Ziploader

Abstract

The disclosed principles provide for a novel flexible bag support structure. An exemplary support structure comprises a support body having a sidewall comprised of a plurality of connected flat panels separated by a folds or other means of connection formed along the lengthwise sides/edges between the flat panels. The creases for each of the plurality of lengthwise folds may be non-parallel and are each diverging from a bottom edge of the sidewall to a top edge of the sidewall. Such an exemplary support body further includes a securing mechanism disposed on a first lateral edge of a beginning flat panel configured to secure the first lateral edge of the beginning flat panel to a second lateral edge of an end flat panel, opposite the first lateral edge, when the sidewall is unfolded and the respective two lateral edges of the beginning and end flat panels are brought together.

1 . A foldable support structure, comprising:
 a body comprising a plurality of connected elongated flat panels, each panel having a pair of widthwise sides and a pair of coextensive lengthwise sides, wherein:
 the plurality of flat panels comprises a beginning panel, an end panel, and a plurality of middle panels connected therebetween along corresponding lengthwise sides; 
 the beginning panel is connected to a first of the plurality of middle panels along a first lengthwise side of the beginning panel and a first lengthwise side of the first middle panel; 
 the end panel is connected to a last of the plurality of middle panels along a first lengthwise side of the end panel and second lengthwise side of the last middle panel; and 
 each middle panel is connected to two adjacent panels respectively along each middle panel's lengthwise sides; 
   a first securing mechanism located proximate an unconnected lengthwise side of the beginning panel, and a second securing mechanism located proximate an unconnected lengthwise side of the end panel complementary to the first securing mechanism, the first and second securing mechanisms configured to removably connect the beginning flat panel to the end flat panel along each's unconnected lengthwise side;   wherein the first securing mechanism comprises a tab extending from the unconnected lengthwise side of the beginning panel, and the second securing mechanism comprises a receiving slot formed within the unconnected lengthwise side of the end panel, wherein a width of the tab is larger than a width of the slot such that the slot securely receives the tab therein to removably connect the beginning flat panel to the end flat panel;   a base opening defined by proximate widthwise sides of the plurality of flat panels when the first securing mechanism is connected to the second securing mechanism; and   a top opening defined by distal widthwise sides of the plurality of flat panels when the first securing mechanism is connected to the second securing mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the body is foldable along each flat panel's connected lengthwise sides such that the flat panels lie stacked and parallel when the first securing mechanism is not connected to the second securing mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The foldable support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first securing mechanism further comprises an adhesive placed along the unconnected lengthwise side of the beginning panel, and the second securing mechanism comprises an adhesive landing area located along the unconnected lengthwise side of the end panel, the adhesive configured to further securely adhere to the landing area to removably connect the beginning flat panel to the end flat panel. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable support structure of  claim 1 , wherein each pair of lengthwise sides of each flat panel are parallel, whereby the top opening is equal to the base opening, and whereby when the beginning flat panel is connected to the end flat panel the body comprises a cylindrical prism where the plurality of flat panels comprise the faces of the prism. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable support structure of  claim 6 , wherein each of the flat panels comprises a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable support structure of  claim 1 , wherein each pair of lengthwise sides of each flat panel are non-parallel and converging toward the base opening, whereby the top opening is larger than the base opening when the first securing mechanism is connected to the second securing mechanism, and whereby when the beginning flat panel is connected to the end flat panel the body comprises a truncated conical prism where the plurality of flat panels comprise the faces of the prism. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable support structure of  claim 8 , wherein each of the flat panels comprises a trapezoid shape. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable support structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the flat panels is formed of a single piece of coated paper, and wherein connections between flat panels are provided by folds in the coated paper between adjacent flat panels. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable support structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the flat panels is formed of a single piece of cardboard, and wherein connections between flat panels are provided by folds in the cardboard between adjacent flat panels. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable support structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the flat panels is formed of metal, and wherein connections between flat panels are provided by hinges. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive located proximate the distal widthwise sides of the plurality of flat panels on an exterior surface of the flat panels, wherein the adhesive is configured to assist securing a top of a flexible bag around said widthwise sides when a body of said bag is located through the top opening.