips 244 just fit over two adjacent rods 290 of a wire rack having the greatest anticipated spacing between adjacent rods and is held in place by interference of the lips 280 with the rods on each side of the holding device 220. For narrower rack systems where the rods 290 are spaced more closely together, one of the rods 290 may be engaged by one of the lips 280 on one side of the device and the adjacent rod 290 may be engaged by walls defining at least one indentation 278 in a side wall 279 of the proximal portion of the holding member 224. One of the end clips 246 may also be clipped over an end rod 292 as shown to firmly hold the holding device 220 from sliding along the rods 290 when a user inserts the slider bag 50 into the device.

[0123] In a still further embodiment of a holding device 320 as shown in FIG. 17, the lengths of first sections 325 can be shorter than the length of the slider 58. During use of this embodiment, the slider 58 is not completely enclosed within the first sections 325 but is still held in place by holding members 323, 324 defining the first section 325 and the slider 58 is prevented from passing into a second section 326 at a neck 327. Thus, the holding device 320 assists in closing the slider bag 50 when inserted. All other features of this embodiment are similar to those shown in FIG. 1.

[0124] A modification of this embodiment, seen in FIG. 17a, further includes one or more bosses or detents 370 extending into a recess 332 from the holding members 323, 324. The bosses or detents 370 comprise an alternative to the retaining members 28 as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, the detents 370 are separated from one another by a distance sufficient to allow the slider 58 to move into the space therebetween and to thereafter present sufficient frictional resistance to movement of the slider to hold the slider 58 in place when the slider bag 50 is being pulled out of the holding device 320. Referring next to FIG. 17b, a slider 58 that may be used with such an embodiment rather than the slider disclosed in the previous FIGS. preferably includes grooves 59 partially or fully narrowing the width of the slider 58 along a portion of the length of the slider 58. When the user inserts the slider 58 into the recess 332, the user must exert pressure to force the front edge of the slider 58 past the detent 370. Once past the detent 370, the front edge of the slider 58 then comes in contact with the surfaces defining the neck 327 and is stopped. As the slider bag 50 continues to be pulled by the user the closure strips 56 pass through the slider 58 until the bag reaches the closed position. The groove 59 of the slider 58 is then preferably (although not necessarily) disposed so that the detent 370 is not in frictional contact with the slider 58. To remove the slider bag 50 from the holding device 320 the user pulls the slider bag 50 in a direction opposite from the direction of insertion. The slider 58 then comes in contact with the detent 370 and is stopped. The user continues to pull the bag in the same direction and the closure strips 56 pass through the slider 58 until the bag reaches the open position. The user thereafter pulls the slider 58 past the detent 370 to fully remove the slider bag from the holding device 320.

[0125] As should be evident from the foregoing, the detent 370 may have a shape complementary to one or more portions of the slider, or the design of one of the detent 370 and the slider 58 can be selected in dependence upon the shape of the other, so that the detent 370 and the slider 58 can cooperate in an advantageous manner.

[0126] Referring now to FIGS. 18, 18a, and 18b, a further embodiment of the invention is seen. The holding device 420 includes a support member 421 and holding members 423, 424. The holding members 423, 424 further comprise proximal and distal portions 433, 434 and are attached to the support member 421 at the proximal portion 432 and form a channel 436 therebetween. The channel 436 is open at least at one end and has dimensions larger than the slider 58 of the slider bag 50. The channel 436 further includes a slot 430 in communication with the channel 436 defined by the distal portions 434 of the holding members 423, 424; the slot 430 having a width narrower than the slider 58 but wider than the combined thicknesses of the side panels 52. The holding members 423, 424 also comprise at least one blocking member or wall 468. The blocking member or wall 468 is disposed in the channel 436 and is of a dimension to interfere with the passage of the slider 58 while allowing the closure strips 56 to pass by or between blocking members 468. While this embodiment shows two blocking members 468, one located at each end of the device, other embodiments may only include one blocking member 468 located at a suitable point within the channel 436.

[0127] FIGS. 20-23 show a still further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the open or closed slider bag 50 is slid into a holding device 520, which has been attached by double-sided adhesive tape 538 to a shelf or other suitable surface 502. The holding device 520 has holding members 523 and 524 that depend from a support member 521. The holding members 523 and 524 define a recess 525 to receive the slider 58. In this embodiment, the device also includes an interference member in the form of one or more flanges 568 carried by one or both of the holding members 523, 524 that hold the slider 58 and in turn support the slider bag 50. To further hold the slider bag in place, the device also may include one or more retaining members 528 carried at either or both ends of the flanges 568. In the illustrated embodiment the retaining members 528 comprise upstanding protrusions that are sized and spaced so that the slider 58 of the closed slider bag 50 can be inserted into the recess 525 over the retaining members 528 and is held therebetween. The retaining members 528 prevent removal of the slider 58 from the recess 525 until the slider has been lifted over the retaining members 528.

[0128] If desired, an optional end wall (not shown) may be provided at one end of the device 520 to prevent the slider 58 from being removed through the one end as or after it has been inserted. Since the sole purpose of back wall is to prevent the slider from exiting the device 520 at the one end, any blocking or barrier member that interferes with the passage of the slider can be used. As should be evident from the foregoing the embodiment of FIGS. 20-23 supports the slider 58 in turn to support the bag 50.

[0129] In FIGS. 39 and 40, an embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 20-23 is shown. In this embodiment, a series of channels 550 that are preferably (although not necessarily) parallel to one another pass through the holding device 552 at an angle relative to the horizontal. Each of the channels 550 has a first section 525 and a second section 526. The first section 525 is large enough to accommodate the slider 58. In one embodiment, the second section 526 is narrower than first section 525 so that the slider 58 is retained within the first section 525. Alternatively, an interference member similar to that shown in other embodiments can divide the first and second sections. The holding device 550 can include any number of parallel channels 552. In addition, the holding device 550 can be attached to a shelf 560 by inserting an end of the shelf 560 into a slot 558 as shown or by any of the other attaching methods described in this specification. The holding device 550 can be used to close and support the slider bag 50 via the slider 58 as described in connection with other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0130] The embodiment of FIGS. 39 and 40 has the advantage that the weight of articles stored in the bag tends to assist in the closing of the bag. This can facilitate use of the bag, both by persons unaffected by a physical disability and those with limited manual dexterity. Another advantage is that the bag will tend to close on its own if released before full closure has been achieved. Thus, the user has some assurance that bag has been fully closed even if it is questionable whether the user has moved the slider to the fully closed position.

[0131] In FIGS. 24-29, three further embodiments of the holding device of the present invention are shown. In these embodiments, the holding devices are close-only devices in that they can be used to close and support the slider bag, but not to assist in the opening of the slider bag. Each of the devices shown in FIGS. 24-29 has a support member 621 and depending holding members 623 and 624. In the device shown in FIGS. 24-27, a channel 636 formed by holding members 623 and 624 has a uniform cross section along the entire length of the channel 636. Distal portions 634 of the holding members 623 and 624 define a slot 630 that has similar dimensions and characteristics of the slots in other holding devices as previously described. At each end of the channel 636 is one or more interference member(s) 627. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 24-27, the interference member 627 comprises the ends of the holding members 623 and 624. As shown in earlier embodiments, the interference member can alternatively take a number of different shapes and/or may comprise protrusions that narrow the channel 636 only at the end(s) of the holding device. Like previous embodiments, the interference member 627 prevents the passage of the slider 58 along the device while at the same time allowing the transit or passage of the closure strips 56 through the holding device.

[0132] In both FIGS. 28 and 29, the holding device has a first section 625. However, the first section 625 in FIG. 28 is bounded by a single surface 688 closest to the slot 630. In FIG. 29, the first section 625 is bounded on two sides by surfaces 688 and 689. The surface 688 may be reinforced by optional reinforcing members in the form of gussets or webs 690.

[0133] FIGS. 30-33 illustrate a holding device for slider bags that supports certain slider bags that include one or more protruding end stops in the form of clips or deformed end portions 760. This holding device includes a support member 721 secured by an adhesive strip 738 to any desired support surface and holding members 723 and 724 that define a recess 794. The recess 794 is large enough to receive the protruding end stop 760 and is also in communication with a slot 792. The width of the slot 792 is such that both the closure strips 56 and the bag side panels 52 can pass through the slot 792, but the protruding end stops 760 cannot. Each of the distal portions 734 of the holding members 723 and 724 has an interfering member in the form of a ledge or flange 796 that supports the protruding end stop 760 and each of the ledges 796 includes an upstanding projection or protrusion 798 at the open end of the device. The protrusions 798 are sized such that the end stop 760 can be inserted into the recess 794 over the protrusions 798, but the end stop 760 is held in place to prevent accidental removal from the holding device. The holding device includes a rear wall 770 that prevents the protruding end stop 760 and bag from exiting the device in that direction. As should be evident from the foregoing, the device illustrated in FIGS. 30-33, supports the bag via the end stop 760.

[0134] FIGS. 34 and 35 show a device similar to those shown in FIGS. 24-29. In this embodiment, the channel 636 is sized so that a protruding end stop 660 can pass through the device but the slider 58 cannot pass therethrough. Also, FIG. 34 shows a hanger 699 as an alternate attachment device for the holding device. FIG. 35 shows the device holding the slider bag by closure strips 56 with the slider 58 in the closed position.

[0135] An alternative interior structure is shown in FIG. 41. In this embodiment, a channel 650 is longer than the length of a bag to be supported. The channel 650 also includes a recessed section 652 that is at least as long as most standard sized slider bags 50. The slider bag 50 is inserted into the channel 650 and the entire top portion of the slider bag 50 is placed within the channel 650. The recess 652 is sufficiently deep so that the slot 630 formed by the distal portions 634 of the holding members 623 and 624 can support the slider 58 and the closure strips 56. One or more walls defining the recess 652 can also act as a locking member and provide enough resistance to the removal of the slider 58 so that slider 58 is moved along the top of the closure strips 56 and the slider bag 50 is opened as the slider bag 50 is removed from the recess 652.

[0136] FIGS. 36 and 37 show a further embodiment of the slider bag holding device that uses two similar cams 810 that rotate about an off center axis 812 to hold a slider bag 50. The cams 810 are supported by a rod 814 or similar shaft about which cams 810 can rotate. As shown, the rods 814 pass through the cams 810 such that the cams 810 rotate in an eccentric fashion. The rods 814 are attached to a support member 821 that in turn can be attached to any suitable or desired surface. Also, the cross-sectional shape of the cams 810 is such that when the cams 810 rotate about the rods 814, the cams come together and put added pressure on the slider bag 50. If desired, the cams 810 can be spring biased. The action of the cams 810 on one or more portions of the bags including the bag walls, the closure strips 56 and the slider 58 act to support the slider bag 50.

[0137] The bag 50 is removed from the holding device of FIGS. 36 and 37 by counter-rotating one or both of the cams 810 to release the bag 50 therefrom. This counter-rotation can be effected by the user manually displacing one or both of the cams 810. Alternatively, the bag 50 may be removed by the user displacing the bag upwardly as seen in FIGS. 36 and 37 and simultaneously moving the bag 50 outwardly to a position free of the cams 810.

[0138] FIG. 38 shows a further embodiment of the invention with three support rods 950 attached to a support member 921. The rods 950 are cylindrical in shape and have a halfcircular cross section with a flat side. The spacing of rods 950 forms a slot 930 into which a slider bag 50 can be inserted such that the slider 58 and/or the closure strips 56 are disposed below the slot 930 adjacent the flat surfaces of two neighboring rods 950. The walls of the bag 50 pass over one of the rods 950 and through a slot 930 between the next pair of rods 950, except in the case of an end rod 952, where there is no further rod adjacent thereto. The article(s) stored in the bags 50 are thus conveniently positioned below the rods 950. The bags 50 with the articles therein are easily removed from the rods 950 by pulling the bags 50 along the axial direction of the rods 950.

[0139] Referring now to FIG. 19, another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment the means for supporting a holding device 1020 comprises two hanging clips 1072 that allow the holding device 1020 to be hung from a support structure, such as a rod of a wire rack, a coat hanger, or the like (not shown). While the hanging clips 1072 are shown as being molded into the top of holding device 1020, alternative clipping devices known to those skilled in the art can be substituted for clips 1072 and may be secured in any suitable fashion to the top or other surface of the holding device 1020. These alternative clips can either be fixedly attached or rotatably attached to the holding device 1020. In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, proximal portions 1033 of the holding members 1023 and 1024 are flush with the edges of the support member 1021. The flat side surfaces of holding members 1023 and 1024 allow for an alternate location for an adhesive strip that may be used to mount the holding device 1020 to a support surface, such as a vertical wall.

[0140] FIG. 42 shows a still further embodiment of the present invention that incorporates multiple holding devices that are secured together or integrally formed to obtain a ganged structure. In this embodiment, a holding device 1120 includes three holding substructures 1144 carried by a single support member 1121. In the illustrated embodiment each of the substructures 1144 has a shape generally as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4, although the holding devices may take any of the forms shown and described herein. Each substructure 1144 has mirror image holding members 1123 and 1124 that depend from a first side 1122 of the support member 1121. Each of the holding members 1123 and 1124 has a proximal portion 1133, a distal portion 1134, and two ends 1135. Each pair of holding members 1123 and 1124 defines a channel 1136 therebetween. Each channel 1136 includes a slot 1130 defined by the distal portions 1134 of the holding members 1123 and 1124. Each channel 1136 also has two first sections 1125 and a second section (not shown, but identical to the second section 26 described above) separated by necks 1127. Each substructure 1144 also includes two retaining members 1128 at each end 1135. The support member 1121 also includes multiple fastening holes 1137 through which a user can attach the holding device 1120 to a desired surface (not shown) using a fastener such as a screw or nail (not shown).

[0141] In operation, a user may insert one or more slider-type bags into one or more of the channels 1136 in the fashion described above so that the bags are supported by the holding device 1120. Thereafter the sliders of the bags may contact and be restrained against significant movement by the retaining members 1128 so that each bag may be readily opened simply by moving the bag relative to the holding device 1120. After the interior of the bag has been accessed the user may simply move the bag in the opposite direction, thereby causing the slider to engage one of the ends 1135 so that the bag is closed.

[0142] FIGS. 43-46 illustrate a Hefty OneZip® bag 1200, a Glad® Clicklock bag 1202, a Presto® SureSeal bag 1204 and a slider-type bag 1206 manufactured by Pliant Corporation, respectively, in conjunction with the holding device 621 of FIGS. 24-27. As noted above, any of such bags may alternatively be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, provided that the various elements of the holding device are dimensioned to cooperate with one or more of the bag structures as described herein to support the bag.

[0143] Furthermore, depending upon the exact application and the type of items to be held by the slider bags, one or more single or ganged holding devices can alternatively be attached to a wall or other vertical surface such that each holding device is disposed in a horizontal or non-horizontal plane. For example, as seen in FIG. 47, a plurality of holding devices 1210a, 1210b and 1210c, each similar or identical to one of the embodiments disclosed herein, are mounted in a horizontal arrangement on a vertical support surface 1212 by any suitable means, such as double-sided tape. In this example, a slider bag 1214 is held by the holding device 1210a in the same manner as described above, but instead of hanging straight down from the holding device, the side panels of the slider bag fold over and rest on one of the distal portions of the holding member. Other bags (for example, the bag 1216 illustrated in dashed lines) may be similarly held by the holding devices 1210b and 1210c, so that the bags overlap in a shingled configuration.

[0144] Referring now to FIG. 48 another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment the support member 1321 is a refrigerator shelf and the holding device 1320 is an integral part of the support member 1321. The holding members 1323, 1324 extend from a first side 1322 of the support member 1321 and are otherwise identical in form and operation to the holding members described in relation to FIG. 1. This, of course, is simply one example of the type of shelf the present invention could be integral with. This embodiment could also be formed into pantry, closet or cabinet shelves or from the underside of hanging cabinets in exactly the same manner described above.

[0145] Referring now to FIGS. 49-52, further embodiments of the current invention are shown. These embodiments are similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 except that the first section 1425 is large enough to receive and encompass the entire slider 58 of the bag 50. Furthermore, the first and second holding members 1423, 1424 have retaining members 1428 in the mouth 1432 similar to the retaining member described in relation to FIG. 4. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 49-51 the holding device 1420 includes a support member 1421 parallel to the first and second holding members 1423, 1424 and attached to first holding member 1423. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 49 this attachment is accomplished by a first bridge member 1447 that connects the support member 1421 to the first holding member 1423. It should be understood that this attachment can occur at any point on the first holding member 1423. In other embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 51, the support surface 1421 can simply be integral with the first holding member 1423. The first and second holding members are then connected by a second bridge member 1449 as shown in FIG. 50. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 52, the attachment can be made to both holding members 1423, 1424, as described in relation to FIG. 1.

[0146] In FIG. 49, the holding device 1420 includes a magnet 1451 attached by an adhesive, or other known attachment means, to the side 1442 of the support member 1421 opposite the holding members 1423, 1424. The magnet 1451 can then be attached to a refrigerator or other metal surface. The embodiment shown in FIG. 51 utilizes fastening holes or slots 1437a, 1437b in the support member 1421. A user can drive a shank of a fastener l439 through the fastening holes or slots 1437a, 1437b and into a surface to secure the holding device 1420. Each of the holding members 1423, 1424 has a cut-out portion 1453 that allows the user access to the fastening slot or slot 1437a. Preferably, although not necessarily, in both the embodiments shown in FIG. 49 and FIG. 50, once the holding device 1420 is secured, either by a magnet 1451 or fastener 1439 respectively, a bag (not shown) is inserted into the device 1420 such that the bag walls hang parallel to the surface to which the holding device 1420 is secured. FIG. 49a further illustrates that the support member 1421 lies in a first plane 1467. When a bag (not shown) is inserted into the device 1420 and is supported thereby, the walls of the bag lie in a second plane 1469 parallel to the first plane 1467. Stated in another way, the second plane 1469 is defined by a channel 1436 and a slot 1430 of the device 1420 and is parallel to the first plane 1467.

[0147] In FIG. 52 a holding device 1420 having three of the pairs of holding members 1423, 1424 similar to the pairs shown in FIGS. 49 and 51 and capable of holding three bags is shown. The holding device 1420 is secured by fasteners 1439 driven through fastening slots or holes 1437 in the support member 1421 and into a surface. Similar to the holding device described in relation to FIG. 1, each of the sets of holding members 1423, 1424 has a distal end 1434 that defines a slot 1430. As seen in FIG. 52a, the slot has a longitudinal extent that defines a line 1473. The support member 1421 defines a plane 1467 that is transverse to the line 1473.

[0148] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 49-52 have all the advantages of the embodiments of FIGS. 39 and 40 plus the additional benefit of assisting the user in opening the bag 50 when the bag is moved in the direction of the retaining member 1428 while the slider 58 of the bag 50 is held within the first section 1425 by the interference thereof with the interference member 1428. This provides even greater assistance to persons with limited manual dexterity.

[0149] In FIG. 53 yet another embodiment is shown. The holding device 1520 is similar to the holding device 20 of FIG. 1 except that the support member 1521 is adapted to hang from a side of a shelf 1555 of a refrigerator, cabinet, pantry, closet, etc. The support member 1521 includes a first portion 1557 and a second portion 1559. The holding members 1523, 1524 extend from a first side 1522 of the first portion 1557 near or at one end of the portion 1557. The second portion 1559 also extends from the first side 1522 of the first portion 1557 at or near an end of the portion 1557 opposite the holding members 1523, 1524. In operation, the second portion 1559 rests on the shelf 1555 and the first portion 1557 and the holding member 1523, 1524 extend below the shelf 1555. The side 1542 of the first portion 1557 opposite the holding members 1523, 1524 contacts a side wall 1561 of the refrigerator cabinet, pantry, closet, etc. A bag 50 hangs from the members 1523, 1524 in the fashion noted with respect to any of the embodiments described above and extends downwardly from the holding device 1520 and along the side wall 156. This embodiment allows the efficient use of space that has, in the past, been under utilized in the refrigerator, cabinet, pantry, closet, etc.

Industrial Applicability

[0150] In each of the embodiments disclosed herein a method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag includes the steps of contacting the slider with a holding device, applying a first force to the thermoplastic bag in a first direction, and applying a second force to the holding device in a second direction so that the thermoplastic bag moves relative to the holding device and the slider. The first force may be applied by a user's hand or another force transmission element. The second force may be exerted by a user's hand or the holding device may be secured to a stationary or movable object, and the force may comprise a resisting or anchoring force exerted by the object.

[0151] As should be evident, one may use single or ganged multiple holding devices that are secured to a vertical support surface, a horizontal support surface or a non-horizontal and non-vertical support surface in any configuration and/or orientation desired by the user so that the bags are maintained in a desired arrangement including side by side, overlapping (i. e., the shingled arrangement) and cascading (i. e., an arrangement where the bags are disposed one above the other but not touching).

[0152] The holding devices of the present invention can be made from most any rigid material such as plastics, glass, metal, wood and similar substances. The only important features of the materials of construction are that they be relatively rigid, be inexpensive, and can be readily formed into a desired shape. Suitable plastic materials include polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene, nylon and a wide variety of other similar homopolymers and copolymer materials. Typically the holding device is molded as a single piece; however a multi-part construction could be utilized without deviating from the present invention. Any suitable molding technique can be used to form these devices, including injection molding, and thermoforming. Additionally, the holding devices can be formed in multiple parts that are snapped or pressed together during manufacture and assembly. Another well known manufacturing method utilizes the flexible nature of thin areas of the molded parts and folds and snaps a single flatly molded part into the three dimensional holding devices as shown.

[0153] While the present invention has been described as supporting a bag via closure strips, an end stop or a slider, it should be understood that the bag could instead be supported via other portions of the slider bags 56 that are wider than the combined thicknesses of the slider bag walls or side panels 52. These portions include various types of ribs or rails that may be added to the extension of the closure strips or to at least one of the side panels 52 of the slider bag. One example of this structure comprises the rails 660 illustrated in FIG. 27 that maintain the slider 58 on the closure strips 56. Generally, these structures are located between the closure strips and the bottom of the slider bag, although they may be disposed between the closure strips and the top of the bag. Also, instead of being supported by one of the closure strips, the end stop, the slider or another portion, the bag may be supported via combinations of these structures, if desired. That is, the holder may include multiple interfering portions that simultaneously interfere with multiple bag portions described above such that the multiple bag portions rest thereon so that the bag is supported.

[0154] The above-described embodiments allow a user to address a variety of home storage problems. First, the holding devices enable a user to store and organize reclosable bags to fully utilize available storage space. For example, in a refrigerator, closet, pantry or the like the present invention allows a user to hang bags from the underside of a shelf, thus freeing up the shelf surface space for the storage of other items. This type of use also ensures that the bags are clearly in view and always in the same location, thus increasing the likelihood that any perishable food will be utilized before spoilage occurs.

[0155] Another advantage of the present invention is to ensure a complete seal of the bag that is being used. In certain embodiments the slider is held in place while the bag is slid into the device, and hence the user is able to ensure that the bag is completely sealed and the contents will remain safely and securely within the bag. This advantage is especially useful in relation to food storage since the food within the bag will remain fresh longer if it is sealed from the surrounding environment. This type of use also gives the advantage that users with diminished manual dexterity are more easily able to utilize reclosable bags.

[0156] Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.

Claims

1. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end and a slider for opening and closing the reclosable seal, the holding device comprising:

a support surface;

a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel;

the channel having a first section for receiving the slider and a second section for receiving a portion of the bag, the channel further having a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the bag portion through the slot.

2. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the bag portion comprises closure strips.

3. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the bag portion comprises rails.

4. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the bag portion comprises end stops.

5. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the first section has a portion that interferes with the slider.

6. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the first section includes a recessed portion in which the slider is disposed.

7. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion is defined by an upstanding retaining member that interferes with withdrawal of the slider from the recessed portion.

8. The holding device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the bag portion.

9. The holding device of claim 1, wherein each of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the bag portion.

10. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the holding members include recessed portions at opposite ends thereof for receiving the slider.

11. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the first section further includes a ramp extending from the support surface toward the distal end of the holding members and partially blocking the first section.

12. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the support surface defines a first plane and the slot and channel define a second plane normal to the first plane.

13. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the support surface defines a first plane and the slot and channel define a second plane parallel to the first plane.

14. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the support surface further comprises first and second sections, the first section having first and second ends, the holding members being adjacent to the first end and the second section extending from first end normal to the first section.

15. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the slot has a longitudinal extent defining a line and wherein the support surface defines a plane that is transverse to the line.

16. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a slider for opening and closing the closure strips, the holding device comprising:

a support surface;

a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel;

the channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider and a second section for receiving only the closure strips but not the slider, the channel further communicating with a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the closure strips through the slot.

17. The holding device of claim 16, wherein there is a first section at both ends of the channel.

18. The holding device of claim 16, wherein there is a first section at only one end of the channel.

19. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the first section includes at least one retaining member.

20. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the first section does not include a retaining member.

21. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the length of the first section is less than the length of the slider.

22. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the support surface includes means for supporting the holding device.

23. The holding device of claim 22, wherein the supporting means is an adhesive strip attached to the side of the support surface opposite the holding members.

24. The holding device of claim 22, wherein the supporting means is a clip.

25. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the support surface has peripheral clips.

26. The holding device of claim 25, wherein the clips are spaced to interfit with two parallel rods of a rack.

27. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the first section of the channel has at least one open side.

28. The holding device of claim 16, wherein an interference member is placed between the first and second sections of the channel.

29. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels, a reclosable seal at one end thereof and a slider for opening and closing the reclosable seal, the holding device comprising:

a support surface; and

a pair of elongate holding members each having a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel and at least one of the holding members is disposed adjacent the support surface;

the channel including first and second sections, the first section having dimensions for receiving at least a portion of the slider and being wider than the second section and the channel further including a slot defined by the distal portions of the holding members, the width of the slot being narrower than the width of the second section of the channel.

30. The holding device of claim 29, wherein there is a first section at both ends of the channel.

31. The holding device of claim 29, wherein there is a first section at only one end of the channel.

32. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the first section includes at least one retaining member.

33. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the first section does not include a retaining member.

34. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the length of the first section is less than the length of the slider.

35. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the support surface includes means for supporting the holding device.

36. The holding device of claim 35, wherein the supporting means is an adhesive strip attached to the side of the support surface opposite the first and second holding members.

37. The holding device of claim 35, wherein the supporting means is a clip.

38. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the support surface has peripheral clips.

39. The holding device of claim 39, wherein the clips are spaced to interfit with two parallel rods of a rack.

40. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the first section of the channel has at least one open side.

41. The holding device of claim 29, wherein an interfering member is disposed between the first and second sections of the channel.

42. The holding device of claim 29, wherein both of the holding members are located adjacent the support surface.

43. The holding device of claim 29, wherein only one of the holding members is located adjacent the support surface, and wherein the holding device further includes a bridge connecting the holding members.

44. A holding device for a reclosable thermoplastic slider bag, wherein the slider bag includes a sealable end at which closure strips are disposed for sealing the sealable end, the slider bag further including a slider for closing the closure strips, the width of the slider being wider than the width of the closure strips, the holding device comprising:

a support surface;

a pair of elongate holding members substantially parallel to one another and integrally attached to the support surface, the holding members defining a channel with a length and two ends, the channel being open at each end with an open slot between the holding members running the length of the channel, the slot being narrower than the channel; and

an interference member disposed adjacent the channel for stopping the slider of a thermoplastic slider bag while allowing the closure strips to pass therethrough.

45. The holding device of claim 44, wherein the interference member defines an opening wider than the closure strips of the slider bag and narrower than the slider of the slider bag.

46. The holding device of claim 44, wherein the interfering member comprises at least one protrusion extending into the channel a distance sufficient to prevent passage of the slider but to allow passage of the closing strips.

47. A method of storing an item, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the item in a storage bag wherein the storage bag includes a closure strip and a slider mounted for sliding movement on the closure strip;

providing a holding member supported by a support surface wherein the holding member defines a channel, the channel having a width larger than a first thickness of the bag at a first portion thereof and wherein the channel includes a slot having a width that is smaller than the first thickness but larger than a second thickness of the bag at a second portion thereof; and

sliding the first portion of the storage bag into the channel such that the slider contacts and is moved toward a closed position by the holding member and such that the first portion of the storage bag is in interfering relationship with the holding member.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of sliding includes the step of inserting the slider into a recess of the holding member.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the recess includes a first recess portion that receives the slider when the slider is initially inserted into the recess and a second recess portion disposed below the first recess portion that receives the slider after the slider is initially inserted into the recess.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the second portion of the recess is disposed adjacent a locking member that interferes with removal of the slider from the recess when the slider is disposed in the second portion of the recess.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the support surface comprises a horizontal surface.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the support surface comprises a vertical surface.

53. The method of claim 48, including the further step of securing the holding member to the support surface.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of securing comprises the step of adhering the holding member to the support surface.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of securing comprises the step of fastening the holding member to the support surface.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein the support surface comprises a wire rack.

57. The method of claim 56, including the further step of securing the holding member to the wire rack.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the holding member includes a supporting member and wherein the step of securing the mounting member comprises the step of interfitting a portion of the wire rack with the supporting member.

59. The method of claim 48, wherein the support surface comprises a shelf surface.

60. The method of claim 48, wherein the closure strip is disposed in a horizontal orientation when the first portion of the bag is slid into the channel.

61. The method of claim 48, wherein the closure strip is disposed in a vertical orientation when the first portion of the bag is slid into the channel.

62. The method of claim 48, wherein the closure strip is disposed in other than a vertical and horizontal orientation when the first portion of the bag is slid into the channel.

63. The method of claim 48, including the further step of placing a further item in a further storage bag substantially identical to the first-named storage bag, providing a further holding member substantially identical to and adjacent the first-named holding member and sliding a first portion of the further storage bag into a channel of the further holding member such that a slider of the further storage bag contacts and is moved toward a closed position by the holding member and such that the first portion of the further storage bag is in interfering relationship with the further holding member.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the first-named storage bag is disposed in overlying relationship atop the further storage bag.

65. The method of claim 63, wherein the first-named storage bag is disposed in side-by-side relationship next to the further storage bag.

66. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips, a slider for opening and closing the closure strips and a protruding end stop, the holding device comprising:

a support surface;

a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel, the channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider, the channel further having a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the closure strips of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of an end stop through the slot.

67. The holding device of claim 66, wherein at least one of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the end stop.

68. The holding device of claim 66, wherein each of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the end stop.

69. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a slider for opening and closing the closure strips, the holding device comprising:

a support surface;

a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel, the channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider, the channel further having a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the closure strips of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the slider through the slot.

70. The holding device of claim 69, wherein at least one of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the slider.

71. The holding device of claim 69, wherein each of the holding members includes a portion that interferes with the slider.

72. A method of supporting a thermoplastic storage bag wherein the bag includes a closure strip, an end stop at an end of the closure strip, a slider disposed on the closure strip and a rail maintaining the slider on the closure strip, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween wherein at least one of the walls includes an interfering portion;

inserting the bag into the channel such that the slider contacts a portion of the holder and is displaced from an initial position; and

releasing the bag such that at least one of the closure strip, the rail, the end stop and the slider interferes with the interfering portion to support the bag in the holder.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the closure strip includes a rail and wherein the step of releasing includes the step of causing the rail to rest on the interfering portion.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the step of releasing includes the step of causing the end stop to rest on the interfering portion.

75. The method of claim 72, wherein the step of releasing includes the step of causing the slider to rest on the interfering portion.

76. The method of claim 72, wherein the interfering portion comprises at least one member carried by at least one of the walls.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the walls include a portion defining a recess for receiving the slider.

78. The method of claim 76, wherein each of the walls carries an interfering portion.

79. A method of supporting a thermoplastic bag, wherein the bag includes closure strips and a slider disposed on the closure strips for opening and closing the strips, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween;

inserting a reclosable thermoplastic bag into the holder so that the slider is received in the channel and the bag is supported by the holder; and

exerting a force on the bag to move the bag in relation to the slider, whereby the slider is maintained in a substantially stationary position and the closure strips pass through the slider.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the step of exerting results in opening of the bag.

81. The method of claim 79, wherein the step of exerting results in closing of the bag.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein the thermoplastic bag comprises a slidertype bag selected from the group consisting of a Ziploc® with Easy Zipper bag, a Hefty OneZip® bag, a Glad® Clicklock bag, a Presto® SureSeal bag and a bag manufactured by Pliant Corporation.

83. A method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag, the method comprising the steps of:

contacting the slider with a holding device;

applying a first force to the thermoplastic bag in a first direction; and

applying a second force to the holding device in a second direction so that the thermoplstic bag moves relative to the holding device and the slider.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the first force is applied by a user's hand.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the holding device is attached by supporting means to a surface.

86. The method of claim 85 wherein the supporting means comprises an adhesive strip.

87. The method of claim 85 wherein the supporting means comprises screws.

88. The method of claim 83 wherein the second force is applied by a user's hand.

89. A method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag, the method comprising the steps of:

contacting the slider with a holding device;

anchoring the holding device;

gripping the bag; and

moving the gripped bag relative to the holding device and the slider.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the slider is moved to an opened position.

91. The method of claim 89 wherein the slider is moved toward a closed position.

92. The method of claim 89 wherein the step of anchoring is accomplished by attaching the holding device to a surface by a supporting means.

93. The method of claim 92 wherein the supporting means comprises an adhesive strip.

94. The method of claim 92 wherein the supporting means comprises screws.

95. The method of claim 92 wherein the step of moving is accomplished by force applied by a user's hand.

96. The method of claim 89 wherein the step of anchoring is accomplished by force applied by a user's hand.