DESCRIPTION

This invention concerns sealing devices and, in particular, sealing devices for use with plastics bags. Plastics bags are often used for storage purposes and sometimes to protect items from water. However, the sealing of such bags either involves tying a knot in the neck of the bag, if sufficient plastics material is available, or encircling the neck of the bag with a tie. In either case that can be inconvenient when the bag is to be opened as the bag can be ripped and so not re¬ usable. Furthermore, the bag is never fully sealed so that ingress of water is a possibility and also the contents of the bag may suffer other deterioration. Another problem with using plastics bags for storage is the space occupied as the act of sealing the bag often leaves air trapped in the bag which maintains its size greater than the size of its contents. In addition, a bag in that condition is more likely to be torn open by being snagged on another object.

An object of this invention is to provide a device for sealing plastics bags.

According to the invention there is provided a device for sealing plastics bags comprising a first part

and a second part that cooperate to trap a neck of a plastics bag therebetween and to provide a seal for the bag.

Preferably the first part of the device of the invention comprises a ring or the like through which the neck of the bag is inserted and the second part preferably comprises a sealing member that fits into the bag and into the first part with the neck of the bag trapped therebetween. The second part may be an interference or friction fit in the first part or the parts may have mutually engaging formations.

The second part preferably includes one-way valve means whereby air in the bag may be expelled from the bag via the second part but may not return to the bag. The valve means may be of any suitable form. One possibility is for the second part to have one or more apertures therein covered by a flap or flaps, whereby air being expelled through the aperture or apertures displaces the flap or flaps which then return to seal the aperture or apertures.

The second part may be provided as a hollow member having said aperture or apertures in one wall and an aperture in another wall to which suction means may be applied for evacuating air from the bag through the valve means.

The first part may be provided merely as a ring

but alternatively said ring may be extended to provide a space above the second part for ends of the plastics bag and a closure may be provided for said space.

Edges of the first and second parts likely to come into contact with the plastics bag are preferably rounded to avoid damage thereto. The sealing device of the invention may be provided with hanging means, such as a hook or the like, preferably attached to or integral with the first or the second part of the device.

The sealing devices of the invention may have a variety of uses. In particular space saving storage is possible because air in a plastics bag sealed with a device of the invention may be expelled to reduce its overall size. As well as expelling air for space saving, that may also achieve preservation of contents, such as food, of the bag. Furthermore, a bag sealed with a device of the invention may provide waterproof storage, for example on boats. This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a section through a sealing device of the invention; anc Figure 2 i≤> a section through another sealing device of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a device 10 for sealing a plastics bag 12 comprises a ring 14 which is positioned around the neck of the bag 12 and a sealing part 16 that fits into the neck of the bag and within the ring 14. The ring 14 has a side wall 18 and an internal lip 20 on which sits a flat, circular rubber seal 22.

The sealing part 16 comprises a generally hollow cylindrical body 24 having a lower wall 26, an upper wall 28 and a sidewall 30. The lower wall 26 has a plurality of apertures 32 therein and has fixed thereto interiorly and centrally of the body 24 a rubber sealing disc 34 whose area extends beyond the apertures 32.

The upper wall 28 has a single opening 36 therein with an upstanding sidewall 38 to which is attached by means of mutually cooperating ribs 40, 42 a cap 44 for connection of suction means (not shown) .

The sidewall 30 of the part 16 has an annular recess 46 which retains a sealing ring 48. It should be noted that the outer edges of the part 16 are rounded to avoid damaging the plastics bag 12, as are the edges of the ring 14.

In use, after the plastics bag 12 has been filled, the neck of the bag is pushed through the ring 14. Then the part 16 is inserted into the neck of the bag and pushed into the ring 14 trapping the neck of the

bag between them. Then either the bag is compressed to expel air out of the bag through the part 16 or suction means is used via the cap. The disc 34 acts as a one way valve with the apertures 32, whereby air can exit through the part 16 but cannot return to the bag. Once the bag and its contents have been reduced to a desired size, the bag neck can be tied up in a conventional manner, if desired.

The use of the sealing device with plastics bags has a number of advantages. For articles in the bag which are reducible in size themselves, such as clothing or sleeping bags, by expulsion of air storage space may be saved. That may be useful for reducing transport costs of goods as well as space saving in situations where space is of a premium, such as on board boats. Secondly, provided that the plastics chosen for the bag is water impervious and the bag is integral, articles may be stored in a waterproof condition. Thirdly, food items subject to deterioration in air may be preserved for longer periods than in conventional containers when sealed in plastics bags using sealing devices of the invention.

Turning to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, a sealing device 60 is shown that is similar to that of Figure 1. Therefore, like parts having been given the same reference numeral and will not be described in

detail. Only the differences between the respective sealing devices will be described in detail below. Firstly, the sealing device 60 has a ring 62 that extends above the sealing part 16 to provide a space 64 into which the ends of the plastics bag can be folded and a closure 66 hingedly connected to the ring 62 is provided to close that space 64. The main advantage of that feature is tidiness.

Secondly, the sealing part 16 does not have an annular recess for a sealing ring but is surrounded by a sealing band 68.

Use of the sealing device 60 is the same as use of the sealing device 10. For both embodiments, the sealing part 16 may be easily removed, for retrieval of contents of the bag, either by pushing the sealing part upwards or by pulling it outwards.

It will be apparent that the embodiments illustrated may be modified without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.