Apparatus and method for sealing a bag

Abstract

A sealing apparatus is provided. The sealing apparatus includes an elongated sealing portion extending from a first proximal connected end to a distal end. The sealing apparatus also includes an elongated receiver portion extending from a second proximal connected end to a distal opened end. The receiver portion includes a gap extending along a length of the receiver portion, at least one engagement aperture for accommodating the sealing portion therein, and one or more lugs extending generally outwardly therefrom. The sealing apparatus further includes a flexible member. The flexible member joins the sealing portion and the receiver portion at their respective proximal connected ends and operates to allow the sealing portion and the receiver portion to be pivoted relative to one another between a sealed position and a released position.

1 . A sealing apparatus comprising:
 an elongated sealing portion extending from a first proximal connected end to a distal end;   an elongated receiver portion extending from a second proximal connected end to a distal opened end, wherein the receiver portion has a gap extending along a length of the receiver portion, at least one engagement aperture for accommodating the sealing portion therein, and one or more lugs extending generally outwardly therefrom; and   a flexible member;   wherein the flexible member joins the sealing portion and the receiver portion at their respective proximal connected ends; and   wherein the flexible member is operable to allow the sealing portion and the receiver portion to be pivoted relative to one another between a sealed position and a released position.   
   
   
       2 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more lugs begin to extend from the receiver portion at a position spaced distally apart from the proximal connected end and wherein the distance the lugs extend outwardly from the receiver portion increases in the distal direction. 
   
   
       3 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gap is provided on a side of the receiver portion positioned adjacent to the sealing portion. 
   
   
       4 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more lugs extend generally outwardly and downwardly from a location that is spaced apart from the gap such that indented gripping surfaces are provided on both sides of the one or more lugs. 
   
   
       5 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane is integrally formed with the sealing portion and the receiver portion. 
   
   
       6 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is configured as a substantially o-shaped member. 
   
   
       7 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein in the sealed position, substantially the entire sealing portion is accommodated in the engagement aperture of the receiver portion. 
   
   
       8 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a gripping member, wherein the gripping member is positioned distally adjacent to the distal end of the sealing portion and is integrally formed therewith. 
   
   
       9 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a top exterior surface of the gripping member is shaped generally complementary to a top exterior surface of the receiver portion such that in the sealed position, a top exterior surface of the sealing apparatus is a substantially continuous surface. 
   
   
       10 . The sealing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more stiffening ribs, wherein the stiffening ribs extend distally from a portion of the flexible member along at least a portion of the sealing portion.