Sealing aid for resealable bags

Abstract

This invention provides a simple sealing aid for resealable bags that allows anyone to reliably and quickly seal resealable bags with minimal effort. [Solution] This auxiliary device seals the zipper portion 8 of a zippered bag 7 by gripping and sliding the zipper portion 8. The upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3 are connected so as to be able to open and close with a hinge portion 4 provided at one end as a pivot point. The inner surfaces of the other ends of the upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3 are provided with clamping portions 5 for gripping the zipper portion 8 from above and below. The clamping portions 5 may have a wavy, uneven shape that conforms to the rail shape of the zipper portion 8 and makes close contact, and an anti-slip portion 6 may be provided on the outer surface of the upper arm 2. This allows for a secure seal with less force compared to pinching with fingers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary tool for securely sealing the opening of a bag with a chuck (zipper bag) used for storing food and the like with a light force.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, bags with chucks made of synthetic resin films such as polyethylene have been widely used for storing food and small items. When sealing these bags, the user pinches the chuck part with the thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and moves from one end of the bag to the other end so as to fit the concave rail and the convex rail together.

[0003] However, it requires a certain gripping force to completely fit the chuck part over the entire length in the longitudinal direction only with the force of the fingers, which can be a burden especially for the elderly and children.

[0004] In addition, due to slippage of the fingertips or uneven pressure applied, there is a problem that an un-fitted part occurs in some parts, impairing the sealing property and causing liquid leakage, drying, or oxidation of the contents.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] There are tools for assisting in opening plastic bags as in the device described in Patent Document 1 and the invention described in Patent Document 2. However, as described above, there is no auxiliary tool that can surely fit the chuck part over the entire length in the longitudinal direction without relying only on the force of the fingers.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a simple sealing aid for zipper bags that allows anyone to reliably and quickly seal zipper bags with minimal force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the sealing auxiliary device for zippered bags of the present invention is an auxiliary device that seals the zipper portion of a zippered bag by gripping and sliding the zipper portion, wherein the upper arm and the lower arm are connected so as to be able to open and close with a hinge portion provided at one end as a pivot point, and the inner surfaces of the other ends of the upper arm and the lower arm are provided with gripping portions for gripping the zipper portion from above and below.

[0009] The sealing aid of this invention has a tong-like or clip-like form. The user inserts the end of a zippered bag between the upper and lower arms, and while pressing the arms together with their fingers to grip the zipper from above and below, slides the bag horizontally toward the opposite end. The uneven (wavy) gripping parts on the inner surface securely grip the rails of the zipper, and as the sliding motion occurs, the zipper is sequentially fitted from one end to the other.

[0010] Furthermore, the clamping portion may be formed with a wavy, uneven shape to conform closely to the rail shape of the chuck portion, and an anti-slip portion may be formed on the outer surface of the upper arm (the surface that the user's fingers come into contact with) to improve operability when sliding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, compared to pinching with the fingertips, the arm can be operated by pressing down with the entire palm or the pads of the fingers, allowing the chuck to be engaged with very little force. Furthermore, because the uneven surface of the gripping part applies even pressure to the chuck from above and below, it is less likely to be left open or gaps will occur, ensuring a secure seal. In addition, the anti-slip part provided on the upper arm prevents fingers from slipping during sliding, enabling smooth operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view showing the use of the sealing aid for zippered bags according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the clamping portion of the sealing aid for zippered bags according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the sealing aid for zippered bags according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the sealing aid for zippered bags according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the sealing aid for zippered bags according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are illustrative examples for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments only. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in each drawing whenever possible, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0014] Details of the sealing aid 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is an overall perspective view showing the sealing aid 1 in use, Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the clamping portion of the sealing aid 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the sealing aid 1, Figure 4 is a side view of the sealing aid 1, and Figure 5 is a front view of the sealing aid 1.

[0015] As shown in the figure, the sealing aid 1 has an upper arm 2 and a lower arm 3 which are connected so as to be openable and closable with a hinge portion 4 provided at one end as a fulcrum. On the inner surfaces of the other ends of the upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3, there are provided clamping portions 5 for clamping the chuck portion 8 of the bag 7 with a chuck from above and below.

[0016] The sealing aid 1 can be formed of, for example, synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacetal, or metal. In particular, if the upper arm 2, the lower arm 3, and the hinge portion 4 described later are integrally formed of synthetic resin, it can be manufactured at low cost and with low weight, and can withstand repeated use. Also, a part or all of the surface of the clamping portion 5 may be formed of an elastic material such as silicone rubber or elastomer, or may be coated with the elastic material. Thereby, the adhesion to the chuck portion 8 is enhanced, and it can be more surely fitted.

[0017] The structure of the hinge portion 4 is not particularly limited as long as it can connect the upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3 so as to be openable and closable. For example, the upper arm 2, the lower arm 3, and the hinge portion 4 may be integrally formed of synthetic resin, and the hinge portion 4 may be configured as a thin-walled bendable integral hinge with a thin wall thickness. Also, elastic biasing means such as a spring for biasing the upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3 in the opening or closing direction may be provided in the hinge portion 4. When biasing in the closing direction, since the clamping portion 5 maintains the state of clamping the chuck portion 8 even when the user relaxes the force of gripping the arm, operation with a lighter force becomes possible.

[0018] The upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3 preferably have a shape gently curved from the hinge portion 4 toward the clamping portion 5 so that the user can easily grip them with a finger or the palm of the hand. Also, from the viewpoint of ensuring a range for fitting by a single sliding operation, the length of the clamping portion 5 in the longitudinal direction is preferably set to be sufficiently larger than the height (width in the short side direction) of the chuck portion 8.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the clamping portions 5 of the upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3 may be formed with a wavy concavo-convex shape so as to follow and adhere to the rail shape of the chuck portion 8. That is, the upper clamping portion 5 and the lower clamping portion 5 face each other, and when the chuck portion 8 is sandwiched between them, the concavo-convexities engage with the concave rail and the convex rail of the chuck portion 8. As a result, when sliding, it becomes difficult for the chuck portion 8 to escape laterally from the clamping portion 5, and the concave rail and the convex rail are reliably pressed against each other from above and below, suppressing the occurrence of unfitted portions. Note that the pitch of the concavo-convexities may correspond to the pitch of the rails of the bag 7 with a chuck.

[0020] Further, on the outer surface of the upper arm 2, that is, the surface against which the user's finger abuts, an anti-slip portion 6 provided with a plurality of grooves or protrusions extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, for example, may be formed to improve the operability during sliding. The anti-slip portion 6 may be constituted by, instead of or in addition to the grooves or protrusions, knurling, or attachment or coating of a high-friction material such as rubber.

[0021] Next, a method of using the sealing aid 1 will be described. First, the user inserts the end portion where the chuck portion 8 of the bag 7 with a chuck is located between the upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the user places a finger on the outer surface of the upper arm 2 and closes the upper arm 2 and the lower arm 3 by pressing, and sandwiches the chuck portion 8 from above and below with the clamping portion 5. Then, while maintaining this state, the sealing aid 1 is horizontally slid in the direction of the arrow from one end of the chuck portion 8 to the other end. As a result, the chuck portion 8 of the portion where the clamping portion 5 has passed is sequentially fitted, and the bag 7 with a chuck is sealed.

[0022] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a plurality of types of sealing aids 1 having different lengths may be prepared and used appropriately according to the size of the bag 7 with a chuck. Further, a guide groove for guiding the chuck portion 8 may be provided in the upper arm 2 or the lower arm 3. Furthermore, the sealing aid 1 may be provided with a hole or a hook for hanging and storing it when not in use.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 1. Sealing aid (main unit) 2 Upper arm 3 Lower arm 4. Hinge section 5 Clamping part 6. Anti-slip part 7 Zippered bags 8. Zipper part

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for sealing a zippered bag by clamping and sliding the zipper portion of the zippered bag, characterized in that an upper arm and a lower arm are connected so as to be able to open and close with a hinge portion provided at one end as a pivot point, and the inner surfaces of the other ends of the upper arm and lower arm are provided with clamping portions for clamping the zipper portion from above and below.

2. The sealing aid for zippered bags according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping portions of the upper arm and lower arm are formed with a wavy, uneven shape so as to conform to the rail shape of the chuck portion and make close contact.

3. The sealing aid for zippered bags according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an anti-slip portion is formed on the outer surface of the upper arm to improve operability when sliding.

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