APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING A BAG

Abstract

A sealing apparatus is provided. The sealing apparatus includes an elongated sealing portion extending from a first proximal connected end to a distal end. The sealing apparatus also includes an elongated receiver portion extending from a second proximal connected end to a distal opened end. The receiver portion includes a gap extending along a length of the receiver portion, at least one engagement aperture for accommodating the sealing portion therein, and one or more lugs extending generally outwardly therefrom. The sealing apparatus further includes a flexible member. The flexible member joins the sealing portion and the receiver portion at their respective proximal connected ends and operates to allow the sealing portion and the receiver portion to be pivoted relative to one another between a sealed position and a released position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/656,027, filed on Sep. 4, 2003, and claims benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/083,063, filed on Jul. 23, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to closure devices. More particularly, the present invention, in certain aspects, provides an apparatus for sealing bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of products are offered for sale in hermetically sealed bags to prevent the contamination of the product, and to generally preserve the quality of the product prior to sale. When the bag is opened by a consumer, the product contained therein is exposed to air, which may progressively degrade the quality of the product. For example, where the product is a food product, an opened bag generally exposes the product to microbial agents such as bacteria that accelerate the decay of the product. The food product may also be exposed to atmospheric moisture that may render the food product less appealing. Alternatively, moisture present in the food product may be lost to the atmosphere, so that the food product becomes dehydrated. As a consequence, it is frequently necessary to reseal a bag after opening in order to preserve the food product.

One prior art apparatus for resealing an opened bag is a spring clamp device having a pair of opposed and elongated jaws that clamp the opened end of the bag closed. Known spring clamp devices are generally available only in limited sizes so that the elongated jaws may not extend the entire width of the opened end portion of the bag. As a result, the spring clamp device may fail to adequately seal an opened bag properly. In addition, known spring clamp devices are comprised of numerous parts, and therefore are relatively expensive to manufacture.

Another prior art apparatus for sealing an opened bag is the well-known ZIP-LOC closure. Although the ZIP-LOC closure desirably permits an opened bag to be hermetically resealed, the bag that is supplied to the consumer must be configured with the ZIP-LOC closure. Since many currently-available food products are provided in bags that do not include the ZIP-LOC closure, a consumer is required to transfer the contents from a bag that does not possess the ZIP-LOC closure into a bag that has a ZIP-LOC closure in order to attain the desirable features associated with the ZIP-LOC closure. Since this may require the purchase of additional bags, this approach constitutes an added expense for a consumer. Additionally, ZIP-LOC type closures have a tendency to fail under harsh conditions, such as for example when used on bags containing goods which are to be stored frozen.

Still other bag resealing devices are known in the art. For example, flat closures of the type commonly found on bags containing bread and the like are useful for retaining the bag contents within the bag, but generally only partially hermetically seal the contents of the bag. As a result, flat closures are generally found only on food products having a limited shelf life.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a bag sealing apparatus that may be applied to many types of opened bags, and that may be conveniently and rapidly attached to the bag to provide an effective seal that is substantially air-tight under a variety of conditions. It would further be desirable to have a bag resealing device that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a sealing apparatus is provided. The sealing apparatus includes an elongated sealing portion extending from a first proximal connected end to a distal end. The sealing apparatus also includes an elongated receiver portion extending from a second proximal connected end to a distal opened end. The receiver portion includes a gap extending along a length of the receiver portion, at least one engagement aperture for accommodating the sealing portion therein, and one or more lugs extending generally outwardly therefrom. The sealing apparatus further includes a flexible member. The flexible member joins the sealing portion and the receiver portion at their respective proximal connected ends and operates to allow the sealing portion and the receiver portion to be pivoted relative to one another between a sealed position and a released position.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described illustrative implementations of the invention, including best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a bag sealing apparatus in a released position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a bag sealing apparatus in a sealed position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a bag sealing apparatus in a released position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the underside of the proximal end of a bag sealing apparatus according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts perspective view of a bag sealing apparatus in a sealed position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of a sealing apparatus in a sealed position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a bag sealing apparatus in a sealed position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a bag sealing apparatus in a sealed position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an isometric and exploded view of a bag sealing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the bag sealing apparatus of FIGS. 9 and 10 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the bag sealing apparatus of FIGS. 9 and 10 according to another alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 applied to a bag.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is an exploded, isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to still a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus according to yet a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sealing apparatus for use in sealing an open end of a bag, pouch, tube, or similar container. The various aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a bag sealing apparatus 100 in a released position according to some embodiments. The sealing apparatus 100 may include a sealing portion 112 and a receiver portion 114 pivotably coupled by a living hinge, or flexible member 124, such that the sealing apparatus 100 forms a unitary structure. Generally, by operation of the flexible member 124, the sealing portion 112 and receiver portion 114 may be pivoted with respect to one another from a sealed position (FIG. 2) to a released position (FIG. 3) to accommodate sealing and/or unsealing of a bag.

In some embodiments, receiver portion 114 may include an elongate member extending from a proximal connected end 115 to a distal opened end 117. The receiver portion 114 includes a centrally-positioned engagement aperture 116 that may extend along substantially the entire length of the receiver portion 114. While engagement aperture 116 is depicted as a circular aperture, engagement aperture may have any shape, such as for example, elliptical or polygonal. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the engagement aperture 116 may be sized and shaped to receive the sealing portion 112 therein. In further embodiments, engagement aperture 116 may be circumferentially expandable to accommodate movement of the sealing portion 112 into and out of the engagement aperture 116.

Receiver portion 114 may further include a gap 118 extending along substantially the entire length of the receiver portion 114 on a side of the receiver portion 114 adjacent the sealing portion 112. The gap 118 may define a pair of opposed opening ridges 119 extending along substantially the entire length of the receiver portion 114. Gap 118 may generally maintain a constant width between the ridges 119 along the length of the receiver portion 114. In certain implementations, the constant width between ridges 119 may be less than the widest dimension of the sealing portion 112.

In some implementations, receiver portion 114 may have a non-uniform cross-section. For example, in one embodiment, proximally connected end 115 may have a substantially U-shaped cross section, where one or more lugs begin to extend generally outwardly from the receiver portion at a position spaced distally apart from the proximal connected end, and wherein the distance the lugs extend outwardly from the receiver portion increases in the distal direction. At a position spaced distally apart from the proximal connected end 115, one or more lugs 120 may begin to extend generally outwardly from the receiver portion 114. The distance lugs 120 extend from the receiver portion may increase in the distal direction, such that the lugs 120 extend outwardly from the receiver portion 114 a maximum distance at approximately the distal opened end 117 (i.e., the lugs 120 taper as they extend proximally (FIGS. 5-6)). Alternatively, the receiver portion 114 may have a substantially uniform cross section. That is, receiver portion 114 may have a U-shaped cross section along substantially its entire length or receiver portion 114 may have lugs 120 that extend outwardly therefrom a predetermined distance along substantially its entire length.

In certain implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the lugs 120 of receiver portion 114 may extend outwardly and downwardly from a location that is spaced apart from the gap 118 such that indented gripping surfaces 122 are defined between the receiver portion 114 and both of a top and bottom side of the lugs 120. Generally, lugs 120 and the indented gripping surfaces formed thereby assist a user in manipulating the respective portions of the apparatus 100, as will be described in greater detail below.

Receiver portion 114, at its proximal connected end 115, may be coupled to flexible member 124. In certain implementations, the receiver portion 114 may be integrally formed with flexible member 124. Alternatively, receiver portion 114 may be coupled to the flexible member 124 by any suitable connection means, such as for example, epoxy or heat welding.

The bag sealing apparatus 100 may further include an elongated sealing portion 112 extending from a proximal connected end 126 to a distal end 128. Generally, sealing portion 112 may be sized and shaped such that in the sealed position, substantially the entire sealing portion 112 may be accommodated in the engagement aperture 116 of the receiver portion 114. In this regard, the sealing portion 112 may have a cross-section that is substantially complementary to the shape of engagement aperture 116. For example, sealing portion 112 may have a generally circular, or partially circular cross section, which may be solid or may be at least partially solid, so that the sealing portion 112 is generally tubular. As shown (FIG. 4), sealing portion 112 has a partially circular, c-shaped cross section, defining a channel 123 on the underside of sealing portion 112 extending for a length of the sealing portion 112. Generally, channel 123 may be sized and shaped to allow sealing portion 112 to flex inwardly under a compressing force, such that channel 123 may be circumferentially compressible. Such circumferential compression may be particularly advantageous when the sealing apparatus 100 is being employed on bags having substantial thickness. Alternatively, sealing portion 112 may approximate a polygonal cross section such as, for example, a square, a hexagon, an octagon, or may be a combination of multiple cross-sectional shapes such as part circle-part square, two circles, and combinations and variations thereof.

In some embodiments, sealing portion 112 may include a gripping member 130, which may be positioned distally adjacent to the distal end 128 of sealing portion 112. Gripping member 130 may be formed integrally with respect to the sealing portion 112, or alternatively, may be coupled to the sealing portion 112 by a number of suitable connection means. Generally, gripping member 130 may assist a user in manipulating the respective portions of the apparatus 100, as will be described in greater detail below.

In certain implementations, a top exterior surface 132 of the gripping member 130 may be shaped generally complementary to a top exterior surface 134 of the receiver portion 114, at least at distal opened end 117, such that in the sealed position, the top exterior surface of the sealing apparatus 100 is a substantially continuous surface (FIGS. 7-8). Alternatively, the gripping member 130 may be configured in a number of shapes suitable for grasping by a user.

Sealing portion 112, at its proximal connected end 126, may be coupled to flexible member 124. In certain implementations, the sealing portion 112 may be integrally formed with flexible member 124. Alternatively, sealing portion 112 may be coupled to the flexible member 124 by any suitable connection means.

In some embodiments, flexible member 124 may integrally join receiver portion 114 to sealing portion 112 as well as allow sealing portion 112 and receiver portion 114 to be pivoted relative to one another to accommodate sealing and/or unsealing of a bag. Such an integrally formed structure is advantageous in that it reduces the number of components necessary to manufacture and operate the sealing apparatus 100, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and rendering the device less susceptible to failure and/or breakdown.

In alternative embodiments, flexible member 124 and/or gripping member 130 may be joined to sealing portion 112 and receiver portion 114 by any suitable connection means, such as for example, epoxy or heat welding. Forming the sealing apparatus using such connection means may allow for considerable manufacturing flexibility. That is, because flexible member 124 and/or gripping member 130 would be injection molded separately, sealing apparatuses 100 having sealing portions 112 and receiver portions 114 of various sizes (e.g., length) may be assembled without requiring fabrication of injection molds/dies for each size.

Additionally, in a released position, flexible member 124 may provide a biasing force to either or both of the receiver portion 114 and sealing portion 112 such that the receiver portion 114 and sealing portion 112 tend to come together. In certain embodiments, the biasing force may be of insufficient magnitude to cause sealing portion 112 to be received in the engagement aperture 116 of the receiver portion 114, but in the released position, in the absence of external forces, the sealing portion 112 and receiver portion 114 may be arranged generally adjacent. That is, sealing apparatus 100 may not achieve the sealed position without additional force being applied to either or both of the receiver portion 114 and sealing portion 112 by a user of the apparatus 100. In this regard, the biasing force created by flexible member 124 is particularly advantageous in that it aids a user in bringing the sealing apparatus 100 into the sealed position.

As shown in FIG. 2, flexible member 124 may be configured as a substantially o-shaped member when apparatus 100 is in a sealed position. Such a configuration accommodates storage of the sealing apparatus, such as for example, by accommodating hanging of the sealing apparatus 100, e.g., hanging on nails, hooks, knobs, and the like. Additionally, o-shaped member may serve as a handle for a use in carrying the sealing apparatus. Alternatively, flexible member 124 may be configured in any suitable shape, such as for example, ellipsoidal or polygonal. It will be appreciated that, in further alternative embodiments, flexible member 124 may be replaced by any suitable hinge that allows receiver portion 114 and sealing portion 112 to be pivoted relative to one another. In some embodiments, flexible member 124 may be comprised of a durable and flexible plastic, such as for example, a polyethylene, or a polypropylene copolymer, such that flexible member 124 may function as a living hinge.

Referring to FIG. 3, an angle α represents an angular range of rotation for receiver portion 114 relative to sealing portion 112 which may reasonably prevent failure and/or breakage of flexible member 124. Angle α is measurable from a longitudinal axis (line A-A) of receiver portion 114 to a longitudinal axis (line B-B) of sealing portion 112. In the embodiment shown, angle α has a maximum of approximately 45 degrees, and thus receiver portion 114 may rotated relative to sealing portion 112 from 0 degree up to approximately 45 degrees. In alternative embodiments, sealing portion 112 and receiver portion 114 may be rotated relative to one another any distance, such as for example up to about 180 degrees or more.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the underside of a proximal end of the sealing apparatus 100 according to some embodiments. As shown, one or more stiffening ribs 138 may extend distally from a portion of the flexible member 124 along at least a portion of the sealing portion 112. In certain implementations, stiffening ribs 138 may extend substantially the entire length of the sealing member 112. Stiffening ribs 138 may be formed integrally with either or both of the sealing portion 112 and flexible member 124, or alternatively, be coupled to the sealing portion 112 and flexible member 124 by any suitable attachment means. Generally, stiffening ribs 138 may increase the rigidity of the sealing portion 112 such that an effective seal may be achieved between the receiver portion 114 and sealing portion 112. In this regard, the shape and size of stiffening ribs 138 may vary depending on the intended use of the sealing apparatus 100. For example, stiffening ribs 138 may be reduced or eliminated in sealing apparatuses intended for use in cold conditions, such as for example, a freezer.

Sealing apparatus 100 may be used to seal a bag (not shown). The bag may be a partially sealed envelope having an opening to receive contents into the bag. The sealing apparatus 100, in the released position, is applied to the bag generally proximate to the bag opening with the sealing portion 112 generally parallel to bag opening. As shown in FIG. 1, in the released position, the sealing portion 112 and the receiver portion 114 are angled with respect to one another, and thus, mutually spaced apart. The opening of the bag may then be threaded between the mutually spaced apart sealing portion 112 and receiver portion 114. The receiver portion 114 may then be impressed against the sealing portion 112. As the receiver portion 112 is continuously pressed against the receiver portion 14, the sealing portion 12 moves through the gap 118 and into the engagement aperture 116 with a portion of the bag proximate to the opening threaded between the sealing portion 112 and the receiver portion 114. When the sealing portion 112 is fully engaged with the receiver portion 114 (i.e., in the sealed position), the portion of the bag proximate to the opening is sealably interposed between the sealing portion 112 and the engagement aperture 116 of the receiver portion 114.

The bag sealing apparatus 100 may be removed from the bag by grasping a portion of the sealing portion 112 that extends beyond an end of the receiver portion 114, such as for example, the gripping member 124. While grasping the gripping member 124, a force may be applied to the lugs 20 to move the sealing portion 112 through the gap 118 of the receiver portion 114, so that the sealing portion 112 and the receiver portion 114 are again in a released position. The portion of the bag proximate to the bag opening may now be separated from the sealing portion 112 and/or the receiver portion 114 so that an interior portion of the bag may be accessed.

In some embodiments, sealing portion 112, receiver portion 114, and/or the flexible member 124 may be comprised of any semi-rigid or rigid materials that are elastically deformable, such as for example metals and polymeric materials. In certain implementations, sealing portion 112, receiver portion 114, and flexible member 124 may be comprised of the same material, different materials, or any combinations thereof. In one specific embodiment, the sealing portion 112, receiver portion 114, and flexible member 124 be formed from any of a polyurethane, a polyethylene, and/or a polypropylene copolymer.

As shown, sealing apparatus 100 may be formed as a unitary structure. Contrasted with sealing apparatuses having two or more separate components, the sealing apparatus 100 of the present disclosure has several advantages. For example, the unitary structure accommodates sealing of a bag with only one hand. That is, using only one hand, a user may thread the opening of a bag between the spaced apart sealing portion 112 and receiver portion 114, and then using only the same hand, may impress the receiver portion 114 against the sealing portion 112 to achieve the sealed position. As a further example, the unitary structure provides an organizational benefit in that users of the sealing apparatus are not burdened with the task of keeping track of several separate components in order to successfully operate the sealing apparatus 100.

FIGS. 9-20 illustrate bag sealing apparatuses in accordance with further embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The bag sealing apparatus 10 includes an elongated sealing portion 12 having a generally circular cross section, which may be solid or may be at least partially solid, so that the sealing portion 12 is generally tubular. The sealing apparatus 10 also includes a generally arcuate-shaped receiver portion 14 having a centrally-positioned engagement aperture 16 that extends along a length of the receiver portion 14. The aperture 16 of receiver portion 14 also has an opening 18 that extends between a pair of opposed opening ridges 19. The opening 18 generally maintains a constant width between the ridges 19 as the opening extends along the length of the receiver portion 14, the constant width generally being less than a diameter of the sealing portion 12. The receiver portion 14 also includes lugs 20 that extend outwardly from the opening 18 and generally upwardly from the ridges 19, and further extend along the length of the receiver portion 14 to manually assist a user in manipulating the respective portions of the apparatus 10, as will be described in greater detail below.

Still referring to FIG. 9, and also now to FIG. 10, the engagement aperture 16 of the receiver portion 14 generally has an inner diameter approximately dimensioned to receive the sealing portion 12 and is further circumferentially expandable so that the sealing portion 12 may be removably retained within the engagement aperture 16 when the sealing portion 12 is inserted into the aperture 16, as shown in FIG. 10. The sealing portion 12 and/or the receiver portion 14 may be comprised of any semi-rigid material that is elastically deformable. In one specific embodiment, the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 14 may be formed from a polymer material, such as a polyurethane. In other embodiments, other materials may also be used. For example, the sealing portion may be formed from a generally rigid material, such as a metal, while the receiver portion 14 is formed from a semi-rigid polymeric material. In still other particular embodiments, the sealing portion 12 and/or the receiver portion 14 may be formed by extruding a polymeric material through an extrusion die that is configured to form a desired cross-sectional shape.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of the bag sealing apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 that show alternative cross-sectional configurations for the apparatus 10. In FIG. 11A, the lugs 20 extend more outwardly from the receiver portion 14 than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 11B, the lugs 20 extend downwardly from the receiver portion 14, and also extend outwardly from the receiver portion 14 at a location that is spaced apart from the opening 18.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of the bag sealing apparatus 10 of FIGS. 9 and 10 that show alternative cross-sectional configurations for the apparatus 10. In FIG. 11A, the lugs 20 extend more outwardly from the receiver portion 14 than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 11B, the lugs 20 extend downwardly from the receiver portion 14, and also extend outwardly from the receiver portion 14 at a location that is spaced apart from the opening 18, such that indented gripping surfaces 21 are provided between the lugs 20 and the ridges 19 and between the lugs 20 and midpoint “M” of the receiver portion 14. An advantage of providing indented surfaces on both sides of lugs 20 is that it provides a gripping surface for both pressing the sealing portion against the receiver portion (i.e., applying the seal) and applying a force to the lugs 20 such that sealing portion may be move through the opening of the sealing portion (i.e., removing the seal). Gripping surfaces for both applying and removing the seal are especially advantageous for users of the sealing apparatus who do not possess the strength and/or fine motor skills required to perform these actions without the aid of a gripping surface. Dual gripping surfaces are additionally advantageous, for example, when the sealing apparatus is used in environments in which gripping and handling of the sealing apparatus is difficult, such as for example cold temperature environments, wet/moist environments, zero gravity environments, and the like.

Turning now to FIG. 12, a method for sealing a bag 22 with the bag sealing apparatus 10 of FIGS. 9 and 10 will now be described in detail. The bag 22 is generally a partially sealed envelope having an opening 24 to receive contents into the bag 22, as is well understood in the art. The sealing apparatus 10 is generally applied to the bag 22 proximate to the opening 24. The sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 14 are initially separated, as shown in FIG. 12, and mutually spaced apart and maintained generally approximately parallel to the opening 24. The opening 24 of the bag 22 may then be threaded between the mutually spaced apart sealing portion 12 and receiver portion 14. The sealing portion 12 may then be impressed against the opening 18 of the receiver portion 14. As the sealing portion 12 is continuously pressed against the receiver portion 14, the sealing portion 12 moves into the engagement aperture 16 with a portion of the bag 22 proximate to the opening 24 threaded between the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 14. When the sealing portion 12 is fully engaged with the receiver portion 14, the portion of the bag 22 that is proximate to the opening 24 is sealably interposed between the sealing portion 12 and the engagement aperture 16.

Still referring to FIG. 12, the bag sealing apparatus 10 may be removed from the bag 22 by grasping a portion of the sealing portion 12 that extends beyond an end of the receiver portion 14 and simultaneously applying a force to the lugs 20 to move the sealing portion 12 through the opening 18 of the receiver portion 14, so that the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 14 are again mutually spaced apart. The portion of the bag 22 proximate to the opening 24 may now be separated from the sealing portion 12 and/or the receiver portion 14 so that an interior portion of the bag 22 may be accessed.

The foregoing embodiment offers numerous advantages over the prior art. For example, since the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 14 are advantageously formed as single components having no moving parts, they may be relatively inexpensively produced. Further, since the disclosed sealing apparatus is not integrally formed with a bag, or other enclosure device, it may be used on a wide variety of bags, and also allows repeated use. Thus, the foregoing embodiment, in particular, avoids the shortcomings associated with the ZIP-LOC closure.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus 30 according to another embodiment of the invention. The bag sealing apparatus 30 includes a sealing portion 12 that engages a receiver portion 14. Many of the specific details of the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 14 have been described previously, and for reasons of brevity, will not be described further. The receiver portion 14 includes a handle 26 that extends at least partially along a longitudinal length of the receiver portion 14. The handle 26 may be integrally formed with the receiver portion 14, or it may be separately formed and subsequently fixedly attached to the receiver portion 14. In addition to the advantages described in connection with the foregoing embodiment, the handle 26 advantageously permits a bag (not shown in FIG. 13) to be hand-carried while the bag is retained by the sealing apparatus 30.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are isometric views of a bag sealing apparatus 40 according to still another embodiment of the invention. The bag sealing apparatus 40 includes a sealing portion 42 that engages a receiver portion 14. Many of the specific details of the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 42 have been described previously, and for reasons of brevity, will not be described further. The sealing portion 42 includes a bore 44 that extends along a length of the sealing portion 42. A lanyard 46 comprised of a flexible material is threaded through the bore 44 and coupled to itself to form an endless loop of the flexible material that may be used as a hanger or a handle so that the a bag (not shown) may be hand-carried, or retained on a supporting hook (not shown) when a bag is retained by the sealing apparatus. The lanyard 46 may be optionally connected to the receiver portion 14 so that the sealing portion 42 may be coupled to the receiver portion 14. Coupling the receiver portion 14 and the sealing portion 42 thus advantageously avoids misplacing the receiver portion 14 relative to the sealing portion 42.

FIG. 16 is an exploded, isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus 50 according to still yet another embodiment of the invention. The bag sealing apparatus 50 again includes a sealing portion 12 that engages a receiver portion 52. Many of the specific details of the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 52 have been described previously, and for reasons of brevity, will not be described further. The receiver portion 52 includes a centrally-positioned engagement aperture 54 that extends along a length of the receiver portion 52. The aperture 54 of the receiver portion 52 is further positioned within a supporting cover 56 that is coupled to the engagement aperture 54. The apparatus 50 may be formed by an extrusion process, as previously described, or it may be advantageously formed from an appropriately-sized flat pattern of a material that is formed into the shape as shown in FIG. 16, and having respective ends of the flat pattern joined at a seam 58 by adhesive bonding, or a thermal fusion process.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are isometric views of a bag sealing apparatus 60 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The bag sealing apparatus 60 includes more than one sealing portion 12 that engages a receiver portion 62. Many of the specific details of the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 62 have been described previously, and for reasons of brevity, will not be described further. The receiver portion 62 is comprised of a pair of adjacent engagement apertures 64 configured to receive respective sealing portions 12. The apparatus 60 advantageously permits more than a single bag to be retained by the apparatus 60. Although the foregoing embodiment includes a pair of sealing portions 12 and corresponding engagement apertures 64, it is understood that more than a pair of sealing portions 12 and engagement apertures 64 may be used.

FIG. 19 is a side-elevation view of a bag sealing apparatus 70 according to yet a further embodiment of the invention. The bag sealing apparatus 70 again includes a sealing portion 12 that engages a receiver portion 14, as shown in FIG. 9. The apparatus 70 further includes a flexible member 72 that couples the sealing portion 12 to the receiver portion 14. The flexible member 72 advantageously permits the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 14 to be formed as a unitary assembly. The flexible member may thus be formed as a separate component that is joined to the sealing portion 12 and the receiver portion 14 by an adhesive bonding process, or by thermal fusion process.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a bag sealing apparatus 40 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The bag sealing apparatus 40 includes a sealing portion 42 that engages a receiver portion 14. Many of the specific details of the sealing portion 42 and the receiver portion 42 have been described previously, and for reasons of brevity, will not be described further. The sealing portion 42 includes a bore 44 that extends along the length of sealing portion 42. A lanyard 46 comprised of a flexible material is threaded through the bore 44. The receiver portion 14 includes holes at near each end of the receiver portion 42 which the lanyard 46 is threaded through. The lanyard 46 passing through bore 44 of sealing portion 42 and through holes in receiver portion 14 is coupled to itself to form an endless loop of flexible material that may be used as a hanger or a handle so that the bag (not shown) may be hand-carried, or retained on a supporting hook (not shown) when a bag is retained by the sealing apparatus. The lanyard couples the receiver portion 14 and the sealing portion thus advantageously avoiding misplacing the receiver portion 14 relative to the sealing portion 42.

From the above description and drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the particular embodiments shown and described are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. References to details of particular embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sealing apparatus comprising:

an elongated sealing portion extending from a first proximal connected end to a distal end;

an elongated receiver portion extending from a second proximal connected end to a distal opened end, wherein the receiver portion has a gap extending along a length of the receiver portion, at least one engagement aperture for accommodating the sealing portion therein, and one or more lugs extending generally outwardly therefrom; and

a flexible member;

wherein the flexible member joins the sealing portion and the receiver portion at their respective proximal connected ends; and

wherein the flexible member is operable to allow the sealing portion and the receiver portion to be pivoted relative to one another between a sealed position and a released position.

2. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more lugs begin to extend from the receiver portion at a position spaced distally apart from the proximal connected end and wherein the distance the lugs extend outwardly from the receiver portion increases in the distal direction.

3. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gap is provided on a side of the receiver portion positioned adjacent to the sealing portion.

4. The sealing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more lugs extend generally outwardly and downwardly from a location that is spaced apart from the gap such that indented gripping surfaces are provided on both sides of the one or more lugs.

5. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is integrally formed with the sealing portion and the receiver portion.

6. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is configured as a substantially o-shaped member.

7. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the sealed position, substantially the entire sealing portion is accommodated in the engagement aperture of the receiver portion.

8. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gripping member, wherein the gripping member is positioned distally adjacent to the distal end of the sealing portion and is integrally formed therewith.

9. The sealing apparatus of claim 8, wherein a top exterior surface of the gripping member is shaped generally complementary to a top exterior surface of the receiver portion such that in the sealed position, a top exterior surface of the sealing apparatus is a substantially continuous surface.

10. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more stiffening ribs, wherein the stiffening ribs extend distally from a portion of the flexible member along at least a portion of the sealing portion.