Apparatus and method for sealing a bag

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to closures, and more particularly to an apparatus for sealing bags. In one embodiment, the invention includes an elongated sealing member and an elongated receiver portion to receive the sealing member. The receiver portion includes at least one engagement aperture to receive the sealing member and an opening extending along a length of the receiver portion. The opening further includes lugs that project generally outwardly from the receiver portion and proximate to the opening. In another embodiment, the invention includes a method for sealing a bag, including positioning a portion of a resealable bag proximate to the engagement aperture and positioning the sealing member proximate to the portion of the resealable bag and the engagement aperture. The sealing member is then pressed into the engagement aperture with the portion of the resealable bag interposed between the sealing member and the receiver portion.

1 - 22 . (canceled).  
   
   
       23 . A sealing apparatus, comprising: 
 an elongated sealing member; and    an elongated receiver portion having at least one engagement aperture to receive the sealing member, the receiver portion having an opening extending along a length of the receiver portion, the opening being bracketed by first and second side ends of the receiver portion, the opening providing access to the engagement aperture, the receiver portion further having lugs that project generally outwardly and downwardly from the receiver portion provided at a location that is spaced apart from the opening and is prior to the side ends, the lugs providing a gripping surface.    
   
   
       24 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the opening includes ridges that extend along the length of the receiver portion and wherein the lugs project generally outwardly and downwardly from the ridges.  
   
   
       25 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the elongated sealing member has a circular cross-section; and the engagement aperture of the receiver portion has an approximately circular cross-sectional shape that is configured to receive the sealing member.  
   
   
       26 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the receiver portion includes a handle that extends at least a portion of the length of the receiver portion and extends outwardly from the receiver portion.  
   
   
       27 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the sealing portion includes an opening that extends along a length of the sealing portion and a lanyard that extends through the opening.  
   
   
       28 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the lanyard is further coupled to the receiver portion.  
   
   
       29 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a flexible coupling member that couples the sealing portion to the receiver portion.  
   
   
       30 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the sealing portion and the receiver portion are formed of a resilient polymeric material.  
   
   
       31 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the resilient polymeric material includes a polyurethane.  
   
   
       32 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the sealing portion and the receiver portion are formed of a generally flexible metallic material.  
   
   
       33 . A sealing apparatus for sealing a bag, comprising: 
 an elongated receiver portion having at least one engagement aperture to receive the sealing member, the receiver portion having an opening extending along a length of the receiver portion, the opening being bracketed by first and second side ends of the receiver portion, the opening providing access to the engagement aperture, the receiver portion further having lugs that project generally outwardly and downwardly from the receiver portion provided at a location that is spaced apart from the opening and is prior to the side ends, the lugs providing a gripping surface.    
   
   
       34 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the opening includes ridges that extend along the length of the receiver, and wherein the lugs project generally outwardly and downwardly from the ridges.  
   
   
       35 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the elongated sealing member has a circular cross-section and the engagement aperture of the receiver portion has an approximately circular cross-sectional shape that is configured to receive the sealing member.  
   
   
       36 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the receiver portion includes a handle that extends at least a portion of the length of the receiver portion and projects outwardly from the receiver portion.  
   
   
       37 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the sealing portion includes an opening that extends along a length of the sealing portion and a lanyard formed into a loop that extends through the opening.  
   
   
       38 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the lanyard is further coupled to the receiver portion.  
   
   
       39 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a flexible coupling member that couples the sealing portion to the receiver portion.  
   
   
       40 . A method for sealing a resealable bag, the method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus having an elongated member and an elongated receiver portion, the elongated receiver portion having at least one engagement aperture to receive the sealing member and having an opening extending along a length of the receiver portion, the opening being bracketed by first and second side ends of the receiver portion, the opening providing access to the engagement aperture, the receiver portion further having lugs that project generally outwardly and downwardly from the receiver portion provided at a location that is spaced apart from the opening and is prior to the side ends, the lugs providing a gripping surface;    positioning a portion of the resealable bag proximate to the engagement aperture;    positioning the sealing member proximate to the portion of the resealable bag and the engagement aperture; and    pressing the sealing member into the engagement aperture of the receiver portion with the portion of the resealable bag interposed between the sealing member and the receiver portion.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the step of positioning a portion of the resealable bag proximate to the engagement aperture further comprises positioning an opening portion of the resealable bag proximate to the engagement aperture.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the step of pressing the sealing member into the engagement aperture of the receiver portion further comprises closing the resealable bag to form a hermetic seal.