Method and device for holding reclosable thermoplastic slider bags

A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels, a reclosable seal at one end thereof and a slider for opening and closing the reclosable seal, the holding device comprising:

• a support surface;
• and
• a pair of elongate holding members each having a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel and at least one of the holding members is disposed adjacent the support surface;
• the channel including first and second sections, the first section having dimensions for receiving at least a portion of the slider and being wider than the second section and the channel further including a slot defined by the distal portions of the holding members, the width of the slot being narrower than the width of the second section of the channel.

A holding device for a reclosable thermoplastic slider bag, wherein the slider bag includes a sealable end at which closure strips are disposed for sealing the sealable end, the slider bag further including a slider for closing the closure strips, the width of the slider being wider than the width of the closure strips, the holding device comprising:

• a support surface;
• a pair of elongate holding members substantially parallel to one another and integrally attached to the support surface, the holding members defining a channel with a length and two ends, the channel being open at each end with an open slot between the holding members running the length of the channel, the slot being narrower than the channel;
• and
• an interference member disposed adjacent the channel for stopping the slider of a thermoplastic slider bag while allowing the closure strips to pass therethrough.

A method of storing an item, the method comprising the steps of:

• placing the item in a storage bag wherein the storage bag includes a closure strip and a slider mounted for sliding movement on the closure strip;
• providing a holding member supported by a support surface wherein the holding member defines a channel, the channel having a width larger than a first thickness of the bag at a first portion thereof and wherein the channel includes a slot having a width that is smaller than the first thickness but larger than a second thickness of the bag at a second portion thereof;
• and
• sliding the first portion of the storage bag into the channel such that the slider contacts and is moved toward a closed position by the holding member and such that the first portion of the storage bag is in interfering relationship with the holding member.

A method of supporting a thermoplastic storage bag wherein the bag includes a closure strip, an end stop at an end of the closure strip, a slider disposed on the closure strip and a rail maintaining the slider on the closure strip, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween wherein at least one of the walls includes an interfering portion;
• inserting the bag into the channel such that the slider contacts a portion of the holder and is displaced from an initial position;
• and
• releasing the bag such that at least one of the closure strip, the rail, the end stop and the slider interferes with the interfering portion to support the bag in the holder.

A method of supporting a thermoplastic bag, wherein the bag includes closure strips and a slider disposed on the closure strips for opening and closing the strips, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween;
• inserting a reclosable thermoplastic bag into the holder so that the slider is received in the channel and the bag is supported by the holder;
• and
• exerting a force on the bag to move the bag in relation to the slider, whereby the slider is maintained in a substantially stationary position and the closure strips pass through the slider.

A method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag, the method comprising the steps of:

• contacting the slider with a holding device;
• applying a first force to the thermoplastic bag in a first direction;
• and
• applying a second force to the holding device in a second direction so that the thermoplstic bag moves relative to the holding device and the slider.

A method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag, the method comprising the steps of:

• contacting the slider with a holding device;
• anchoring the holding device;
• gripping the bag;
• and
• moving the gripped bag relative to the holding device and the slider.