Bag closure

• US 8,316,493 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2009
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph H. Clearman
• Original Assignee: Joseph H. Clearman
• Inventors: Clearman, Joseph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shakeri, Hadi
• Application Number:
  US12/623,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20110119872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 715/8, 711/0, 790/0, 717/0, 302/80, 302/83, 302/94, 24/305.R, 24/305.S, 24/305.L
• US Class Current: 7/158
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 27/00 Hand cutting tools not provided for in the preceding groups, e.g. finger rings for cutting string, devices for cutting by means of wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/15 Bag fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/155 Resilient slot bag tie
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/158 Slides to lock bag end within housing

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for bag cutting and closure.

Claims

1. A bag closure device comprising:

a first architecture comprising;

an elongated support arm;

an elongated holding bar parallel to and coupled to said support arm at a coupling distal end;

an elongated pivot bar between, and parallel to, said support arm and said holding bar, and engaging a portion of said holding bar and being pivotally coupled with said support arm at a pivot portion of said pivot bar,

a cutter comprising a blade; and

,

wherein the engaged portions of said pivot bar and said holding bar define an elongated closure slot having a receiving entrance at a receiving distal end of said pivot bar and said holding bar;

wherein said receiving entrance is operable to receive a bag and hold said bag in said closure slot;

wherein said cutter is defined by a portion of said support arm and said pivot bar;

wherein said blade is positioned on said support arm;

wherein said pivot bar comprises a blade slot and a portion of said blade is positioned within said blade slot; and

,

wherein said cutter comprises a cutter slot defined by said cutter blade and a portion of said pivot bar, and said pivot bar is operable to pivot about said pivotal coupling to change the size of said cutter slot.

2. The closure device of claim 1, wherein said coupling distal end is flexible and wherein said closure slot receiving entrance is operable to be expanded when receiving a bag by flexing of said coupling distal end.

3. The closure device of claim 2, wherein said pivot bar comprises an engaging end operable to engage a portion of said coupling distal end, and wherein said closure slot expansion further comprises pivoting of said pivot bar about said engaging end and a holding bar pivotal coupling.

4. The closure device of claim 3, wherein said pivot bar comprises locking fins operable to pivotally couple said pivot bar to a retaining fin on said coupling distal end.

5. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the size of said cutter slot is operable to change when a substrate is received by said cutter slot.

6. The closure device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said pivot bar, said support arm and said holding bar comprises a flare.

7. The closure device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said pivot bar and holding bar comprises one of a grip extension portion and a manipulation extension.

8. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion of one of said pivot bar and said holding bar comprises a holding groove;

wherein the engaging portion of one of said pivot bar and said holding bar comprises a holding rim; and

wherein said holding rim is operable to reside within said holding groove.

9. The closure device of claim 8, wherein said holding groove and said holding rim define said closure slot.

10. The closure device of claim 8, wherein said holding groove is defined by a pair of parallel elongated groove bars, wherein a portion of the distal end of said groove bars is pointed.

11. The closure device of claim 1, wherein said holding bar and support arm coupling comprises a spring rib extending therefrom.

12. The closure device of claim 1, further comprising a magnet.