초록 ▼

A tensioner and method for use in holding the mouth of a bag in an open position has an annular body made of flexible and resilient material with a perimeter of fixed length. The tensioner can be compressed by manually forcing a periphery of the annular body inward. In the compressed position, the a

A tensioner and method for use in holding the mouth of a bag in an open position has an annular body made of flexible and resilient material with a perimeter of fixed length. The tensioner can be compressed by manually forcing a periphery of the annular body inward. In the compressed position, the annular body is inserted into the mouth of the bag and the inward pressure is removed to allow the annular body to expand against the sides of the bag with sufficient pressure to hold the bag open and to hold the annular body in the installed position within the bag. A tensioner and bag in combination is also described.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A tensioner for use in holding a mouth of a bag in an open position, said bag having sides surrounding said mouth, said tensioner comprising an annular body and being made from flexible and resilient material, said body having a first edge and a second edge, said body conveying from sai

I claim: 1. A tensioner for use in holding a mouth of a bag in an open position, said bag having sides surrounding said mouth, said tensioner comprising an annular body and being made from flexible and resilient material, said body having a first edge and a second edge, said body conveying from said first edge to said second edge, said tensioner having a perimeter, a length of said perimeter being unadjustable, said tensioner having a relaxed position and a compressed position, in said compressed position said tensioner having a reduced area within said perimeter compared to an area when said tensioner is in said relaxed position, said tensioner being changeable from said relaxed position to said compressed position when subjected to sufficient force to bend said perimeter inward, said tensioner returning toward said relaxed position when said force is removed, enabling said tensioner to be sufficiently compressed to be placed in said bag substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bag through said mouth, and subsequently released to exert outward pressure on said sides of said bag, said pressure being sufficient to hold said tensioner in position relative to said sides and to hold said mouth in said open position. 2. A tensioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tensioner has a periphery that is slightly larger than an inside perimeter of said sides of said bag against which said tensioner is to be installed. 3. A tensioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tensioner is a continuous loop and is made from a plastic material that can be bent inward when subjected to an external force without creasing so that said tensioner can return to its original position when said force is removed. 4. A tensioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact surface is uneven to increase friction between said contact surface and said bag. 5. A tensioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact surface is rough. 6. A tensioner as claimed in claim 4 wherein said contact surface has a series of projections thereon to increase friction between said projections and said bag. 7. A tensioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the annular body has indented portions on opposing sides thereof, said indented portions being handles. 8. A tensioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular body is a shape selected from the group of circular, oval and generally rectangular with rounded corners. 9. A tensioner as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tensioner forms a line of contact with said bag along said first edge. 10. A tensioner as claimed in claim 8 wherein said annular body has a bead extending outward from said first edge. 11. A tensioner and bag in combination comprising a tensioner with an annular body having a perimeter that is slightly longer than a circumference of the bag at a mouth of the bag, said annular body is tapered with one edge further from a centre of said body than an opposing edge, said tensioner being unadjustable in length, flexible and resilient, said tensioner being compressible for insertion into the mouth of the bag and expandable to exert pressure on the sides of the bag when released, the tensioner exerting sufficient pressure on the sides of the bag to hold a mouth of the bag open.