Patent ID: 7946764
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: B65D,B65F

Abstract:
1. An expandable bag assembly with support aid for filling the bag assembly comprising: a flexible bag having a closed end portion, an open end portion, and collapsible sidewalls that define an internal cavity, the open end portion defining a mouth of the bag and being moveable to an open position to receive fill material into the internal cavity and being moveable to a closed position, the collapsible sidewalls being movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position; and a plurality of substantially planar stiffeners attached to the sidewalls around the mouth of the bag, wherein each of the stiffeners is distinct from and adjacent to other ones of the stiffeners and is moveable relative to the adjacent ones of the stiffeners when the mouth of the bag is in the open position, the stiffeners being spaced apart by intervening gaps that allow the bag to be folded to form a substantially planar configuration, the stiffeners including an integral fold line about which the stiffener can be folded, the stiffeners defining a positionable self-supporting structure proximate to the mouth of the bag and configured to define a portion of the internal cavity proximate to the mouth of the bag and to retain the mouth of the bag and the portion of the internal cavity in the open position to receive fill material therein, the self-supporting structure being configured to rest on at least a portion of the collapsible sidewalls in the collapsed position while holding the mouth of the bag in the open position.