DEVICE FOR HOLDING STORAGE BAGS

Abstract

Described herein are holding devices for bags. The holding device comprises a base and a reinforcing member connectable to the base. The base also has fingers that define slots disposed therebetween. In aspects, the slots receive the bag such that the bag is supported by the device. The reinforcing member prevents the base from bending and flexing in response to the weight of the bags held between the slots. In further aspects, the device comprises a surface mounting unit for attaching the device to a surface. The surface mounting unit is connectable to the base.

Claims

1. A holding device for at least one bag, the device comprising: a base comprising at least two fingers in a substantially side by side relationship with each other and defining a slot therebetween for receiving the bag wherein the at least two fingers are held in relation to each other by a bridge extending from one finger to another at the rear of the base; and a reinforcing member attachable to the base and connecting at least two of the at least two fingers and spanning the slot therebetween, wherein the reinforcing member is capable of reinforcing the base such that the base has increased resistance to bending or flexing when at least a portion of the bag is positioned within the slot.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a surface mounting unit for attaching the device to a surface, the surface mounting unit attachable to the base of the device and comprising a top panel, opposing side walls extending from opposing longitudinal edges of the top panel, and at least one wall extending from a position along a length of an under surface of the top panel.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises top and bottom opposing surfaces defining a perimeter of the base.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the reinforcing member is connected to the top surface of the base.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the surface mounting unit is connected to the top surface or the bottom surface of the base.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two fingers have an edge portion at an end thereof, and wherein the edge portion marks a beginning of the slot formed between the at least two fingers.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the slot has a width of about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm or about 10 mm.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the edge portion has a narrower opening than the width of the slot formed between the at least two fingers.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the width of the slot is narrower than a closure portion of the bag but wider than a bag portion of the bag.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the surface mounting unit further comprises a back wall having at least one opening therethrough for attaching the device to the surface and complementary to at least one opening in the at least one wall of the surface mounting unit.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein the base and the top panel further comprise at least one opening which are complementary to each other.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is an elongate piece of material comprising a projecting member having an upper region comprising at least one recess and at least one ridge, and a base region attachable to the base.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the elongate piece of material is substantially straight, staggered or straight with respect to its orientation about the base.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an adhesive layer, attachable to the base or the surface mounting unit.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive layer is attached to the top panel of the surface mounting unit or the side wall of the surface mounting unit.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive layer is a double sided adhesive tape.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive layer is selected from silicone adhesives or epoxy adhesives.

18. The device of claim 2, wherein the surface is a vertical surface or a horizontal surface.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one bag is a plurality of bags.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two fingers are a plurality of fingers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] The present invention will be further understood from the following description with reference to the Figures, in which:

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a holding device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[0080] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a holding device of the present invention.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the holding device of FIG. 2.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 2.

[0083] FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 2.

[0084] FIG. 6 shows perspective view from the bottom of another embodiment of a holding device of the present invention, when in use.

[0085] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a holding device in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

[0086] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a holding device in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Certain Aspects

[0087] The present invention is embodied in a system comprising a rack assembly for hanging or supporting, in a horizontal or vertical position, flexible plastic bags that exhibit a region of increased thickness at or near the top of the bag.

[0088] The rack assembly has rigid rails, or fingers, defining each side of one or more slots. Each slot is wide enough to pass the normal thickness of two typically thin sides of the plastic bag. However, each slot is insufficiently wide to pass the greater thickness of the plastic bag at the region of increased thickness at or near the top of the bag. Thus, once a plastic bag is inserted into a slot by sliding along a bag region of normal thickness, the bag and its contents may thereafter hang suspended between the rails by support of the bag's region of increased thickness upon the rails.

[0089] Three or more rails can be arrayed one to the next to form a plurality of slots for holding a like plurality of bags. Alternatively, there may be only one pair of rails with one slot between them allowing the hanging of only one bag. The rails are normally joined and maintained in a spaced parallel spatial relationship by a rigid bridging between rails. The slot and the rails are typically long enough to permit the whole top of the bag to slide, lengthwise, into the slot with some overlap for security. At least one end of the rack assembly is open to receive the bag. The end(s) of the rails where the bag is received are typically flared or tapered, or in some other way enlarged, so as to aid in starting the slide of the walls of the bag into the slot.

[0090] The rack assembly normally has some means of mounting it to another surface. It is typically either removably mounted by action of a hook or loop on the rack assembly's upper surface that permits it to be hung loosely below a supporting bar, rack, or shelf of some kind. Alternatively, it may be hung more rigidly by action of a bracket that permits the hanger rack assembly to be firmly fastened under a shelf or to a wall with fasteners such as screws or bolts. When the rack assembly is mounted to another surface then a same end of all the slots is typically left open for insertion and removal of bags from a single direction.

[0091] Each rack assembly defines rigid rails, or fingers. These rails border and define a slot between them. This slot is of the proper width to permit two adjacent thicknesses of the wall material of a bag to pass into the slot. The rails are of sufficient length so as to allow the entire length of the top of the bag to be slid between them. The bag, in an embodiment, is made of plastic, but other materials such as metal foil are suitable.

[0092] The edges of the rails that are in contact with the walls of the bag, in an embodiment, are smooth so as to avoid cutting the bag, but are sharp enough to reliably grasp the extra thickness of the bag at its thickened region. This bulk of additional thickness rests on the rails along the whole length of the top of the bag. The top region of the bag is free to stick out on top of the rails. The content-holding portion of the bag hangs below the rails.

[0093] The bag may be removed and replaced from the rack assembly by sliding it out or into each slots between the rails. The rails are held in relation to each other by a bridge of material extending from one rail to another. This bridge can be over the top of the rack assembly or at the rear of the rack assembly. In the case of a top bridge then it must be sufficiently wide, high, and far enough away from the edges of the rails to permit the top region of the plastic bag, and the bag attachment mechanism, to fit under the bridge. Alternately, there may be several slots with rails on each side that are joined together by a common rear bridge. This type of rack assembly serves for multiple bag storage.

[0094] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rack assembly could be made in a circular configuration, and could rotate to bring supported bags to a forward position. In another embodiment of the present invention, a single slot could support a plurality of bags.

[0095] In embodiments of the present invention, the device may be applied to various widths and types of bags.

[0096] In an embodiment of the present invention, the device suitably comprises a flange defining a generally rectangular base adapted to be mounted to a support surface such as a wall, a ceiling, a cabinet shelf or the like, lying in a generally horizontal or vertical plane. The periphery of the base 12 formed with a plurality of apertures through which complementary fasteners may be screw threaded or otherwise affixed to the support surface.

[0097] In an embodiment of the present invention, integrally molded to the base is at least one one-piece clamping member having a pair of identical, arcuate-shaped jaws, each of which has a length L greater than its depth D or width W. The jaws are substantially rigid and are, in an embodiment, fabricated as a unitary body of plastic by injection molding. In an embodiment, a styrene plastic is used, but other materials would be satisfactory. The jaws are provided with gripping members which are adapted to engage opposite faces of the end of the bag disposed therebetween. The jaws converge together to form a mouth on one end of the clamping member. The mouth has an enlarged guideway which gradually tapers into a slit having a width which is smaller than the thickness of the end of the bag.

[0098] In use of the device, a consumer inserts the end of a bag in the enlarged guideway, and thereafter the end of the bag is slidably drawn into, and along, the slit such that the reduced width of the slit will frictionally retain the end of the bag therein while being suspended from the support surface. It should be appreciated that the device can be used with both sealed and opened bags. The frictional force of the bag sandwiched between the gripping members on either side of the slit tends to seal the bag and affords a sufficient gripping action that the bag may be hung from the device, either singly or in a linear array of desired bags.

[0099] It should be appreciated that the device of the present invention can be utilized on all types of bags and that the length of the jaws can be varied to accommodate any size and type of bag. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is relatively simple and inexpensive, is lightweight and durable, and can be easily and conveniently used and manufactured.

[0100] Various embodiments of rack assemblies in accordance with the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0101] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the holding device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The holding device 10 comprises a base 11 and a reinforcing member 13. In aspects, the holding device 10 further comprises a surface mounting unit 12. Both the surface mounting unit 12 and the reinforcing member 13 are attachable to the base 11. The holding device 10 is to be used with a bag, such as a re-sealable bag, (best seen in FIG. 6). In aspects, the bag, when in use with the device 10, has one or more items contained therein (not shown).

[0102] The bags used with the device 10 as described herein are those that are typically known in the art and therefore are not considered limiting to the present invention as described herein. Accordingly, the bag comprises a bag portion defined by a bottom portion connected to side panels and an openable end or closure portion. The openable end has a pair of closure strips which include male and female rib members on opposing closure strips. As understood in the art, when the rib members are in mating engagement, the bag is substantially sealed along the axis of the rib members thereby sealing the contents of the bag.

[0103] Although cooperating male and female rib members are utilized to permit the repeatable opening and sealing of bag, it is contemplated that other suitable mechanisms could be utilized, such as, for exemplary purposes only, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, cooperating male and female rib members having a zipper pull, resealable adhesives, resealable double-sided tape, snap-buttons, tension bands, elastic mechanisms, prong-and-grommet mechanisms, and/or closure flaps having any of the afore-referenced mechanisms. The method of opening and closing the bag is not limiting to the present invention nor does it affect the function of the device 10 as described herein, and therefore, may be of any desired form.

[0104] The base 11 comprises a plurality of spaced apart fingers 18, which project along a width of the base 11. The space between the spaced apart fingers 18 defines a slot 20. The fingers 18 terminate in an edge portion 24. In aspects, the edge portion 24 is a triangular edge (FIGS. 1 to 7). In other aspects, the edge portion 24 is a blunt (e.g., straight) edge or is a rounded edge (FIG. 8). The edge portion 24 marks the position where the bag may be slid into the corresponding slot 20 such that the pair of closure strips of the bag are situated above the slot 20 and are brought into contact with, and supported by, the fingers 18.

[0105] The base 11 further comprises opposing top 15 and bottom 16 surfaces. In aspects, the top surface 15 and bottom surface 16 of the base 11 define a perimeter of the base 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The surface mounting unit 12 may be attached to the top surface 15 or bottom surface 16 of the base 11. The reinforcing member 13 is connected to the top surface 15 of the base 11.

[0106] Persons skilled in the art would understand that the base 11 could have a variety of different dimensions, configurations and shapes and as such, the dimensions, configuration, thickness and shape of the base 11 is not limiting to the present invention nor does it affect the function of the device 10 as described herein, and therefore, may be of any desired dimension, configuration and/or shape. In an aspect, the base 11 is substantially rectangular having dimensions of about 8.25 inches long and about 7.25 inches wide. In an aspect, the thickness of the base 11 or fingers 18 is about 0.3 inches.

[0107] The base 11 may comprise a single slot 20, or the base 11 may comprise any number of slots 20 as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. As would be understood by persons skilled in the art, the maximum number of slots 20 that could be incorporated into the base 11 is ultimately dependent on the size of the base 11 and therefore may be as few or as many that may be needed to meet the requirements of the device 10. It would understood that the more slots 20 that are provided in the base 11, the more bags that can be supported by the device 10. For example, in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 to 7, the base 11 comprises 13 slots. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the base 11 comprises 15 slots.

[0108] In aspects, the slots 20 have a length defined by a portion of a width of the base 11. In aspects, the slots 20 have a length that is substantially as long as the bag to be used with the device 10. In aspects, the length of the slot 20 is longer than the bag, such as, for example, for larger bags. In aspects, the length of the slot 20 is shorter than the closure strips of the closure portion, such that an edge of the closure strip folds within the slot 20 as the bag is being inserted therein. In this way, the bag may be held more securely within the slot 20.

[0109] In aspects, the slots 20 are evenly spaced across the width of the base 11. In aspects, the slots 20 are spaced unevenly across the width of the base 11. Typically, adjacent slots 20 are parallel to one another.

[0110] In aspects, adjacent slots 20 are separated from one another by about 5 mm, about 10 mm, about 15 mm, about 20 mm, about 30 mm, about 35 mm, about 40 mm, about 45 mm, about 50 mm, about 55 mm, or about 60 mm.

[0111] In aspects, the width of the slot 20, as in the distance between adjacent fingers 18, is about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm or about 10 mm. In one aspect, the width of each slot is about 0.030 inches or about 0.762 mm. In another aspect, the width of each slot is about 0.015 inches or about 0.381 mm. For example, the width of all of the slots 20 may be about 3 mm. For example, the width of one slot 20 is about 3 mm and the width of another slot is about 5 mm. This may be with respect to an adjacent slot 20, or any other slot 20. In aspects, the width of the slots 20 is uniform among the slots 20 within the base 11. In aspects, the width of the slots 20 varies among the slots 20 within the base 11. Variations in the width of the slots 20 are considered within the scope of the present invention as herein described.

[0112] In aspects, the width of slot 20 is narrower than the closure portion of the bag but wider than the bag portion of the bag. In this way, a user slides the bag portion of the bag into the slot 20, having the closure portion above the fingers 18 of the base 11, and the bag is frictionally retained therein. Because at least a portion of the slot 20 is narrower than the thickness of the closure strips, at least a portion of the closure strips is supported by the surfaces defining the slot 20.

[0113] In aspects, the width of the slot 20 beginning at the edge portion 24 of the fingers 18 is smaller than the width of the slot 20 between adjacent fingers 18. In aspects, the width of the slot 20 beginning at the edge portion 24 of the fingers 18 is the same size as the width of the slot 20 between adjacent fingers 18.

[0114] When the slot 20 at the edge portion 24 is smaller than the slot 20 formed between the fingers 18 of the base 11, the edge portion 24 is designed to receive the bag portion of the bag and the wider portion of the slot 20 formed between the fingers 18 of the base 11 is designed to receive the closure portion of the bag. When the bag is inserted into the slot 20, the closure portion of the bag will not pass through the narrower slot 20 of the edge portion 24, thus removably securing the bag within the slot 20.

[0115] It would be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the length of the slots 20 across the width of the base 11, the width of the slot 20, and the spacing of the slots 20 relative to each other, is not limiting to the present invention, nor does it interfere with the functionality of the device 10, and thus may be of any desired length, width and/or spacing.

[0116] The surface mounting unit 12 comprises a top panel 30, opposing side walls 32 extending from opposing longitudinal edges of the top panel 30, and at least one wall 34 extending from a position along a length of an under surface of the top panel 30. In aspects, the opposing side walls 32 and the at least one wall 34, extend downwardly from the opposing longitudinal edges and the under surface, respectively, of the top panel 30. The opposing side walls 32 and the at least one wall 34 are connectable to the top surface 15 of the base 11 by methods used in the art, such as, but not limited to, glue, tongue and groove connection, nailing or a combination of these methods and others. The method of connection is not limiting to the present invention, nor does it disrupt the functionality of the device 10, and thus, can be of any desired form.

[0117] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the surface mounting unit 12 further comprises a back wall 35 extending downwardly from the top panel 30 toward the base 11 of the device 10.

[0118] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7, the top panel 30, the side walls 32, the at least one wall 34, the back wall 35, and the base 11 may have openings formed therein. These openings are useful for connecting the surface mounting unit 12 or the base 11 to a surface desired by the user, as described further below.

[0119] In aspects, openings 38 in the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. In aspects, openings 36 in the side wall 32 of the surface mounting unit 12 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. In aspects, openings 40 in the at least one wall 34 of the surface mounting unit 12 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. In aspects, openings 22 in the base 11 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. In aspects, openings 41 in the back wall 35 of the top panel 30 provides a method of attaching the holding device 10 to the surface. As would be understood by persons skilled in the art, any of these openings, as desired by the user, can be used to attach the device 10 to a vertical or a horizontal surface, by fasteners of any suitable type.

[0120] In aspects, the openings 38 in the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 are disposed directly above the openings 22 of the base 11 to allow screws or similar fasteners (not shown) to pass between these openings 22, 38 and into the surface, such as, a shelf or wall (not shown). In aspects, the openings 36 in the side wall 32 are complementary to the openings 40 in the at least one wall 34. These openings 36, 40 can be used in the manner described above for the openings 22, 38. Thus, based on the required orientation of the device 10 desired by the user, or the surface that is available for attaching the device 10, the user can, for example, insert a fastener through the appropriate opening and into the surface to which the holding device 10 is to be attached. Advantageously, the device 10 is suitable when the availability of space for attaching the device 10 is limited.

[0121] One skilled in the art would understand that the device 10 may be mounted installed in number of different ways and orientations and that more than one device 10 can be lined up and installed next to one another to create a long storage system. Depending on the opening utilized, the device 10 may be secureably attached to the horizontal or vertical surface. For example, openings 22 in the base 11 and the openings 38 in the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 would be suitable for mounting the device 10 to the horizontal surface, such as, but not limited to, an underside of a shelf. For example, openings 36 in the side wall 30 of the surface mounting unit 12, the openings 40 of the at least one wall 34, or the openings 41 of the back wall 35 of the top panel 30 would be suitable for mounting the device 10 to the vertical wall. Other attachable surfaces include, but are not limited to a cabinet or closet shelf, a refrigerator shelf, a refrigerator wire rack or the like. The choice of the surface will depend on the requirements of the user and/or the availability of space to secure the device 10 safely to the surface.

[0122] The reinforcing member 13 comprises an elongate piece of material 44 extending in a perpendicular orientation to the fingers 18 of the base 11. The elongate piece of material 44 comprises a projecting member 50 that is connectable to the top surface 15 of the base 11. In aspects, the projecting member 50 is conical in shape having a narrower base region 52, connectable to the finger 18 of the device 10, and a wider upper region 54 which connects to an adjacent projecting member 50 via a ridge 48 in the elongate piece of material 44. In this way, the projecting member 50 takes on a substantially V shape (as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5). It is contemplated that the reinforcing member 13 of the present invention can take on any shape, such as, for example, a straight rectangular bar having straight projecting members 50 extending therefrom (FIG. 7). The shape of the elongate piece of material 44 is not limiting to the function of the device 10, and thus, can be of any desired form.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the elongate piece of material 44 may take on a repeating structure, such that there are recesses 46 and ridges 48 in the upper region 54 of the elongate piece of material 44. In aspects, the ridge 48 is situated above the slot 20 in the base 11. The advantage of the ridge 48 in this orientation is increased space provided for the bag when the user slides it through the slot 20 between the fingers 18. In this way, the bag may not be interrupted by the presence of the reinforcing member 13, during the sliding process and may be more conveniently removed from the device 10 after use.

[0124] In an aspect, the reinforcing member 13 has a height, as measured from the from the top surface 15 of the base 11 to the ridge 48 of the projecting member 50, of about 0.5 inches.

[0125] In aspects, the reinforcing member 13 extends across a portion of the base 11, such as, for example, across about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or about 100% of the base 11. In aspects, the projecting member 50 of the reinforcing member 13 is connected to every finger 18 of the base 11. In aspects, the projecting member 50 of the reinforcing member 13 is connected to alternating fingers 18 of the base 11. In aspects, the alternating fingers 18 can be, for example, every other finger 18 or every second finger 18 or every third finger 18 and so on. Variations in the number of projecting members 50 and therefore the number of fingers 18 that are subsequently contacted is considered within the scope of the present invention as described herein.

[0126] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7, the reinforcing member 13 may be positioned close to the edge portion 24 of the fingers 18 of the base 11. The distance of the reinforcing member 13 from the edge portion 24 is not limiting to the device 10 as herein described. It is contemplated that the reinforcing member 13 can be positioned at any distance from the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 or any distance from the edge portion 24 of the base 11. Variations in the position of the reinforcing member 13 about the base 11, and relative to the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12 and/or the edge portion 24 of the base 11, is considered within the scope of the present invention as described herein.

[0127] Furthermore, while FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 show the reinforcing member 13 as a straight elongate piece of material 44, it is contemplated that, in aspects, the elongate piece of material 44 is substantially straight or may even take on a staggered form, such as, where alternating (and adjacent) projecting members 50 are positioned in front or behind the next adjacent projecting member 50. Variations in the orientation of the projecting members 50 with respect to each other and/or the base 11, is considered within the scope of the present invention as described herein.

[0128] Moreover, while FIGS. 1 to 5 and 7 show a single reinforcing member 13, it is contemplated that, in aspects, more than one reinforcing member 13 may be used or no reinforcing member may be used as shown in FIG. 8.

[0129] The reinforcing member 13 may be attached to the base 11 by any number of methods including, but not limited to, glue, a tongue and groove connection, nailing, screwing or a combination of these methods and others. The method of connection is not limiting to the present invention, nor does it disrupt the functionality of the device 10, and thus, can be of any desired form.

[0130] The reinforcing member 13 is particularly advantageous to the device 10 described herein, in that, it functions to prevent bending and/or flexing of the fingers 18 of the base 11 when the bag, or plurality of bags are supported by the device 10. In this way, the user is not limited to the number of items that can be put in the bag and subsequently supported by the device 10. Therefore, not only may the user include an increased amount of items per bag, per slot 20, but the user can also choose to place larger and/or heavier items per bag, per slot 20. This effectively increases organization of items and storage capacity of the device 10. One skilled in the art would understand that the limitation of the items placed and stored by the bag is dependent on the construction of the bag itself, a factor that is not a component of the present invention.

[0131] While the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 include a reinforcing member 13, it would be understood by persons skilled in the art that a reinforcing member 13 may not be required, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0132] In operation, after the holding device 10 has been attached to the surface (not shown), the user inserts one end of the bag into one of the slots 20. The user may insert an open or closed bag into the slot 20 of the device 10. The user then grips the bag portion of the bag below the holding device 10 and pushes, pulls or otherwise moves the bag toward an end of the holding device 10 opposite where the bag was inserted. In aspects, the user can perform the same actions by grasping the pair of closure strips. To remove the bag from the holding device 10, the user grasps the bag portion, or the closure portion of the bag, and moves the bag in the opposite direction to that of the insertion described above. FIG. 6, shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein bags are supported within the slots 20 of the fingers 18 of the base 11. While only 5 bags are shown to be supported by the device 10, the device 10 of this embodiment can safely support 13 bags due in part to the number of slots 20 illustrated but also because of the reinforcing member 13 which suitably reinforces the base 11.

[0133] In aspects, the holding device 10 further comprises a double-sided adhesive tape strip located on the surface mounting unit 12 or the bottom of the base 11. In aspects, the double-sided adhesive tape strip may be located on the top panel 30 of the surface mounting unit 12.

[0134] In aspects, the double-sided adhesive tape strip may be located on the side wall 30 of the surface mounting unit 12. In aspects, the double-sided adhesive tape strip may be located on the back wall 35 of the surface mounting unit 12. The adhesive tape strip allows the holding device 10 to be adhered to a vertical wall, on top of a horizontal surface or under a horizontal surface, such as a shelf (not shown), without the requirement of fastener elements, such as nails or screws, as described herein. When double-sided adhesive tape strip is used as described herein, the openings described herein may or may not be present. Of course, it would understood that if the openings described herein were present in the device 10, the user could benefit from increased strength of attachment to the surface if both the adhesive tape and fasteners inserted through the openings and into the surface were used together.

[0135] Suitable adhesive tape strips are Removable Foam Tape 4658F or 4492W available from 3M Corporation. Alternatively, other types of adhesive such as silicone adhesives, epoxy adhesives, and the like, could be used to secure the holding device 10 to the surface in any orientation.

[0136] As understood in the art, the bag may further comprise an information bearing portion which serves to bear such critical component part identifying information as the user should like to have present on the surface of the bag. This information can be, but is not limited to, manufacturer contact information, part description, catalog number, customer identifier, date of purchase, cost at purchase, quantity at purchase, quality, size, bar code identifier, the style number of the component part and/or a picture of the component part, or the like. Color coded elements additionally may be provided for the user's convenience and benefit. Provision of this type of information would assist in further organization and identification of the parts found within the bag.

[0137] Examples of commercial bags that may be used with any of the embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to: Ziploc with Easy Zipper, Hefty OneZip, Glad Clicklock, and/or Presto SureSeal. Any of such bags may alternatively be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments described herein, provided that the various elements of the holding device 10 are dimensioned to cooperate with one or more of the bags as described herein.

[0138] One skilled in the art would understand that the bag is not limited to what the bag may hold. For example, the bag may hold (and therefore store), small items such as, but not limited to, nuts and bolts, buttons and other sewing equipment, fishing lures, etc.

[0139] As should be evident, one may use single or ganged multiple holding devices 10 that are secured to the vertical surface, the horizontal surface or a non-horizontal and non-vertical surface in any configuration and/or orientation desired by the user. In the use of the non-horizontal surface, multiple bags may be maintained in a desired arrangement including side-by-side, (i.e., a shingled arrangement) and cascading (i.e., an arrangement where the bags are disposed one above the other and either touching or not touching one another).

[0140] The holding devices 10 of the present invention can be made from most any rigid material such as plastics, glass, metal, wood and similar substances. The only important features of the materials of construction are that they be relatively rigid, be inexpensive, and can be readily formed into a desired shape. Suitable plastic materials include polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene, nylon, polystyrene, Delrin, ABS copolymer, polyester, mylar polyurethane, PVC, polyethylene, and vinyl and a wide variety of other similar homopolymers and copolymer materials. The holding device 10 can also be made of metals such as stainless steel and aluminum and foam materials such as urethane foam, polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, styrofoam, and Volara foam. It is within the scope of the present invention as herein described that any part of the holding device 10 (e.g., the surface mounting unit 12, the base 11 etc.), may be made from the same or different materials described above.

[0141] Typically, the holding device 10 is molded as a single piece; however a multi-part construction could be utilized without deviating from the present invention. Any suitable molding technique can be used to form these devices 10, including injection molding, and thermoforming. Additionally, the holding devices 10 can be formed in multiple parts that are snapped, pressed or otherwise fastened together during manufacture and assembly. The variations in manufacture, assembly and material the device 10 is made from are not to be seen as limiting on the device 10 and in no way affect the function of the device 10, and thus, may take on any desired form.

[0142] The above-described embodiments allow the user to address a variety of storage problems. First, the holding devices 10 enable the user to store and organize re-closable bags to fully utilize available storage space. For example, in a workshop, refrigerator, closet, pantry or the like. The present invention allows the user to hang bags from the underside of a shelf, thus freeing up the shelf surface space for the storage of other items. This type of use also ensures that the bags are clearly in view and always in the same location.

[0143] Another advantage of the present invention is that the reinforcing member 13 allows for the base 11 portion to support heavier items and/or a greater number of individual items in a single bag. Thus, the user can maximize the storage capacity of the bag and/or the device 10.

[0144] Another advantage of the present invention is that an individual bag may easily be removed from, and re-supported by, the fingers 18 with minimal effort, and further may be slid along the fingers 18 in order to space one bag apart from an adjacent bag. Thus, the device 10 of the present invention increases storage capacity and organization for the user.

[0145] It will be understood that certain of the above-described structures, functions, and operations of the above-described embodiments are not necessary to practice the present invention and are included in the description simply for completeness of an exemplary embodiment or embodiments. In addition, it will be understood that specific structures, functions, and operations set forth in the above-described referenced patents and publications can be practiced in conjunction with the present invention, but they are not essential to its practice. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described without actually departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.