초록 ▼

A method and device of inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag is disclosed, with the method involving providing a substantially flexible resilient food stuff support that is generally “U” shaped when viewed from its operative position on a countertop, inserting at least a first end of the devi

A method and device of inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag is disclosed, with the method involving providing a substantially flexible resilient food stuff support that is generally “U” shaped when viewed from its operative position on a countertop, inserting at least a first end of the device a short depth into an opening of a pliable bag, such first end having an edge that is curved and opposing sides that are substantially straight. A bending mechanism bends so that at least the first end deforms from a first configuration to a second configuration for insertion of the first end through the bag opening and into an interior of the bag, wherein when the forces are reduced, the first end changes shape toward the first configuration for holding a portion of the bag and for providing an open volume within the bag for transferring a food stuff to the interior of the bag.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag, comprising: a substantially flexible resilient, water-resistant, generally planar sheet of material substantially defined by a perimeter, said sheet having handholds consisting of two ergonomically contoured holes positioned at substantia

1. A device for inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag, comprising: a substantially flexible resilient, water-resistant, generally planar sheet of material substantially defined by a perimeter, said sheet having handholds consisting of two ergonomically contoured holes positioned at substantially opposite ends of a width of the planar sheet, wherein the width is substantially orthogonal to a direction for transferring the food stuff into the bag, the resilient sheet configured such that flexing of the sheet into a generally curved surface results in the bending of the sheet; wherein tension in the sheet urges the sheet toward a generally planar configuration; wherein the flexed sheet is dimensioned to be inserted through the mouth of a pliable bag and into the interior storage area of the bag, and to engage the side walls of the bag while in a flexed position such that the side walls of the bag engage and maintain the sheet in such flexed position; and wherein the sheet is dimensioned to extend from the bag and support the mouth of the bag, wherein when forces are applied, the sheet bends to achieve flexing of the sheet into a generally curved surface and tension in the sheet urges the sheet toward a generally planar configuration to deform the bag for providing an open volume within the bag; and an inclined support configured to facilitate a food stuff being poured onto the planar sheet so that it can flow by gravity into the bag, the planar sheet being maintained in a bowed configuration and having an expanded portion near the opening of the bag so that food stuff can easily flow into the bag, the inclined support including a support structure that extends between a fold and an edge, said support structure formed of plastic and adapted to be flattened when not used, said support having means for maintaining the inclined support in its upright position. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a surface that includes a mesh. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes a cutting resistant surface. 4. A device for inserting a food stuff into a food stuff bag, comprising: a substantially flexible resilient food stuff support having a food stuff supporting surface substantially defined by a perimeter including: a first end for insertion into an opening of a pliable bag, an opposite second end, and opposing sides that: (i) connect to the first end, and (ii) span a distance between the first and second ends; wherein in a first configuration, the first end has a width between the opposing sides that is greater than a width of an opening of the bag, and in a second configuration, the first end has a width between the opposing sides that is less than the width of the opening of the bag; an aperture in the food stuff support for applying one or more forces to the food stuff support for bending the food stuff support, wherein when the forces are applied, the food stuff support bends so that at least the first end deforms from the first configuration to the second configuration for insertion of the first end through the bag opening and into an interior of the bag; wherein when the forces are reduced, the first end changes shape toward the first configuration, and the width of the first end increases effectively for providing an open volume within the bag, wherein said food stuff supporting surface has handholds consisting of two ergonomically contoured holes positioned at substantially opposite ends of a width of the food stuff supporting surface, wherein the width is substantially orthogonal to a direction for transferring the food stuff into the bag; and an inclined support configured to facilitate a food stuff being poured onto the food stuff supporting surface so that it can flow by gravity into the bag, the food stuff supporting surface being maintained in a bowed configuration and having an expanded portion near the opening of the bag so that food stuff can easily flow into the bag, the inclined support including a support structure that extends between a fold and an edge, said support structure formed of plastic and adapted to be flattened when not used, said support structure having means for maintaining the inclined support in an upright position. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device comprises a surface that includes a mesh. 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the device includes a cutting resistant surface. 7. A food stuff insertion device comprising: a substantially flexible resilient food stuff support having a food stuff supporting surface substantially defined by a perimeter including: a first end for insertion into a pliable bag, an opposite second end, and opposing sides wherein the opposing sides are: (i) connected to the first end, and (ii) span a distance between the first and second ends; wherein in a first configuration, the first end has a width between the opposing sides that is greater than a width of an opening of the bag, and in a second configuration, the first end has a width between the opposing sides that is less than the width of the opening of the bag; at least two predetermined force applying portions of the device, operably connected to the food stuff support, wherein forces are applied to the food stuff support for bending the food stuff support, wherein the force applying portions includes an aperture for use in bending the food stuff support; wherein when the forces are applied to the force applying portions, the food stuff support bends so that at least the first end deforms from the first configuration to the second configuration; wherein in the second configuration, the first end is adapted to enter an interior of the pliable bag, and subsequently the forces are reduced thereby allowing the width of the first end to increase effectively for providing an open volume within the bag, wherein said food stuff support includes a shape resilient material that tends to flatten out when not subject to bending forces and wherein the portion includes a cutting resistant surface, wherein said food stuff supporting surface has handholds consisting of two ergonomically contoured holes positioned at substantially opposite ends of a width of the food stuff supporting surface, wherein the width is substantially orthogonal to a direction for transferring the food stuff into the bag; and an inclined support configured to facilitate the food stuff being poured onto the food stuff supporting so that the food stuff can flow by gravity into the bag, the food stuff support being maintained in a bowed configuration and having an expanded portion near the opening of the bag so that the food stuff can easily flow into the bag, the inclined support including a support structure that extends between a fold and an edge, said support structure adapted to be flattened when not used, said support structure having means for maintaining the inclined support in an upright position. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device comprises a surface that includes a mesh. 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the device includes a cutting resistant surface. 10. The device of claim 7, wherein the means for maintaining the inclined support in an upright position comprises a cord or a chain that prevents the inclined support from flattening out unintendedly. 11. The device of claim 7, wherein said fold comprises two hinges. 12. The device of claim 7, wherein said means for maintaining the inclined support in an upright position comprises a cutout and a cross support adapted to be fitted into the cutout. 13. The device of claim 7, wherein said cross support is secured in the cutout to preclude the inclined support from flattening or folding together. 14. The device of claim 7, wherein the inclined support has edges that have a non-skid rubber or other elastomeric covering or coating. 15. The device of claim 7, wherein the inclined support also includes one or more bag opener supports comprising a perimeter of a contoured hole that is formed in a central portion of the inclined support. 16. The device of claim 7, wherein the inclined support has two bag opener supports that each have first and second support edges, and wherein the first and second support edges do not mirror each other. 17. The device of claim 7, wherein the inclined support is adapted to support two differently sized bag openers having different widths.