TOOL FOR SEALING A RESEALABLE ZIPPER LOCK BAG

Abstract

A tool for sealing a zipper lock bag comprises a first arm having first and second ends, the first arm defining a first longitudinal axis, a second arm having first and second ends, the second arm defining a second longitudinal axis. The second end of the second arm is connected to the second end of the first arm to define tongs. First and second rollers are rotationally mounted to the first arm near the first end about first and second axes of rotation that are substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. A third roller is rotationally mounted to the second arm near the first end about a third axis of rotation substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis. The third roller is between the first roller and the second roller to engage both the first and second rollers when the first and second arms are squeezed together.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to zipper lock bags and more particularly to tools for sealing zipper lock bags.

BACKGROUND

Zipper lock bags, such as the Ziploc® resealable bags, are commonly used to store food and other objects. The concept of a resealable plastic zipper bag is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,637,085 (Madsen), U.S. Pat. No. 2,558,367 (Madsen), U.S. Pat. No. 2,613,421 (Madsen) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,472 (Uramoto), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Sealing a zipper lock bag using a finger and thumb in some instances may be problematic. In some cases, an imperfect seal may result when using a finger and thumb. Unwashed hands may also be a source of contamination for the food being stored in the bag. Manually sealing a zipper lock bag is also very difficult, if not impossible, when wearing gloves made of latex or rubber-like material.

United States Patent Application Publication 2012/0186195 (Moeller et al.), which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a set of pliers that act as a zipper closing tool. This tool uses twin pairs of aligned rollers which engage the zipper using a pivoting mechanism. Zipper-engaging rollers have cylindrical portions of differing diameters to guide the zipper (or double zipper) of the bag. The size, weight, complexity and cost of this tool may discourage some consumers from considering this tool for everyday use in the kitchen. Accordingly, an improved tool that is smaller, lighter, simpler and less expensive would be highly desirable.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a novel tool for sealing zipper lock bags. The tool has three rollers that engage, compress and seal the zipper lock.

An inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a tool for sealing a zipper lock bag, the tool comprising a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first arm defining a first longitudinal axis, a second arm also having a first end and a second end, the second arm defining a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the second end of the second arm is connected to the second end of the first arm to thereby define a pair of tongs, a first roller and a second roller rotationally mounted to the first arm near the first end about first and second axes of rotation that are substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, a third roller rotationally mounted to the second arm near the first end about a third axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis, and wherein the third roller is disposed between the first roller and the second roller to thereby simultaneously engage both the first and second rollers when the first arm and second arm are squeezed toward each other.

This summary is provided to highlight certain significant inventive aspects but is not intended to be an exhaustive or limiting definition of all inventive aspects of the disclosure. Other inventive aspects may be disclosed in the detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present technology will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tool for sealing a zipper lock bag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a tool for sealing a zipper lock bag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a tool for sealing a zipper lock bag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is the side view of FIG. 1 showing the vertical gap between the first and second rollers;

FIG. 5 is the front view of FIG. 2 showing the horizontal gap between the first and second rollers and the third roller;

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of a tool having rounded arms;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a tool having hubs integrated into the arms;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a tool in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is another isometric view of the tool of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the tool of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the tool of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a left side view of the tool of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the tool of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the tool of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the tool of FIG. 9.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 depict a tool for sealing a zipper lock bag. The tool, which is generally designated by reference numeral 10, includes a first arm 12 having a first end 12A and a second end 12B, the first arm 12 defining a first longitudinal axis L1. The tool also includes a second arm 14 also having a first end 14A and a second end 14B, the second arm 14 defining a second longitudinal axis L2. The second end 14B of the second arm 14 is connected to the second end 12B of the first arm 12 to thereby define a pair of tongs. The first arm 12 and the second arm 14 may be connected by a hinge, pin, bushing, bearing or other mechanism. Alternatively, the first arm 12 and the second arm 14 may be integrally formed such that a bend 16 joins or connects the first and second arms 12, 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. A first roller 18 and a second roller 20 rotationally mounted to the first arm 12 near the first end 12A about first and second axes of rotation R1, R2 that are substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis L1, a third roller 22 rotationally mounted to the second arm 14 near the first end 14A about a third axis of rotation R3 that is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis L2 and wherein the third roller 22 is disposed between the first roller 18 and the second roller 20 to thereby simultaneously engage both the first and second rollers 18, 20 when the first arm 12 and the second arm 14 are squeezed toward each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first roller 18 is rotationally supported by two pins 19. Likewise, the second roller 20 is similarly rotationally supported by pins. The third roller 22 is also rotationally supported by pins 21. The third roller 22 rotates in an opposite direction to the first and second rollers 18, 20 when engaged.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first, second and third rollers 18, 20, 22 have identical radii r=D/2 where D is the diameter of each roller. In other embodiments, the radii of one or more of the rollers 18, 20, 22 may be different.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a horizontal distance or horizontal gap G1 between the first axis of rotation R1 of the first roller 18 and the second axis of rotation R2 of the second roller 20 is less than three times the radius of each of the first and second rollers 18, 20. In another embodiment, the horizontal distance or horizontal gap G1 between the first axis of rotation R1 of the first roller 18 and the second axis of rotation R2 of the second roller 20 is less than two times the diameter of each of the first and second rollers 18, 20. The gap G1 may be varied in other embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the vertical distance or vertical gap G2 between the first and second rollers on the one hand and the third roller on the other hand is less than the diameter D of each one of the rollers. The vertical gap may be varied in other embodiments.

In one embodiment, the tool 10 may further comprise a magnet embedded within one of the first and second arms 12, 14. The magnet may enable the tool 10 to be attached to a fridge or other magnetic surface for easy access. The rollers 18, 20, 22 should be placed close to the first end of each arm 12, 14 to avoid interfering with the bag contents.

FIG. 6 shows a rectangular profile for the arms. Another profile is depicted in FIG. 7 in which the end of the arms (tongs) is rounded or curved. The rounded ends minimizes the likelihood of the tool snagging on the zipper lock bag.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the rollers may also be supported by protruding hubs at each end of the rollers that are designed to fit into receiving slots formed in integrated mounts 26 that are integrated into, or otherwise attached to, each arm of the tool.

FIGS. 9-16 depict another embodiment of the tool 10. As shown in FIGS. 9-16, the tool 10 is constructed with the first arm 12 having a first end 12A and an angled second end 12B. The first end 12A is angled relative to the second end 12B as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. The second arm 14 also has a first end 14A and an angled second end 14B. The first end 14A is angled relative to the second end 14B by the same angle as the first end 12A of the first arm 12. The second end 14B of the second arm 14 is connected to the second end 12B of the first arm 12 by a U-shaped (or C-shaped) portion to thereby define a pair of tongs.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9-16, the first roller and the second roller are rotationally mounted to the first arm near the first end about first and second axes of rotation that are angled relative to the first longitudinal axis. The third roller is rotationally mounted to the second arm near the first end about the third axis of rotation that is also angled relative to the second longitudinal axis. As in the first embodiment, the third roller is disposed between the first roller and the second roller in the second embodiment to thereby simultaneously engage both the first and second rollers when the first arm and second arm are squeezed toward each other.

In the second embodiment shown by way of example in FIG. 11, the tool 10 has a magnet 30 to magnetically attach the tool to a metal surface such as to a refrigerator.

In the second embodiment shown by way of example in FIGS. 11 and 13, the tool 10 has a plurality of grips 40 to make the tool easier to hold and operate. In one mode of operation, the user may hold the tool by placing a thumb and forefinger on the grips of each arm.

In the second embodiment shown by way of example in FIGS. 11 and 13, the tool 10 has a marker 50 on each arm to facilitate alignment of the rollers with the zipper lock. In addition, there may be arrows or chevrons 52 indicating the marker as shown in the exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the marker and chevrons indicate the approximate midpoint of the rollers.

The ergonomic design of the tool 10 enables both right-handed and left-handed operation. The tool facilitates the sealing of a zipper lock bag without risking contamination of the contents due to unclean fingers. The tool also facilitates the sealing of a zipper lock bag when the user is wearing latex or rubberized gloves.

The tool 10 can be made entirely out of injection-moulded plastic or a combination of spring steel and plastic. Any other suitable material or materials may be employed to make this tool 10.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” includes reference to one or more of such devices, i.e. that there is at least one device. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “entailing” and “containing”, or verb tense variants thereof, are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of examples or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) is intended merely to better illustrate or describe embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the inventive concept(s) disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A tool for sealing a zipper lock bag, the tool comprising: a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first arm defining a first longitudinal axis;a second arm also having a first end and a second end, the second arm defining a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the second end of the second arm is connected to the second end of the first arm to thereby define a pair of tongs;a first roller and a second roller rotationally mounted to the first arm near the first end about first and second axes of rotation that are substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis;a third roller rotationally mounted to the second arm near the first end about a third axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis; andwherein the third roller is disposed between the first roller and the second roller to thereby simultaneously engage both the first and second rollers when the first arm and second arm are squeezed toward each other.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third rollers have identical radii.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein a distance between the first axis of rotation of the first roller and the second axis of rotation of the second roller is less than three times the radius of each of the first and second rollers.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein a distance between the first axis of rotation of the first roller and the second axis of rotation of the second roller is less than two times the diameter of each of the first and second rollers.

5. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a magnet embedded within one of the first and second arms.

6. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a marker to indicate an approximate midpoint of the rollers.