US20160031607A1

US20160031607A1 - Multi-bag closing device

Info

Publication number: US20160031607A1
Application number: US14/450,617
Authority: US
Inventors: Guy Mischel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-04
Filing date: 2014-08-04
Publication date: 2016-02-04

Abstract

A multi-bag closing device comprising a base, where the base is attached beneath a structure; a plurality of tubular bodies attached to the base, where the openings of the tubular bodies are perpendicular to the base, and where the tubular bodies are positioned proximal to each other; a slit within each of the plurality of tubular bodies, where the slit runs the entire length of the tubular body; and at least one bag within at least one tubular body, where the bag is folded along an open end to slide into the slit of the tubular body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device that closes and suspends a food bag to ensure freshness and maintain organization.
2. Description of Related Art
Many people often leave their chip bags lying open on their pantry and cupboard shelves. After the continuous exposure to moisture in the air, the chips may quickly lose their freshness and become stale. The same effect happens with bags of dried fruits, rice, pasta, candy and the like. The moisture gets into the open end and causes the food to stale. If the person does not return to the food within a short period of time they typically end up throwing it away and having to purchase a new fresh bag.
Many different methods to close and seal the bags have been developed to address the freshness problem. Some people simply fold the opening and place the bag on the shelf Others may use clips or tape to hold the fold close and maintain the freshness of the inner food. Finally, bag sealers are readily available at stores to reseal a chip bag. The sealers remove the extra air and seal the open portion of the bag, so that the next time the bag is opened it's like a fresh bag. A problem with these sealers is that they are expensive and take up extra space in the cabinet. Further it can be time consuming to reseal a bag with a bag sealer. Also, regardless of whether or not the bags are sealed, having many bags on a shelf creates a lot of clutter and mess. The bags at the back or bottom of the pile usually become stale, because they are hidden and then forgotten for use. This causes expensive waste by having to repurchase the food.
Therefore, it would be beneficial in the art to provide an inexpensive way to reclose a food bag. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a bag closure that helps to organize the bags while also sealing them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-bag closing device, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-bag closing device to suspend more than one food bag in an organized manner while also closing their opened end.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-bag closing device that attaches beneath a shelf The device includes multiple tubes with slits running along their length. Food bags are inserted into the slits to reclose the bag and arrange them in an organized manner in the pantry.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a multi-bag closing device is described comprising a base, where the base is attached beneath a structure; a plurality of tubular bodies attached to the base, where the openings of the tubular bodies are perpendicular to the base, and where the tubular bodies are positioned proximal to each other; a slit within each of the plurality of tubular bodies, where the slit runs the entire length of the tubular body; and at least one bag within at least one tubular body, where the bag is folded along an open end to slide into the slit of the tubular body.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front side view of a multi-bag closing device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a bottom view of a multi-bag closing device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a multi-bag closing device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a device that closes and suspends a food bag to ensure freshness and maintain organization. The present invention provides a multi-bag closing device as a way to uphold freshness of bagged foods. The multi-bag closing device includes a base with multiple tubes with a slit down the middle. The slit receives the folded top of a food bag to ensure the bag remains closed. The base is attached beneath a cabinet or shelf so that multiple bags may be suspended within the multi-bag closing device at once. With the multi-bag closing device food bags remain fresh for an extended period of time, while also keeping the pantry organized by suspending the bags above the shelves.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a front side view of a multi-bag closing device 100 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The multi-bag closing device 100 includes a base 102 that is fastened beneath a cabinet or shelf. The base 102 is attached with a set of fasteners 104. The fasteners 104 may be screws, adhesive tabs, hook and loop fasteners or the like. The fasteners 104 may be removable to enable repositioning of the base 102 as desired by the user.
Aligned along the base 102 is a plurality of tubular bodies 120. The tubular bodies 120 are arranged parallel to each other, so that their openings 122 are positioned one next to the other. The openings 122 of the tubular bodies 120 are perpendicular to the base 102. Although shown as tubular, in other exemplary embodiments, the bodies may be in square, rectangular or triangular in shape. At a bottom portion of the tubular body 120 is a slit 126. The slit 126 extends the entire length of the tubular body 120. In this particular embodiment, the tubular bodies 120 may be a PVC pipe with the slit 126 cut along the length, however other material, which maintains structural integrity may be used. On each slide of the slit 126 is a contacting edge 124. The each contacting edge 124 expands and retracts to receive a bag within the slit 126. Each contacting edge is smooth and resilient to secure each bag in each tubular body 120.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a bottom view of the multi-bag closing device 100 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The multi-bag closing device 100 includes fasteners 104 at each end and in the center to securely attach the base 102. FIG. 2 illustrates how the slit 126 extends the entire length of the tubular body 120. The tubular body 120 includes a guide 128 at the opening of the tubular body 120 to direct the bag into the slit 126. The guide 128 may be a V-shaped cutout with rounded edges so that the bag easily slides into the slit 126 when entering the tubular body 120.
Referring to FIG. 3 a perspective view of the multi-bag closing device 100 is shown. The bag 10 is illustrated while suspended from the tubular body 120. The top edge 12 of the bag 10 may be folded at least once, multiple folds may be implemented, and then inserted into the tubular body 120. The contacting edges 124 ensure that the bag 10 remain in place due to the structural memory associated with the contacting edges 124. Each tubular body 120 may receive a bag 10 to better organize and keep the bags 10 closed on the shelves. The tubular bodies 120 may be removable from the base 102, however preferable the tubular bodies 120 are permanently affixed to the base. In this particular embodiment, a single base 102 is shown, however multiple bases may be adjoined to increase storage capacity. Dimples may be provided on one side of the base 102 and recesses for the dimples may be placed on the opposite side of the base 102 so a cooperating base may adjoined to the single base 102 to increase storage capacity.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A multi-bag closing device comprising:

a. a base, where the base is attached a fixed structure along a first surface of the base;

b. a plurality of cylindrical tubular bodies attached to the base, where the tubular bodies arrange parallel over a second surface of the base; and

c. a slit within each of the plurality of cylindrical tubular bodies, where the slit runs the entire length of the tubular body and each slit is capable of receiving at least one bag, where the bag is folded along an open end to slide into the slit of the tubular body.

2. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 1, where the plurality of cylindrical tubular bodies are made from material that includes structural memory.

3. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 2, where the plurality of cylindrical tubular bodies are made from PVC pipe.

4. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 1, where the plurality of cylindrical tubular bodies are removable.

5. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 1, where the cylindrical tubular bodies include a contacting edge on each side of the slit, where the contacting edges secure the bag within the slit.

6. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 1, where the slit includes a guide to direct the bag into the slit.

7. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 5, where the guide is V-shaped.

8. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 1, where the base includes a plurality of fasteners for attachment.

9. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 8, where the plurality of fasteners are detachable.

10. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 8, where the plurality of fasteners are one of at least screws, adhesive tabs or hook and loop fasteners.

11. A multi-bag closing device comprising:

a. a base, where the base is attached beneath a structure;

b. a plurality of cylindrical bodies attached to the base, where openings of the cylindrical bodies are perpendicular to the base, and where the cylindrical bodies are positioned proximal to each other; and

c. a slit within each of the plurality of cylindrical bodies, where the slit runs the entire length of the each cylindrical body, where each slit is capable of receiving at least one bag, where the bag is folded along an open end to slide into the slit of the body.

12. (canceled)

13. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 10, where the plurality of cylindrical bodies are made from a material that includes structural memory.

14. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 1, where the plurality of cylindrical bodies are removable.

15. The multi-bag closing device according to claim 1, where the cylindrical bodies include a contacting edge on each side of the slit, where the contacting edge secures the bag within the slit.