Abstract: A bag stuffer for placement in a bag, comprising a first panel, a second panel, and an articulated support beam connected between the first and second panels. The articulated beam has a collapsed storage position with the first and second panels substantially adjacent each other and substantially parallel to each other for a storage position of the bag, and an extended or expanded bracing position for holding the first and second panels spaced from each other and for holding the bag in a stuffed display position. The articulated support beam also has at least two beam panels and at least one elastic band for biasing the two beam panels toward each other for biasing the articulated support beam from the collapsed storage toward the expanded bracing position.

Abstract: A bag stuffer for an expandable bag has an insert movable from a collapsed to an expanded orientation and made of at least one substantially rigid and substantially planar side panel and a bottom panel. The side panel is connected to one end of the bottom panel at a hinge containing a fold between the side panel and the bottom panel and a Z shaped torsion spring biases the insert toward the expanded orientation. The spring has a torso disposed only at the hinge for directly acting on the fold to bias the side panel away from the bottom panel and toward the expanded orientation, and a pair of arms extending at angles from opposite ends of the torso, each arm lying flat against an inside surface of the respective bottom panel and side panel.

Abstract: A bag stuffer for an expandable bag has an insert that is movable from a collapsed orientation for enabling compact storage of an expandable bag containing the insert, to an expanded orientation for providing a commercial display of an expandable bag containing the insert. The insert includes one or two substantially rigid and substantially planar side panels and a bottom panel having opposite ends. The one or two side panels are connected to one or both of the opposite ends of the bottom panel at a hinge area containing a fold between the sides panels and the bottom panel. A biasing torsion spring, memory plastic at the hinge areas or leaf spring biases the insert toward the expanded orientation, the biasing force being applied in the hinge area for directly acting on the fold to bias the side panels away from the bottom panel and toward the expanded orientation.

Abstract: A bag stuffer for an expandable bag includes an insert defining a pair of substantially planar elements movable from a collapsed orientation enabling compact storage of the expandable bag to an expanded orientation providing a commercial display thereof. The insert is biased to the expanded orientation but a releasable restraint, disposed about the insert and at least partially within the expandable bag, restrains movement of the insert from the collapsed orientation to the expanded orientation. The restraint is preferably a loop of a flexible strip formed by heat sealing one end of the strip to a strip portion adjacent the other end of the strip at at least one point to define a rupturable heat-seal bond.

Abstract: An expander, suitable for use in an expandable bag having a closure, includes a stuffer movable from a collapsed orientation wherein the stuffer is substantially flat to an expanded orientation wherein said stuffer is not substantially flat. The stuffer is biased for movement from the collapsed orientation to the expanded orientation. A tearable band disposed about the stuffer releasably maintains the stuffer in the collapsed orientation, and a tearing mechanism is provided for tearing the tearable band to enable the stuffer to move from the collapsed orientation to the expanded orientation, the tearing means being operable from outside the bag.The stuffer is disposed in the bag in the collapsed orientation with the closure closed, the tearable band being disposed in the bag and the tearing mechanism being disposed partially within the bag and partially without the bag.