U.S. patent application number 10/267139 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for garbage bag system.
Invention is credited to O'Neill, George B..
Application Number | 20040066987 10/267139 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32042797 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040066987 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Neill, George B. |
April 8, 2004 |
Garbage bag system
Abstract
A garbage bag system for providing an economical and disposable
garbage bag then when opened maintains a freestanding shape. With a
freestanding shape the garbage bag system does not require an
additional container or frame to hold the garbage bag open.
Deleting this requirement will significantly simplify lawn
maintenance and janitorial work. A support ring at the top, and a
support ring at the bottom, give shape and rigidity to the system.
The sides are constructed using molded beveled flutes running
vertically to provide structural support to the system. Openings in
the top of the system provide access to a cinch strap used for
drawing the garbage bag system closed. A second embodiment of the
garbage system uses a plurality of telescopic side sections to
provide additional support to the freestanding design.
Inventors: |
O'Neill, George B.;
(Charleston, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael S. Neustel
Suite No. 4
2534 South University Drive
Fargo
ND
58102
US
|
Family ID: |
32042797 |
Appl. No.: |
10/267139 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/75 ; 383/104;
383/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/02 20130101;
B65D 33/28 20130101; B65F 1/1415 20130101; B65D 31/18 20130101;
B65F 2220/1066 20130101; B65D 31/04 20130101; B65F 1/0006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/075 ;
383/104; 383/109 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/28; B65D
030/16; B65D 030/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A garbage bag system, comprising: a bottom covering; a side
covering having a first end and a second end, wherein said first
end is attached to said bottom covering; a first ring positioned
within said side covering near said first end; a second ring
positioned within said side covering near said second end; and a
strap positioned within said side covering.
2. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said bottom covering
is comprised of multi-ply plastic.
3. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said side covering is
comprised of multi-ply plastic.
4. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said side covering is
sealed together along the circumference of the said side covering
at a point below said second end at a distance slightly greater
than the width of said strap but above said second ring creating a
channel for positioning said strap.
5. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said first end has a
diameter of between 1/2 to 1/3 the diameter of said second end.
6. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said first end and
said bottom covering are heat-sealed together along the diameter of
said bottom covering.
7. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said first ring and
said second ring are made from hardened plastic to maintain the
circular shape of said first ring and said second ring.
8. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said side covering is
constructed with heat-treated plastic molded into a plurality of
beveled flutes running vertically from said second end to said
first end.
9. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said strap is made
from pliable plastic.
10. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said second end of
said side covering has a plurality of openings exposing said
strap.
11. A garbage bag system, comprising: a base side covering having a
first end and a second end, wherein said first end has a bottom
covering; a plurality of telescopically mating upper side coverings
each having a lower end and an upper end, wherein said lower end
has a size smaller than said second end of said base side covering;
and a top side covering having a top end and a bottom end, wherein
said bottom end has a size smaller than said upper end of said
telescopically mating upper side coverings.
12. A garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said base side
covering has a first ring positioned within said base side
covering.
13. A garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said top side
covering has a second ring positioned with said top side
covering.
14. A garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said top side
covering has a strap positioned within said top side covering.
15. The garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said base side
covering, said plurality of telescopically mated upper side
coverings and said top side covering are comprised of multi-ply
plastic.
16. The garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said top side
covering is sealed together along the circumference of the said top
side covering at a point below said top end at a distance slightly
greater than the width of said strap but above said second ring
creating a channel for positioning said strap.
17. The garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said first end has
a diameter of between 1/2 to 1/3 the diameter of said top end.
18. The garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said base side
cover, said plurality of telescopically mated upper side coverings
and said top side covering are constructed with heat-treated
plastic molded into a plurality of beveled flutes running
vertically on said base side covering, each of said plurality of
telescopically mated upper side coverings and said top side
covering.
19. The garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said strap is made
from pliable plastic.
20. The garbage bag system of claim 11, wherein said second end of
said multi-ply conically shaped side covering has a plurality of
openings exposing said strap.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable to this application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable to this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to garbage bags and
more specifically it relates to a garbage bag system for providing
an economical and disposable garbage bag that when opened maintains
a freestanding shape thereby simplifying lawn maintenance and
janitorial work by deleting the need for a trash container to
support the garbage bag.
[0005] 2. Description of the
[0006] Garbage bags have been in use for years. Typically, garbage
bags are made of plastic and are positioned within trash
containers. The structure of the trash container facilitates
keeping the bag open so that material can be deposited therein. The
trash container also provides a structure that allows the garbage
bag to maintain a tubular shape.
[0007] Efforts have been made to design freestanding garbage
containers. Designs have included bags having a rectangular shape
to facilitate their staying in an open configuration. Typically,
these bags are made from materials that more readily maintain their
shape when opened. Folded paper bags are an example of this type of
freestanding bag. Freestanding plastic garbage bag designs have
historically included attempting to thicken the plastic to
facilitate the garbage bag holding its shape. However, thickening
the plastic is not a cost effective method to provide a
freestanding garbage bag.
[0008] Current garbage bags require the user to have a trash
container to effectively use the bags. This can be cumbersome and
difficult for users doing lawn maintenance and janitorial work. As
the user travels to work from one location to another he has to
transport the trash container. Often the user will desire having
the garbage available without being required to locate and use a
trash container.
[0009] Examples of patented devices which may be related to the
present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,767 to Cardulla; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,848,930 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,286 to Palmer;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,029 to Abblett; U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,371 to
Moravek; U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,977 to Robbins, III; U.S. Pat. No.
4,353,497 to Bustin; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,087,702 to Van Patten.
[0010] While these devices may be suitable for the particular
purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for
providing an economical and disposable garbage bag that when opened
maintains a freestanding shape without any supplemental
support.
[0011] Prior art systems often comprised elaborate mechanism and
means to attempt to maintain a freestanding configuration. In
addition, some prior art systems include materials that
significantly increase the weight and cost of freestanding
systems.
[0012] In these respects, the garbage bag system according to the
present invention substantially departs from the conventional
concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an
apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing an
economical, disposable garbage bag that when opened maintains a
freestanding shape thereby simplifying lawn maintenance and
janitorial work by deleting the need for a trash container to
support the garbage bag.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of garbage bags now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new garbage bag system construction wherein
the same can be utilized for providing an economical, disposable
garbage bag that when opened maintains a freestanding shape thereby
simplifying lawn maintenance and janitorial work by deleting the
need for a trash container to support the garbage bag.
[0014] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new
garbage bag system that has many of the advantages of the garbage
bags mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a
new garbage bag system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious,
suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art garbage bags,
either alone or in any combination thereof.
[0015] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises
two plastic support rings the smaller of which provides the shape
to the bottom of the garbage bag and the larger ring providing the
shape to the top of the garbage bag. Connecting these two rings and
giving the garbage bag system its shape is a multi-ply plastic that
is designed and manufactured to provide a sufficiently rigid
structure to maintain the garbage bag system in a conical
freestanding configuration. The garbage bag system can be stored in
a collapsed state to minimize the overall storage volume of the
garbage bag system.
[0016] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto.
[0017] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0018] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
garbage bag system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior
art devices.
[0019] A second object is to provide a garbage bag system for
providing an economical, disposable garbage bag that when opened
maintains a freestanding shape.
[0020] An additional object is to provide a garbage bag system that
is self-supporting.
[0021] A further object is to provide a garbage bag system that
simplifies lawn maintenance and janitorial work.
[0022] Another object is to provide a garbage bag system that is
economical.
[0023] An additional object is to provide a garbage bag system that
is easy to use.
[0024] A further object is to provide a garbage bag system that can
be cinched closed.
[0025] Another object is to provide a garbage bag system that can
be stored in a collapsed state.
[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects
and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
[0027] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be
made in the specific construction illustrated and described within
the scope of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of
the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0029] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention
cinched closed.
[0031] FIG. 3 is an upper perspective cutaway view of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment
of the present invention illustrating a telescopic
configuration.
[0033] FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment
of the present invention with the telescopic configuration cinched
closed.
[0034] FIG. 6 is an upper perspective cutaway view of a second
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a telescopic
configuration.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the
present invention along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a top view of a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present
invention illustrating the telescopic configuration in a collapsed
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate a garbage bag system 10, which
comprises a side covering 40 attached to a bottom covering 50. The
bottom of the side covering 40 includes a first ring 20 for giving
the bottom of the side covering 40 a circular shape. The top of the
side covering 40 includes a second ring 22 for giving the top of
the side covering 40 a circular shape. A cinch strap 30 is used to
draw the top of the garbage bag system 10 closed. The outer wall 42
and inner wall 44 are manufactured and designed to provide
sufficient stiffness to maintain the shape of the freestanding
garbage bag system 10. In one embodiment the outer wall 42 and
inner wall 44 are manufactured and designed in a telescopic
configuration.
[0039] The bottom covering 50 is preferably of a multi-ply
construction comprised of a top layer 54 and a bottom layer 52. The
top layer 54 and the bottom layer 52 are preferably made of plastic
however various other materials may be utilized. The bottom
covering 50 preferably has a circular shape. The top layer 54 and
the bottom layer 52 are preferably heat-sealed along the entire
circumference of the bottom covering 50 for providing additional
strength to the bottom of the freestanding garbage bag system
10.
[0040] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the side covering 40 is made of a
multi-ply construction. The inner wall 44 and the outer wall 42 are
preferably constructed in a conical shape with the bottom of the
inner wall 44 and the outer wall 42 of a diameter equal to the
diameter of the bottom covering 50. However, it can be appreciated
by one skilled in the art that shapes other than conical may be
used. The diameter of the bottom covering 50 is preferably between
1/2 and 1/3 the diameter of the top ends of the inner wall 44 and
the outer wall 42. The bottom ends of the inner wall 44 and the
outer wall 42 are heat-sealed to the top layer 54 and the bottom
layer 52 to provide a watertight base to the garbage bag system
10.
[0041] The inner wall 44 and the outer wall 42 are preferably made
of a heat-treated plastic that allows for the plastic to be molded
into a semi-rigid beveled shape. The flutes of the bevels run
vertically down the side covering 40 from the top of the side
covering 40 to the bottom of the side covering 40. The top ends of
the inner wall 44 and the outer wall 42 are heat-sealed together.
The inner wall 44 and the outer wall 42 are additionally
heat-sealed at a distance from the top of the side covering 40
greater than the width of the cinch strap 30. This additional
heat-seal creates a channel 48 for the cinch strap 30 to rest
in.
[0042] The first ring 20 rests within the void 46 between the inner
wall 44 and the outer wall 42. The first ring 20 is preferably made
from hardened plastic that will maintain its circular shape. The
diameter of the first ring 20 is slightly larger than the diameter
of the bottom covering 50 thereby providing a circular base to the
garbage bag system 10. Though the first ring 20 in the preferred
embodiment is made of plastic it is obvious to one skilled in the
art that the first ring 20 could be made from other materials
capable of providing a rigid base to the garbage bag system 10.
[0043] The second ring 22 also rests within the void between the
inner wall 44 and the outer wall 42. Preferably the second ring 22
frictionally rests on the inside surface of the outer wall 42 below
the channel 48 created for the cinch strap 30. The second ring 22
is preferably made from hardened plastic that will maintain its
circular shape. The diameter of the second ring 22 is preferably
slightly smaller than the diameter of the top of the garbage bag
system 10. Though the second ring 22 in the preferred embodiment is
made of plastic it is obvious to one skilled in the art that the
second ring 22 could be made from other materials capable of
providing a rigid circular shape to the top of the garbage bag
system 10.
[0044] The cinch strap 30 rests within the channel 48 at the top of
the side covering 40. The cinch strap 30 is preferably a piece of
pliable plastic formed into a circle and capable of being pulled
and tied to close the top of the garbage bag system 10. However, it
can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that materials other
than plastic could be utilized for the cinch strap 30. A first
opening 49a and a second opening 49b are located at the top of the
side covering 40. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first opening
49a and the second opening 49b are preferably located opposite each
other to facilitate cinching the top of the garbage bag system 10
by drawing the cinch strap 30 out of the first opening 49a and the
second opening 49b.
[0045] FIGS. 4 through 9 show a second embodiment of the garbage
bag system 10. In this embodiment the side covering 40 is
telescopically shaped and is preferably comprised of a base side
covering 62, a plurality of upper side coverings 60 and a top side
covering 64. The base side covering 62, the plurality of upper side
coverings 60 and the top side covering 64 are preferably made of a
multi-ply construction having an inner wall 44 and an outer wall 42
which are heat-sealed together at the top and the bottom of the
base side covering 62, each of the plurality of upper side
coverings 60 and the top side covering 64.
[0046] The bottom end of the base side covering 62 is additionally
heat-sealed to the bottom covering 50 to provide a watertight base
to the garbage bag system 10. The bottom end of each of the
plurality of upper side coverings 60 is of a diameter slightly
smaller than the diameter of the top end of the upper side covering
60 directly below it. The bottom end of the top side covering 64 is
of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the top end of
the top-most upper side covering 60. With this telescopic design,
when the first of the upper side coverings 60 is extended away from
the base side covering 62 the bottom end of the upper side covering
60 frictionally engages the top end of the base side covering 62.
Correspondingly, as each subsequent upper side covering 60 is
extended away from the base side covering 62 each upper side
covering 60 frictionally engages the upper side covering 60
directly below. Lastly, the top side covering 64 frictionally
engages the upper side covering 60 directly below the top side
covering 64.
[0047] Situated within the void 46 created between the inner wall
44 and the outer wall 42 of the base side covering is the first
ring 20. The first ring 20 is preferably made from hardened plastic
that will maintain its circular shape. The diameter of the first
ring 20 is slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom
covering. Though the first ring 20 in this embodiment is made of
plastic it is obvious to one skilled in the art that the first ring
20 could be made from other materials capable of providing a rigid
base to the garbage bag system 10.
[0048] The inner wall 44 and the outer wall 42 of the top side
covering 64 are additionally heat-sealed at a distance from the top
of the top side covering 64 greater than the width of the cinch
strap 30. This heat-seal creates a channel 48 for the cinch strap
30 to rest in. Situated within the void 46 created between the
inner wall 44 and the outer wall 42 and below the cinch strap 30 of
the top side covering 64 is the second ring 22.
[0049] The second ring 22 preferably frictionally rests on the
inside surface of the outer wall 42 below the channel 48 created
for the cinch strap 30. The second ring 22 is preferably made from
hardened plastic that will maintain its circular shape. The
diameter of the second ring 22 is preferably slightly smaller than
the diameter of the top of the garbage bag system 10. Though the
second ring 22 in this embodiment is made of plastic it is obvious
to one skilled in the art that the second ring 22 could be made
from other materials capable of providing a rigid circular shape to
the top of the garbage bag system 10.
[0050] In this second embodiment the cinch strap 30 rests within
the channel 48 at the top of the top side covering 64. The cinch
strap 30 is preferably a piece of pliable plastic formed into a
circle and capable of being pulled and tied to close the top of the
garbage bag system 10. However, it can be appreciated by one
skilled in the art that materials other than plastic could be
utilized for the cinch strap 30. A first opening 49a and a second
opening 49b are located at the top of the top side covering 64. As
best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first opening 49a and the second
opening 49b are preferably located opposite each other to
facilitate cinching the top of the garbage bag system 10 by drawing
the cinch strap 30 out of the first opening 49a and the second
opening 49b.
[0051] In use, a number of garbage bag systems 10 would be stored
together. One garbage bag system 10 would be separated from the
other garbage bag systems 10. The garbage bag system 10 would be
opened up from its stored configuration. The top-most section of
the side covering 40 would be pulled away from the bottom-most
section of the side covering 40. The first ring 20 would provide a
circular shape for the bottom covering, and the second ring 22
would provide a circular shape for the top-most section for the
side covering 40. The heat-treated beveled inner wall 44 and outer
wall 42 would provide sufficient rigidity to the configuration so
that the garbage bag system 10 will be usable without the need for
additional support. To close the garbage bag system 10 the user
pulls the cinch strap 30 out from first opening 49a and the second
opening 49b. By drawing up the exposed sections of the cinch strap
30, the top-most section of the side covering 40 will be drawn
together to close the garbage bag system 10. The two sections of
the cinch strap 30 that have been pulled through the first opening
49a and second opening 49b can be tied into a knot keeping the
garbage bag system 10 closed.
[0052] In another embodiment of the garbage bag system 10 the
garbage bag systems 10 would be preferably stacked one on top of
another as the garbage bag system's 10 telescopic configuration
will best support this method of storing. However it can be
appreciated by one skilled in the art that other methods of storing
could be used. The top side covering 64 is drawn up from the
garbage bag system 10. The top side covering 64 then frictionally
engages the outer-most upper side covering 60, which then
frictionally engages the next most upper side covering 60. Each
upper side covering 60 is drawn up by this method until the last
upper side covering 60 frictionally engages the base side covering
62. This telescopic configuration, along with the first ring 20,
and the second ring 22 would provide sufficient rigidity to the
configuration so that the garbage bag system 10 will be usable
without the need for additional support.
[0053] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and
operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent
from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion
relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0054] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and
all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0055] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
1 Index of Elements for Garbage Bag System .quadrature.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS .quadrature. .quadrature. .quadrature.
.quadrature. .quadrature. .quadrature. .quadrature. .quadrature.
.quadrature. .quadrature. .quadrature. 10. Garbage Bag System
.quadrature. 11. .quadrature. 12. .quadrature. 13. .quadrature. 14.
.quadrature. 15. .quadrature. 16. .quadrature. 17. .quadrature. 18.
.quadrature. 19. .quadrature. 20. First Ring .quadrature. 21.
.quadrature. 22. Second Ring .quadrature. 23. .quadrature. 24.
.quadrature. 25. .quadrature. 26. .quadrature. 27. .quadrature. 28.
.quadrature. 29. .quadrature. 30. Cinch Strap .quadrature. 31.
.quadrature. 32. .quadrature. 33. .quadrature. 34. .quadrature. 35.
.quadrature. 36. .quadrature. 37. .quadrature. 38. .quadrature. 39.
.quadrature. 40. Side Covering .quadrature. 41. First Friction Stop
.quadrature. 42. Outer Wall .quadrature. 43. Second Friction Stop
.quadrature. 44. Inner Wall .quadrature. 45. .quadrature. 46. Void
.quadrature. 47. .quadrature. 48. Channel 49a. First Opening 49b.
Second Opening .quadrature. 50. Bottom Covering .quadrature. 51.
.quadrature. 52. Bottom .quadrature. 53. .quadrature. 54. Top
.quadrature. 55. .quadrature. 56. .quadrature. 57. .quadrature. 58.
.quadrature. 59. .quadrature. 60. Upper Side Covering .quadrature.
61. .quadrature. 62. Base Side Coverings .quadrature. 63.
.quadrature. 64. Top Side Covering .quadrature. 65. .quadrature.
66. .quadrature. 67. .quadrature. 68. .quadrature. 69. .quadrature.
70. .quadrature. 71. .quadrature. 72. .quadrature. 73. .quadrature.
74. .quadrature. 75. .quadrature. 76. .quadrature. 77. .quadrature.
78. .quadrature. 79.
* * * * *