US20180370687A1

US20180370687A1 - Device for holding storage bags

Info

Publication number: US20180370687A1
Application number: US16/015,755
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph J. Di Biase
Original assignee: Diverse Industries Of Canada Inc
Current assignee: Diverse Industries Of Canada Inc
Priority date: 2017-06-23
Filing date: 2018-06-22
Publication date: 2018-12-27

Abstract

Described herein are holding devices for bags. The holding device comprises a base and a reinforcing member connectable to the base. The base also has fingers that define slots disposed therebetween. In aspects, the slots receive the bag such that the bag is supported by the device. The reinforcing member prevents the base from bending and flexing in response to the weight of the bags held between the slots. In further aspects, the device comprises a surface mounting unit for attaching the device to a surface. The surface mounting unit is connectable to the base.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/524,099 filed Jun. 23, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to holding/storage devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices for holding storage bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of re-closeable or re-sealable bags or pouches for the storage of items from food to general household items including everything from fasteners, such as nuts, bolts, screws, nails and other hardware, to craft and sewing supplies, sporting equipment and children's toys, is known. Often, such bags include a closure device or mechanism in the form of mating male and female closure elements that are occluded over a width of the bag in order to close the bag. Many different types and shapes of items are often stored in such bags or pouches, causing them, when at least partially filled, to be irregularly and/or differently shaped. When such bags or pouches 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 or pouch. Further, when the bags or pouches are stacked on top of each other in an unconfined location, they tend to slide out of the stacked configuration and into a disorganized state.
Attempts have been made to address the foregoing problems through the use of rack systems that suspend one or more bags or pouches each from an open end thereof, thereby allowing the remainder of each bag or pouch to hang freely below the rack regardless of the contents therein.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,290 and 4,854,530 disclose a hanger system that hangs flexible plastic bags by an increased thickness of plastic near the tops of the bags. The bags' increased thickness results from ridges of slightly thicker plastic wall at the top of the bag, such as is common to rib and groove bag closures. Bags are supported downhanging from slots defined between adjacent rails, or fingers. The width of the slot is normally such as to maintain a downhanging bag securely closed, but may be widened over a short region. The seal of the bag may be opened at this widened region and material, particularly liquids and gases, may be inserted into or extracted from the cavity of the downhanging bag, particularly by use of a tube, or straw.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,949 discloses a clamping hanger for sealing and storing a food bag having an end suspended from a support surface lying in a generally horizontal plane. The clamping hanger comprises a generally rectangular base adapted to be mounted to the support surface and a one-piece clamping member attached to the base. The clamping member has a pair of identical, arcuate-shaped jaws converging together to form a mouth which enables the end of a food bag to be slidably received and retained therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,957 discloses an apparatus for holding and organizing small items, comprising storage bags having a bag portion and a closure portion. The apparatus further comprises at least one base member having a surface area with slots disposed therein. The slots are wider than the bag portion, but narrower than the closure portion of the bags. The slots receive the bag portions while the closure portions hold the bags within the slots.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040104316 discloses a suspension device for an item comprising a base member and a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is mounted for sliding movement relative to the base member and is adapted to clamp a pouch. A method of suspending such a pouch includes the steps of opening the clamping assembly, placing the pouch in the clamping assembly and simultaneously closing and sliding the clamping assembly into the housing such that the pouch is suspended from the clamping assembly.
At least one disadvantage and/or shortcoming of the rack systems disclosed in the prior art is that, due to their design and/or configuration, the amount, size and/or weight of the items that can be stored in the bags or pouches and supported by the systems is limited to fewer, smaller and/or lighter items. A need, therefore, exists for the development of a product and/or method that provides a useful alternative to the systems disclosed in the prior art described above and/or obviates or mitigates at least one of the disadvantages thereof, such as supporting bags or pouches containing more, larger and/or heavier items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a device for supporting bags or pouches for storing items that overcomes disadvantages and/or shortcomings of the prior art devices.
It is another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a device for supporting bags or pouches for storing items therein such that the items may be readily viewable.
It is another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a device for supporting bags or pouches for storing items therein such that the items may be easily organized.
It is another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a device for supporting bags or pouches for storing items therein such that they may be easily accessed and removed therefrom.
It is another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a device for supporting bags or pouches for storing items therein such that, when the bags or pouches are supported by the device, they may be filled with larger, heavier and/or more items than prior art devices.
It is another object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a device for supporting re-closeable or re-sealable bags or pouches, in one embodiment, re-closeable or re-sealable plastic bags or pouches, for storing items therein, wherein the device comprises a reinforced base such that, when storage bags are supported therefrom, they may be filled with larger, heavier and/or more items and the bags or pouches will be held securely by the device without the bending and/or flexing of the base of the device.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for supporting re-closeable or re-sealable, in one embodiment, plastic bags or pouches. The system includes a hanger rack assembly that supports re-closeable or re-sealable, plastic bags or pouches, suspended downhanging from an increased thickness of material at or near the top of the bag. In one embodiment, the increased thickness of material is due to the plastic that is used in molding a rib and groove type closure mechanism. In another embodiment, the increased thickness of material is due to a handle mechanism that is typically made of molded plastic.
In an embodiment of the rack assembly of the present invention, the additional thickness of the bag or pouch at its top region is supported on appropriately separated spaced parallel rails. The rails are positioned along each side of the bag or pouch and preferably extend along the entire length of the bag's top. The rack assembly's rails each define a side of a slot that is of suitable width for holding the bag. The rails are held rigidly in a proper spaced parallel spatial relationship to each other by bridging material at the rear of the assembly and by a reinforcement member located on the top of the assembly in a position where it does not interfere with support or removal of the bag.
The use of the system is as follows. A bag that has the required increased thickness at or near its top region is opened and contents are placed inside the bag. The bag is then closed, for example, along its rib and groove closure mechanism. The bag is then slid into the slot of the rack assembly so that the extra thickness of the bag is positioned above the rails of the hanger rack assembly. The bag is released allowing the bag and its contents to be suspended downhanging on the rails of the rack assembly. The inward pressure of the hanger rack assembly's rails on each side of the bag at the location of the bag's additional thickness tend to maintain the sides of the bag closely proximate, which thereby may maintain the seal of the bag reliably closed.
The rack assembly may be variously supported. It may be hung from brackets that grasp a solid planar shelf, such as a glass refrigerator shelf, at its edges. It may be hung from upwardly extending hooks, normally made of wire, that hook an apertured overhead support surface, such as a wire refrigerator shelf, through its apertures. It may be supported by a freestanding base, such as at the top of a base formed from a vertical column that is connected to splayed legs that rest upon a level planar surface. In another embodiment, the rack assembly itself may be made in a substantially vertical, as opposed to a horizontal, configuration. In this vertical configuration a vertically tiered array of rails support a correspondingly vertically tiered array of hanging bags.
In another embodiment of the rack assembly the downhanging bags may be retained within their slots by a pivoting arm that selectively closes the open end of the slots by bridging between adjacent rails. In this embodiment, the rails may be additionally positionally stabilized by the pivoting arm.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for hanging a reclosable bag having a substantially straight marginal seal that presents greater thickness than is presented by bag regions located away from the marginal seal, the device comprising: a flat supporting member formed with a plurality of elongated fingers (i) longitudinally extending from a rear portion thereof sufficiently far so as to span the length of the bag along its marginal seal and (ii) spaced parallel at a separation, one to the next, that is sufficient to permit the bag to be slid along lesser thickness regions of the bag located away from its marginal seal in directions in and out of a slot formed between adjacent elongated fingers, but that is insufficient to pass the greater thickness of the bag's marginal seal; wherein the plastic bag may be slid within a slot between adjacent elongated fingers and suspended downhanging by the greater thickness of its marginal seal resting upon the adjacent elongated fingers.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the flat supporting member is formed with a multiplicity of spaced parallel elongated fingers defining slots between adjacent fingers that are separated, one to the next, sufficiently far so as to permit bags that are filled with contents, and that are correspondingly widened in regions of the contents, to be suspended downhanging at adjacent slots such that each filled bag should be individually independently slidable within and without its slot without interference to adjacent downhanging bags.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises: a free-standing base member means, affixed to the supporting member, for sitting on a surface and for supporting the supporting member at a height above the surface sufficient to permit the bag to be suspended downhanging without contacting the surface.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the free-standing base member means comprises: a plurality of elongate legs resting level upon a planar surface in positions at least partially around a point where an imaginary line that is orthogonal to the surface and passing through the combined center of gravity of the hanger and a filled bag would intersect the plane of the surface; and a vertical column connecting the plurality of elongate legs and the rear portion of the supporting member.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises: a hanger means, affixed to the supporting member, for mounting to a surface that is above the flat supporting member and for supporting by hanging the supporting member substantially flat, and for thereby supporting the bag that the supporting member in turn supports.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hanger means comprises: one or more brackets made from substantially planar material, each having a first surface that mounts to the surface above the supporting member and a second surface that extends downwards.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more brackets are two in number and affix to opposite exterior ones of the plurality of elongated fingers.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the two brackets are adjustable in separation in the plane of the first surface that mounts to the surface above the flat supporting member.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the two brackets are adjustable in separation so as to span a one horizontal axis of a common planar flat refrigerator shelf.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hanger means comprises: one or more hook hangers made from slender rod material that mount to the surface above the flat supporting member by hooking features upon such surface.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more hook hangers are four in number, are suitably adapted to hook the lattice members of a common lattice grid flat refrigerator shelf, and affix to a substantially rectangular supporting member for hanging it substantially flat at its four corners.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substantially vertical or horizontal rack for hanging bags exhibiting a marginal region, substantially in the shape of a straight bend, of increased thickness, the rack comprising: a substantially vertically or horizontally tiered array of a plurality of bag hanger members, each member comprising two adjacent elongated fingers defining a slot sufficiently long so as to span the length of the bag along its marginal seal into which a lesser thickness region of a bag may be slid where the bag may thereafter be suspended downhanging at the slot by a resting of its increased thickness marginal region upon the adjacent elongated fingers.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the slots defined by the vertically or horizontally tiered array of the plurality of bag hanger members are substantially aligned in a vertical or horizontal plane.
In an embodiment of the present invention, one of the adjacent elongated fingers of each of the plurality of bag hanger members is affixed to a corresponding one or ones of elongated fingers within one or more adjacent ones of the plurality of bag hanger members within the vertical or horizontal array, the corresponding affixed ones of the elongated fingers providing a substantially rigid tiered structure to the rack.
The present invention advantageously provides an improved device for clamping and hanging re-closeable or re-sealable bags or pouches such as food or snack bags which clamps the bag and may also serve as a hanger for supporting the bag from a support surface. The improved device is relatively simple, affordable, is easily applied to, and removed from, the bag and has versatility in a number of applications.
These and other advantages are realized in one aspect of the present invention by a device for claiming and hanging a bag having an end adapted to be suspended from a support surface. The device comprises at least one clamping member adapted to be mounted to the support surface. The at least one clamping member has a pair of jaws converging together to form a mouth therebetween. The jaws have a length, a width and a depth, the length of the jaws being greater than the width or the depth. The mouth enables the end of a bag to be slidably received and retained therein.
In an embodiment, the present invention contemplates a device for clamping and hanging a bag having an end with a thickness along which the bag is suspended from a support surface lying in a generally horizontal or vertical plane. The device comprises a generally rectangular base adapted to be mounted to the support surface and at least one clamping member attached to the base. The clamping member has a pair of identical, arcuate-shaped, substantially rigid jaws converging together to form a mouth. The mouth includes an enlarged guideway which gradually tapers into a slit having a width which is smaller than the thickness of the end of the bag. The end of the bag is received in the enlarged guideway and is slidably drawn along the slit for frictional retention therein.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for clamping and hanging a re-closeable or re-sealable bag or pouch having an end with a thickness along which the bag or pouch is suspended from a support surface lying in a generally horizontal or vertical plane, said device comprising: a generally rectangular base adapted to be mounted to the support surface; and at least one clamping member attached to said base, said at least one clamping member having a pair of identical, arcuate-shaped, substantially rigid jaws converging together to form a mouth, said mouth having an enlarged guideway gradually tapering into a slit, said slit having a width smaller than the thickness of the end of the bag or pouch, such that the end of the bag or pouch is received in said enlarged guideway and slidably drawn along said slit for frictional retention therein.
In an embodiment of the present invention, said clamping member has end portions, each of which is provided with said enlarged guideway.
In accordance with an aspect, there is provided, a system for supporting a plurality of resealable or recloseable bags, each bag closing so that it is thickened upon closure along a closure line near a boundary of the bag, the system comprising: a rack assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending rails defining between adjacent ones of such rails a plurality of slots; and a bridging member connecting at least two rails of the plurality of rails, wherein by proximity to adjacent rails of the rack assembly, each bag's thickened closure line allows it to be suspended from a slot of the plurality of slots by this thickness resting on the adjacent rails.
In accordance with another aspect, there is provided an apparatus which supports resealable or recloseable bags vertically, wherein the bags are constructed and intentionally designed so as to become thickened along a closure line upon being closed along such closure line, the apparatus comprising: a rack having a plurality of horizontal rails defining slots for catching in a slot and supporting on adjacent rails a hanging bag along a closure line of the bag where it is thickened due to closure; and a bridging member connecting at least two rails of the plurality of rails, wherein the apparatus is configured such that each bag is supported by rack rails on each side of a slot by inward pressure of the supporting rails on each side of the bag's closure line forcing the sides of the bag together, and removable and replaceable from its supported position by sliding in and out of the hanger rack slot.
In an embodiment, the ends of the hanger rack's rails are flared to allow easier sliding insertion of the plastic bag into the slot.
In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a dual retention and dispensing system for a recloseable bag that closes along a closure line to produce a thickened region to the bag, the system comprising: a retention-rack member having at least two elongated longitudinally-extending spaced parallel rigid rails defining a slot therebetween which is open at one end, the retention-rack member capable of hanging vertically a recloseable bag in its slot by suspension from its rails and a bridging member connecting at least two rails of the at least two rails; wherein the recloseable bag is slid within the retention-rack member's slot to be thereafter retained hanging vertically by suspension of its thickened closure line region upon the retention-rack member's rails; and wherein the same recloseable bag may be withdrawn from the retention-rack member's slot.
In an aspect, there is provided a hanger for a recloseable bag having a substantially straight marginal seal that presents greater thickness than is presented by bag regions located away from the marginal seal, the hanger comprising: a supporting member formed with a plurality of elongated fingers (i) longitudinally extending from a rear portion thereof sufficiently far so as to span the length of the bag along its marginal seal and (ii) spaced parallel at a separation, one to the next, that is sufficient to permit the bag to be slid along lesser thickness regions of the bag located away from its marginal seal in directions in and out of a slot formed between adjacent elongated fingers, but that is insufficient to pass the greater thickness of the bag's marginal seal; and a bridging member connecting at least two of the plurality of fingers; wherein the plastic bag may be slid within a slot between adjacent elongated fingers and suspended downhanging by the greater thickness of its marginal seal resting upon the adjacent elongated fingers.
In an embodiment, the supporting member is formed with a multiplicity of spaced parallel elongated fingers defining slots between adjacent fingers that are separated, one to the next, sufficiently far so as to permit bags that are filled with contents, and that are correspondingly widened in regions of the contents, to be suspended downhanging at adjacent slots such that each filled bag should be individually independently slidable within and without its slot without interference to adjacent downhanging bags.
In an embodiment, the bag hanger further comprises: a hanger means, affixed to the supporting member, for mounting to a surface and for supporting by hanging the supporting member substantially horizontal, and for thereby supporting the bag that the supporting member in turn supports.
In an embodiment, the hanger means affixed to the supporting member is for mounting to a surface that is one or more of above, below, beside and behind the supporting member.
In an embodiment, the hanger means comprises one or more substantially planar brackets, each having at least a first surface that mounts to the surface above the supporting member and at least a second surface that extends downwards.
In an embodiment, the one or more brackets is one in number and affixes to the supporting member opposite the free ends of the plurality of elongated fingers.
In an aspect, there is provided a substantially horizontal hanger rack for bags exhibiting a marginal region, substantially in the shape of a straight bend, of increased thickness, the bag hanger rack comprising: a substantially horizontally tiered array of a plurality of bag hanger members, each member comprising two adjacent elongated fingers defining a slot sufficiently long so as to span the length of the bag along its marginal seal into which a lesser thickness region of a bag may be slid where the bag may thereafter be suspended downhanging at the slot by a resting of its increased thickness marginal region upon the adjacent elongated fingers; and a bridging member connecting the two adjacent elongated fingers.
In an embodiment, the slots defined by the horizontally tiered array of the plurality of bag hanger members are substantially aligned in a horizontal plane.
In an embodiment, a one of the adjacent elongated fingers of each of the plurality of bag hanger members is affixed to a corresponding one or ones of elongated fingers within one or more adjacent ones of the plurality of bag hanger members within the horizontal array, the corresponding affixed ones of the elongated fingers providing a substantially rigid tiered structure to the bag hanger rack.
In an aspect, there is provided a holding device for at least one bag, the device comprising: a base comprising at least two fingers in a substantially side by side relationship with each other and defining a slot therebetween for receiving the bag; and a reinforcing member attachable to the base and connecting at least two of the at least two fingers and spanning the slot therebetween, wherein the reinforcing member is capable of reinforcing the base such that the base has increased resistance to bending or flexing when at least a portion of the bag is positioned within the slot.
In an embodiment, the device further comprises a surface mounting unit for attaching the device to a surface, the surface mounting unit attachable to the base of the device and comprising a top panel, opposing side walls extending from opposing longitudinal edges of the top panel, and at least one wall extending from a position along a length of an under surface of the top panel.
In an embodiment, the base further comprises top and bottom opposing surfaces defining a perimeter of the base.
In an embodiment, the reinforcing member is connected to the top surface or the bottom surface of the base.
In an embodiment, the surface mounting unit is connected to the top surface or the bottom surface of the base.
In an embodiment, the at least two fingers have an edge portion at an end thereof, and wherein the edge portion marks a beginning of the slot formed between the at least two fingers.
In an embodiment, the slot has a width of about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm or about 10 mm.
In an embodiment, the edge portion has a narrower opening than the width of the slot formed between the at least two fingers.
In an embodiment, the width of the slot is narrower than a closure portion of the bag but wider than a bag portion of the bag.
In an embodiment, the surface mounting unit further comprises a back wall having at least one opening therethrough for attaching the device to the surface and complementary to at least one opening in the at least one wall of the surface mounting unit.
In an embodiment, the base and the top panel further comprise at least one opening which are complementary to each other.
In an embodiment, the reinforcing member is an elongate piece of material comprising a projecting member having an upper region comprising at least one recess and at least one ridge, and a base region attachable to the base.
In an embodiment, the elongate piece of material is substantially straight, staggered or straight with respect to its orientation about the base.
In an embodiment, the device further comprises an adhesive layer, attachable to the base or the surface mounting unit.
In an embodiment, the adhesive layer is attached to the top panel of the surface mounting unit or the side wall of the surface mounting unit.
In an embodiment, the adhesive layer is a double sided adhesive tape.
In an embodiment, the double sided adhesive tape is selected from Removable Foam Tape 4658F or 4492W.
In an embodiment, the adhesive layer is selected from silicone adhesives or epoxy adhesives.
In an embodiment, the bag comprises an information bearing portion.
In an embodiment, the information bearing portion has information in the form of manufacturer contact information, part description, catalog number, customer identifier, date of purchase, cost at purchase, quantity at purchase, quality, size, bar code identifier, the style number of the component part and/or a picture of the component part.
In an embodiment, the bag is selected from the group consisting of Ziploc® with Easy Zipper, Hefty OneZip®, Glad® Clicklock, and Presto® SureSeal.
In an embodiment, the surface is a vertical surface or a horizontal surface.
In an embodiment, the at least one bag is a plurality of bags.
In an embodiment, the at least two fingers are a plurality of fingers.
Further novel and inventive features of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description of the present invention and the specific examples presented, while indicating certain aspects of the present invention, are provided for illustration purposes only because various changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from the detailed description of the present invention and claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further understood from the following description with reference to the Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a holding device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a holding device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the holding device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows perspective view from the bottom of another embodiment of a holding device of the present invention, when in use.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a holding device in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a holding device in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Certain Aspects

The present invention is embodied in a system comprising a rack assembly for hanging or supporting, in a horizontal or vertical position, flexible plastic bags that exhibit a region of increased thickness at or near the top of the bag.
The rack assembly has rigid rails, or fingers, defining each side of one or more slots. Each slot is wide enough to pass the normal thickness of two typically thin sides of the plastic bag. However, each slot is insufficiently wide to pass the greater thickness of the plastic bag at the region of increased thickness at or near the top of the bag. Thus, once a plastic bag is inserted into a slot by sliding along a bag region of normal thickness, the bag and its contents may thereafter hang suspended between the rails by support of the bag's region of increased thickness upon the rails.
Three or more rails can be arrayed one to the next to form a plurality of slots for holding a like plurality of bags. Alternatively, there may be only one pair of rails with one slot between them allowing the hanging of only one bag. The rails are normally joined and maintained in a spaced parallel spatial relationship by a rigid bridging between rails. The slot and the rails are typically long enough to permit the whole top of the bag to slide, lengthwise, into the slot with some overlap for security. At least one end of the rack assembly is open to receive the bag. The end(s) of the rails where the bag is received are typically flared or tapered, or in some other way enlarged, so as to aid in starting the slide of the walls of the bag into the slot.
The rack assembly normally has some means of mounting it to another surface. It is typically either removably mounted by action of a hook or loop on the rack assembly's upper surface that permits it to be hung loosely below a supporting bar, rack, or shelf of some kind. Alternatively, it may be hung more rigidly by action of a bracket that permits the hanger rack assembly to be firmly fastened under a shelf or to a wall with fasteners such as screws or bolts. When the rack assembly is mounted to another surface then a same end of all the slots is typically left open for insertion and removal of bags from a single direction.
Each rack assembly defines rigid rails, or fingers. These rails border and define a slot between them. This slot is of the proper width to permit two adjacent thicknesses of the wall material of a bag to pass into the slot. The rails are of sufficient length so as to allow the entire length of the top of the bag to be slid between them. The bag, in an embodiment, is made of plastic, but other materials such as metal foil are suitable.
The edges of the rails that are in contact with the walls of the bag, in an embodiment, are smooth so as to avoid cutting the bag, but are sharp enough to reliably grasp the extra thickness of the bag at its thickened region. This bulk of additional thickness rests on the rails along the whole length of the top of the bag. The top region of the bag is free to stick out on top of the rails. The content-holding portion of the bag hangs below the rails.
The bag may be removed and replaced from the rack assembly by sliding it out or into each slots between the rails. The rails are held in relation to each other by a bridge of material extending from one rail to another. This bridge can be over the top of the rack assembly or at the rear of the rack assembly. In the case of a top bridge then it must be sufficiently wide, high, and far enough away from the edges of the rails to permit the top region of the plastic bag, and the bag attachment mechanism, to fit under the bridge. Alternately, there may be several slots with rails on each side that are joined together by a common rear bridge. This type of rack assembly serves for multiple bag storage.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the rack assembly could be made in a circular configuration, and could rotate to bring supported bags to a forward position. In another embodiment of the present invention, a single slot could support a plurality of bags.
In embodiments of the present invention, the device may be applied to various widths and types of bags.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the device suitably comprises a flange defining a generally rectangular base adapted to be mounted to a support surface such as a wall, a ceiling, a cabinet shelf or the like, lying in a generally horizontal or vertical plane. The periphery of the base 12 formed with a plurality of apertures through which complementary fasteners may be screw threaded or otherwise affixed to the support surface.
In an embodiment of the present invention, integrally molded to the base is at least one one-piece clamping member having a pair of identical, arcuate-shaped jaws, each of which has a length L greater than its depth D or width W. The jaws are substantially rigid and are, in an embodiment, fabricated as a unitary body of plastic by injection molding. In an embodiment, a styrene plastic is used, but other materials would be satisfactory. The jaws are provided with gripping members which are adapted to engage opposite faces of the end of the bag disposed therebetween. The jaws converge together to form a mouth on one end of the clamping member. The mouth has an enlarged guideway which gradually tapers into a slit having a width which is smaller than the thickness of the end of the bag.
In use of the device, a consumer inserts the end of a bag in the enlarged guideway, and thereafter the end of the bag is slidably drawn into, and along, the slit such that the reduced width of the slit will frictionally retain the end of the bag therein while being suspended from the support surface. It should be appreciated that the device can be used with both sealed and opened bags. The frictional force of the bag sandwiched between the gripping members on either side of the slit tends to seal the bag and affords a sufficient gripping action that the bag may be hung from the device, either singly or in a linear array of desired bags.
It should be appreciated that the device of the present invention can be utilized on all types of bags and that the length of the jaws can be varied to accommodate any size and type of bag. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is relatively simple and inexpensive, is lightweight and durable, and can be easily and conveniently used and manufactured.
Various embodiments of rack assemblies in accordance with the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the holding device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The holding device 10 comprises a base 11 and a reinforcing member 13. In aspects, the holding device 10 further comprises a surface mounting unit 12. Both the surface mounting unit 12 and the reinforcing member 13 are attachable to the base 11. The holding device 10 is to be used with a bag, such as a re-sealable bag, (best seen in FIG. 6). In aspects, the bag, when in use with the device 10, has one or more items contained therein (not shown).
The bags used with the device 10 as described herein are those that are typically known in the art and therefore are not considered limiting to the present invention as described herein. Accordingly, the bag comprises a bag portion defined by a bottom portion connected to side panels and an openable end or closure portion. The openable end has a pair of closure strips which include male and female rib members on opposing closure strips. As understood in the art, when the rib members are in mating engagement, the bag is substantially sealed along the axis of the rib members thereby sealing the contents of the bag.
Although cooperating male and female rib members are utilized to permit the repeatable opening and sealing of bag, it is contemplated that other suitable mechanisms could be utilized, such as, for exemplary purposes only, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, cooperating male and female rib members having a zipper pull, resealable adhesives, resealable double-sided tape, snap-buttons, tension bands, elastic mechanisms, prong-and-grommet mechanisms, and/or closure flaps having any of the afore-referenced mechanisms. The method of opening and closing the bag is not limiting to the present invention nor does it affect the function of the device 10 as described herein, and therefore, may be of any desired form.
The base 11 comprises a plurality of spaced apart fingers 18, which project along a width of the base 11. The space between the spaced apart fingers 18 defines a slot 20. The fingers 18 terminate in an edge portion 24. In aspects, the edge portion 24 is a triangular edge (FIGS. 1 to 7). In other aspects, the edge portion 24 is a blunt (e.g., straight) edge or is a rounded edge (FIG. 8). The edge portion 24 marks the position where the bag may be slid into the corresponding slot 20 such that the pair of closure strips of the bag are situated above the slot 20 and are brought into contact with, and supported by, the fingers 18.
The base 11 further comprises opposing top 15 and bottom 16 surfaces. In aspects, the top surface 15 and bottom surface 16 of the base 11 define a perimeter of the base 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The surface mounting unit 12 may be attached to the top surface 15 or bottom surface 16 of the base 11. The reinforcing member 13 is connected to the top surface 15 of the base 11.
Persons skilled in the art would understand that the base 11 could have a variety of different dimensions, configurations and shapes and as such, the dimensions, configuration, thickness and shape of the base 11 is not limiting to the present invention nor does it affect the function of the device 10 as described herein, and therefore, may be of any desired dimension, configuration and/or shape. In an aspect, the base 11 is substantially rectangular having dimensions of about 8.25 inches long and about 7.25 inches wide. In an aspect, the thickness of the base 11 or fingers 18 is about 0.3 inches.
The base 11 may comprise a single slot 20, or the base 11 may comprise any number of slots 20 as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. As would be understood by persons skilled in the art, the maximum number of slots 20 that could be incorporated into the base 11 is ultimately dependent on the size of the base 11 and therefore may be as few or as many that may be needed to meet the requirements of the device 10. It would understood that the more slots 20 that are provided in the base 11, the more bags that can be supported by the device 10. For example, in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 to 7, the base 11 comprises 13 slots. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the base 11 comprises 15 slots.
In aspects, the slots 20 have a length defined by a portion of a width of the base 11. In aspects, the slots 20 have a length that is substantially as long as the bag to be used with the device 10. In aspects, the length of the slot 20 is longer than the bag, such as, for example, for larger bags. In aspects, the length of the slot 20 is shorter than the closure strips of the closure portion, such that an edge of the closure strip folds within the slot 20 as the bag is being inserted therein. In this way, the bag may be held more securely within the slot 20.
In aspects, the slots 20 are evenly spaced across the width of the base 11. In aspects, the slots 20 are spaced unevenly across the width of the base 11. Typically, adjacent slots 20 are parallel to one another.
In aspects, adjacent slots 20 are separated from one another by about 5 mm, about 10 mm, about 15 mm, about 20 mm, about 30 mm, about 35 mm, about 40 mm, about 45 mm, about 50 mm, about 55 mm, or about 60 mm.
In aspects, the width of the slot 20, as in the distance between adjacent fingers 18, is about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm or about 10 mm. In one aspect, the width of each slot is about 0.030 inches or about 0.762 mm. In another aspect, the width of each slot is about 0.015 inches or about 0.381 mm. For example, the width of all of the slots 20 may be about 3 mm. For example, the width of one slot 20 is about 3 mm and the width of another slot is about 5 mm. This may be with respect to an adjacent slot 20, or any other slot 20. In aspects, the width of the slots 20 is uniform among the slots 20 within the base 11. In aspects, the width of the slots 20 varies among the slots 20 within the base 11. Variations in the width of the slots 20 are considered within the scope of the present invention as herein described.
In aspects, the width of slot 20 is narrower than the closure portion of the bag but wider than the bag portion of the bag. In this way, a user slides the bag portion of the bag into the slot 20, having the closure portion above the fingers 18 of the base 11, and the bag is frictionally retained therein. Because at least a portion of the slot 20 is narrower than the thickness of the closure strips, at least a portion of the closure strips is supported by the surfaces defining the slot 20.
In aspects, the width of the slot 20 beginning at the edge portion 24 of the fingers 18 is smaller than the width of the slot 20 between adjacent fingers 18. In aspects, the width of the slot 20 beginning at the edge portion 24 of the fingers 18 is the same size as the width of the slot 20 between adjacent fingers 18.
When the slot 20 at the edge portion 24 is smaller than the slot 20 formed between the fingers 18 of the base 11, the edge portion 24 is designed to receive the bag portion of the bag and the wider portion of the slot 20 formed between the fingers 18 of the base 11 is designed to receive the closure portion of the bag. When the bag is inserted into the slot 20, the closure portion of the bag will not pass through the narrower slot 20 of the edge portion 24, thus removably securing the bag within the slot 20.
It would be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the length of the slots 20 across the width of the base 11, the width of the slot 20, and the spacing of the slots 20 relative to each other, is not limiting to the present invention, nor does it interfere with the functionality of the device 10, and thus may be of any desired length, width and/or spacing.
The surface mounting unit 12 comprises a top panel 30, opposing side walls 32 extending from opposing longitudinal edges of the top panel 30, and at least one wall 34 extending from a position along a length of an under surface of the top panel 30. In aspects, the opposing side walls 32 and the at least one wall 34, extend downwardly from the opposing longitudinal edges and the under surface, respectively, of the top panel 30. The opposing side walls 32 and the at least one wall 34 are connectable to the top surface 15 of the base 11 by methods used in the art, such as, but not limited to, glue, tongue and groove connection, nailing or a combination of these methods and others. The method of connection is not limiting to the present invention, nor does it disrupt the functionality of the device 10, and thus, can be of any desired form.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the surface mounting unit 12 further comprises a back wall 35 extending downwardly from the top panel 30 toward the base 11 of the device 10.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7, the top panel 30, the side walls 32, the at least one wall 34, the back wall 35, and the base 11 may have openings formed therein. These openings are useful for connecting the surface mounting unit 12 or the base 11 to a surface desired by the user, as described further below.
In aspects, openings 38 in the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. In aspects, openings 36 in the side wall 32 of the surface mounting unit 12 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. In aspects, openings 40 in the at least one wall 34 of the surface mounting unit 12 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. In aspects, openings 22 in the base 11 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. In aspects, openings 41 in the back wall 35 of the top panel 30 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. As would be understood by persons skilled in the art, any of these openings, as desired by the user, can be used to attach the device 10 to a vertical or a horizontal surface, by fasteners of any suitable type.
In aspects, the openings 38 in the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 are disposed directly above the openings 22 of the base 11 to allow screws or similar fasteners (not shown) to pass between these openings 22, 38 and into the surface, such as, a shelf or wall (not shown). In aspects, the openings 36 in the side wall 32 are complementary to the openings 40 in the at least one wall 34. These openings 36, 40 can be used in the manner described above for the openings 22, 38. Thus, based on the required orientation of the device 10 desired by the user, or the surface that is available for attaching the device 10, the user can, for example, insert a fastener through the appropriate opening and into the surface to which the holding device 10 is to be attached. Advantageously, the device 10 is suitable when the availability of space for attaching the device 10 is limited.
One skilled in the art would understand that the device 10 may be mounted installed in number of different ways and orientations and that more than one device 10 can be lined up and installed next to one another to create a long storage system. Depending on the opening utilized, the device 10 may be secureably attached to the horizontal or vertical surface. For example, openings 22 in the base 11 and the openings 38 in the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 would be suitable for mounting the device 10 to the horizontal surface, such as, but not limited to, an underside of a shelf. For example, openings 36 in the side wall 30 of the surface mounting unit 12, the openings 40 of the at least one wall 34, or the openings 41 of the back wall 35 of the top panel 30 would be suitable for mounting the device 10 to the vertical wall. Other attachable surfaces include, but are not limited to a cabinet or closet shelf, a refrigerator shelf, a refrigerator wire rack or the like. The choice of the surface will depend on the requirements of the user and/or the availability of space to secure the device 10 safely to the surface.
The reinforcing member 13 comprises an elongate piece of material 44 extending in a perpendicular orientation to the fingers 18 of the base 11. The elongate piece of material 44 comprises a projecting member 50 that is connectable to the top surface 15 of the base 11. In aspects, the projecting member 50 is conical in shape having a narrower base region 52, connectable to the finger 18 of the device 10, and a wider upper region 54 which connects to an adjacent projecting member 50 via a ridge 48 in the elongate piece of material 44. In this way, the projecting member 50 takes on a substantially “V” shape (as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5). It is contemplated that the reinforcing member 13 of the present invention can take on any shape, such as, for example, a straight rectangular bar having straight projecting members 50 extending therefrom (FIG. 7). The shape of the elongate piece of material 44 is not limiting to the function of the device 10, and thus, can be of any desired form.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the elongate piece of material 44 may take on a repeating structure, such that there are recesses 46 and ridges 48 in the upper region 54 of the elongate piece of material 44. In aspects, the ridge 48 is situated above the slot 20 in the base 11. The advantage of the ridge 48 in this orientation is increased space provided for the bag when the user slides it through the slot 20 between the fingers 18. In this way, the bag may not be interrupted by the presence of the reinforcing member 13, during the sliding process and may be more conveniently removed from the device 10 after use.
In an aspect, the reinforcing member 13 has a height, as measured from the from the top surface 15 of the base 11 to the ridge 48 of the projecting member 50, of about 0.5 inches.
In aspects, the reinforcing member 13 extends across a portion of the base 11, such as, for example, across about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about 100% of the base 11. In aspects, the projecting member 50 of the reinforcing member 13 is connected to every finger 18 of the base 11. In aspects, the projecting member 50 of the reinforcing member 13 is connected to alternating fingers 18 of the base 11. In aspects, the alternating fingers 18 can be, for example, every other finger 18 or every second finger 18 or every third finger 18 and so on. Variations in the number of projecting members 50 and therefore the number of fingers 18 that are subsequently contacted is considered within the scope of the present invention as described herein.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7, the reinforcing member 13 may be positioned close to the edge portion 24 of the fingers 18 of the base 11. The distance of the reinforcing member 13 from the edge portion 24 is not limiting to the device 10 as herein described. It is contemplated that the reinforcing member 13 can be positioned at any distance from the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 or any distance from the edge portion 24 of the base 11. Variations in the position of the reinforcing member 13 about the base 11, and relative to the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 and/or the edge portion 24 of the base 11, is considered within the scope of the present invention as described herein.
Furthermore, while FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 show the reinforcing member 13 as a straight elongate piece of material 44, it is contemplated that, in aspects, the elongate piece of material 44 is substantially straight or may even take on a staggered form, such as, where alternating (and adjacent) projecting members 50 are positioned in front or behind the next adjacent projecting member 50. Variations in the orientation of the projecting members 50 with respect to each other and/or the base 11, is considered within the scope of the present invention as described herein.
Moreover, while FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 show a single reinforcing member 13, it is contemplated that, in aspects, more than one reinforcing member 13 may be used or no reinforcing member may be used as shown in FIG. 8.
The reinforcing member 13 may be attached to the base 11 by any number of methods including, but not limited to, glue, a tongue and groove connection, nailing, screwing or a combination of these methods and others. The method of connection is not limiting to the present invention, nor does it disrupt the functionality of the device 10, and thus, can be of any desired form.
The reinforcing member 13 is particularly advantageous to the device 10 described herein, in that, it functions to prevent bending and/or flexing of the fingers 18 of the base 11 when the bag, or plurality of bags are supported by the device 10. In this way, the user is not limited to the number of items that can be put in the bag and subsequently supported by the device 10. Therefore, not only may the user include an increased amount of items per bag, per slot 20, but the user can also choose to place larger and/or heavier items per bag, per slot 20. This effectively increases organization of items and storage capacity of the device 10. One skilled in the art would understand that the limitation of the items placed and stored by the bag is dependent on the construction of the bag itself, a factor that is not a component of the present invention.
While the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 include a reinforcing member 13, it would be understood by persons skilled in the art that a reinforcing member 13 may not be required, as shown in FIG. 8.
In operation, after the holding device 10 has been attached to the surface (not shown), the user inserts one end of the bag into one of the slots 20. The user may insert an open or closed bag into the slot 20 of the device 10. The user then grips the bag portion of the bag below the holding device 10 and pushes, pulls or otherwise moves the bag toward an end of the holding device 10 opposite where the bag was inserted. In aspects, the user can perform the same actions by grasping the pair of closure strips. To remove the bag from the holding device 10, the user grasps the bag portion, or the closure portion of the bag, and moves the bag in the opposite direction to that of the insertion described above. FIG. 6, shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein bags are supported within the slots 20 of the fingers 18 of the base 11. While only 5 bags are shown to be supported by the device 10, the device 10 of this embodiment can safely support 13 bags due in part to the number of slots 20 illustrated but also because of the reinforcing member 13 which suitably reinforces the base 11.
In aspects, the holding device 10 further comprises a double-sided adhesive tape strip located on the surface mounting unit 12 or the bottom of the base 11. In aspects, the double-sided adhesive tape strip may be located on the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12.
In aspects, the double-sided adhesive tape strip may be located on the side wall 30 of the surface mounting unit 12. In aspects, the double-sided adhesive tape strip may be located on the back wall 35 of the surface mounting unit 12. The adhesive tape strip allows the holding device 10 to be adhered to a vertical wall, on top of a horizontal surface or under a horizontal surface, such as a shelf (not shown), without the requirement of fastener elements, such as nails or screws, as described herein. When double-sided adhesive tape strip is used as described herein, the openings described herein may or may not be present. Of course, it would understood that if the openings described herein were present in the device 10, the user could benefit from increased strength of attachment to the surface if both the adhesive tape and fasteners inserted through the openings and into the surface were used together.
Suitable adhesive tape strips are Removable Foam Tape 4658F or 4492W available from 3M Corporation. Alternatively, other types of adhesive such as silicone adhesives, epoxy adhesives, and the like, could be used to secure the holding device 10 to the surface in any orientation.
As understood in the art, the bag may further comprise an information bearing portion which serves to bear such critical component part identifying information as the user should like to have present on the surface of the bag. This information can be, but is not limited to, manufacturer contact information, part description, catalog number, customer identifier, date of purchase, cost at purchase, quantity at purchase, quality, size, bar code identifier, the style number of the component part and/or a picture of the component part, or the like. Color coded elements additionally may be provided for the user's convenience and benefit. Provision of this type of information would assist in further organization and identification of the parts found within the bag.
Examples of commercial bags that may be used with any of the embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to: Ziploc® with Easy Zipper, Hefty OneZip®, Glad® Clicklock, and/or Presto® SureSeal. Any of such bags may alternatively be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments described herein, provided that the various elements of the holding device 10 are dimensioned to cooperate with one or more of the bags as described herein.
One skilled in the art would understand that the bag is not limited to what the bag may hold. For example, the bag may hold (and therefore store), small items such as, but not limited to, nuts and bolts, buttons and other sewing equipment, fishing lures, etc.
As should be evident, one may use single or ganged multiple holding devices 10 that are secured to the vertical surface, the horizontal surface or a non-horizontal and non-vertical surface in any configuration and/or orientation desired by the user. In the use of the non-horizontal surface, multiple bags may be maintained in a desired arrangement including side-by-side, (i.e., a shingled arrangement) and cascading (i.e., an arrangement where the bags are disposed one above the other and either touching or not touching one another).
The holding devices 10 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, polystyrene, Delrin®, ABS copolymer, polyester, mylar™ polyurethane, PVC, polyethylene, and vinyl and a wide variety of other similar homopolymers and copolymer materials. The holding device 10 can also be made of metals such as stainless steel and aluminum and foam materials such as urethane foam, polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, styrofoam, and Volara™ foam. It is within the scope of the present invention as herein described that any part of the holding device 10 (e.g., the surface mounting unit 12, the base 11 etc.), may be made from the same or different materials described above.
Typically, the holding device 10 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 10, including injection molding, and thermoforming. Additionally, the holding devices 10 can be formed in multiple parts that are snapped, pressed or otherwise fastened together during manufacture and assembly. The variations in manufacture, assembly and material the device 10 is made from are not to be seen as limiting on the device 10 and in no way affect the function of the device 10, and thus, may take on any desired form.
The above-described embodiments allow the user to address a variety of storage problems. First, the holding devices 10 enable the user to store and organize re-closable bags to fully utilize available storage space. For example, in a workshop, refrigerator, closet, pantry or the like. The present invention allows the 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.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the reinforcing member 13 allows for the base 11 portion to support heavier items and/or a greater number of individual items in a single bag. Thus, the user can maximize the storage capacity of the bag and/or the device 10.
Another advantage of the present invention is that an individual bag may easily be removed from, and re-supported by, the fingers 18 with minimal effort, and further may be slid along the fingers 18 in order to space one bag apart from an adjacent bag. Thus, the device 10 of the present invention increases storage capacity and organization for the user.
It will be understood that certain of the above-described structures, functions, and operations of the above-described embodiments are not necessary to practice the present invention and are included in the description simply for completeness of an exemplary embodiment or embodiments. In addition, it will be understood that specific structures, functions, and operations set forth in the above-described referenced patents and publications can be practiced in conjunction with the present invention, but they are not essential to its practice. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described without actually departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A holding device for at least one bag, the device comprising:

a base comprising at least two fingers in a substantially side by side relationship with each other and defining a slot therebetween for receiving the bag wherein the at least two fingers are held in relation to each other by a bridge extending from one finger to another at the rear of the base; and

a reinforcing member attachable to the base and connecting at least two of the at least two fingers and spanning the slot therebetween, wherein the reinforcing member is capable of reinforcing the base such that the base has increased resistance to bending or flexing when at least a portion of the bag is positioned within the slot.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a surface mounting unit for attaching the device to a surface, the surface mounting unit attachable to the base of the device and comprising a top panel, opposing side walls extending from opposing longitudinal edges of the top panel, and at least one wall extending from a position along a length of an under surface of the top panel.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises top and bottom opposing surfaces defining a perimeter of the base.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the reinforcing member is connected to the top surface of the base.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the surface mounting unit is connected to the top surface or the bottom surface of the base.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two fingers have an edge portion at an end thereof, and wherein the edge portion marks a beginning of the slot formed between the at least two fingers.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the slot has a width of about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm or about 10 mm.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the edge portion has a narrower opening than the width of the slot formed between the at least two fingers.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the width of the slot is narrower than a closure portion of the bag but wider than a bag portion of the bag.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the surface mounting unit further comprises a back wall having at least one opening therethrough for attaching the device to the surface and complementary to at least one opening in the at least one wall of the surface mounting unit.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein the base and the top panel further comprise at least one opening which are complementary to each other.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is an elongate piece of material comprising a projecting member having an upper region comprising at least one recess and at least one ridge, and a base region attachable to the base.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the elongate piece of material is substantially straight, staggered or straight with respect to its orientation about the base.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an adhesive layer, attachable to the base or the surface mounting unit.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive layer is attached to the top panel of the surface mounting unit or the side wall of the surface mounting unit.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive layer is a double sided adhesive tape.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive layer is selected from silicone adhesives or epoxy adhesives.

18. The device of claim 2, wherein the surface is a vertical surface or a horizontal surface.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one bag is a plurality of bags.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two fingers are a plurality of fingers.