U.S. patent application number 11/349614 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for trash bag holder.
Invention is credited to Marc S. Herlands.
Application Number | 20070181753 11/349614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38333071 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070181753 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herlands; Marc S. |
August 9, 2007 |
Trash bag holder
Abstract
A trash bag holder is described for suspending a plastic trash
bag, especially drawstring-type trash bags, and holding open the
top for filling, without utilizing a rigid container.
Inventors: |
Herlands; Marc S.;
(Encinitas, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Wesley B. Ames;Ames IP Law
7031 Los Vientos Serenos
Escondido
CA
92029
US
|
Family ID: |
38333071 |
Appl. No.: |
11/349614 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 67/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/99 |
International
Class: |
B65B 67/04 20060101
B65B067/04 |
Claims
1. A trash bag holder, comprising an opening frame describing an
arc of at least 165 degrees comprising two hooks, pegs, or clips at
a height and spacing corresponding to the upper band of a selected
drawstring plastic trash bag; and an opening extender that
maintains a separation at the opening of said trash bag when the
exposed drawstring is hooked on said hooks.
2. The trash bag holder of claim 1, further comprising a vertical
support and a horizontal base, wherein said vertical support is
attached to said opening frame and said base.
3. The trash bag holder of claim 2, wherein at least one of the
attachment connections between said vertical support and said
horizontal base and said opening frame are hinged connections.
4. The trash bag holder of claim 1, wherein said opening extender
comprises at least two spring clips that attach to the top of said
drawstring trash bag.
5. The trash bag holder of claim 1, wherein said opening frame is
constructed of metal.
6. The trash bag holder of claim 1, wherein said opening frame is
constructed of plastic.
7. The trash bag holder of claim 1, wherein said hooks, pegs, or
clips are configured to hold the drawstring of a drawstring closure
trash bag.
8. The trash bag holder of claim 1, wherein said opening extender
comprises a hinged wire frame extending outwardly from said frame
when in a lowered position.
9. The trash bag holder of claim 1, wherein said holder comprises a
clamp that fastens to a vertical furniture member edge.
10. The trash bag holder of claim 9, wherein said clamp is a spring
clamp.
11. The trash bag holder of claim 9, wherein said clamp is a screw
clamp.
12. The trash bag holder of claim 1, wherein said holder comprises
at least one suction cup that adheres to a smooth vertical
surface.
13. A trash bag holder, comprising an opening frame comprising at
least two bag attachment points at a height and spacing
corresponding to the upper edge of a selected plastic trash bag; an
opening extender that maintains a separation at the opening of said
trash bag when the trash bag is attached to said attachment points;
and a mount that attaches said holder to an article of office
furniture at an elevated position.
14. The trash bag holder of claim 13, wherein said mount comprises
a clamp.
15. The trash bag holder of claim 14, wherein said clamp is a
spring clamp.
16. The trash bag holder of claim 14, wherein said clamp is a screw
clamp.
17. The trash bag holder of claim 13, wherein said mount comprises
at least one suction cup or vacuum cup.
18. The trash bag holder of claim 13, wherein said holder lacks a
vertical support.
19. A trash bag holder, comprising two mounts; an opening extender
connected with and projecting from said mounts and angled such that
when normally mounted said opening extender forms an angle of 45 to
135 degrees from the vertical; and at least two bag holder hooks,
pegs, or clips attached proximate to said mounts.
20. The trash bag holder of claim 19, further comprising a spacer
bar between said mounts.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] NOT APPLICABLE.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to devices for holding plastic
trash bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The following discussion is provided solely to assist the
understanding of the reader, and does not constitute an admission
that any of the information discussed or references cited
constitute prior art to the present invention.
[0004] A variety of different trash bag holders have been described
that are designed to hold plastic trash bags for filling.
[0005] For example, Martinez, U.S. Design Patent D269,214 shows an
invertible trash bag holder that has a wire frame with three
outwardly directed curved ribs.
[0006] Prader, U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,111 describes a wire holder for
open mouth plastic bags having integral loop handles that have tabs
integrally formed from the top wire pieces and extending downwardly
to suspend the bags in an open position. "Base, longitudinal,
vertical and top wire pieces form a substantially rectangular wire
frame that can be collapsed into a flat condition prior to use and
which can be easily assembled into a holder having good stability
during use."
[0007] Kitchens, U.S. Design Patent D510,166 shows a trash bag
holder that includes hooks on triangular frame pieces that are
joined with horizontal connector rods.
[0008] Ferreira et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,985 describes a "trash
bag holder which moves from a generally planar collapsed storage
position automatically to an open use position in which it can be
used to support a flexible wall container such as a plastic trash
bag."
[0009] Kent, U.S. Design Patent D418,653 shows a wire frame trash
bag holder that has corner loops that hold a bag and provides a
rectangular opening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention concerns advantageous bag holders
(e.g., trash bag holders) that can hold selected bags (e.g.,
plastic, paper, or other material) in an open configuration while
requiring minimal floor space and bulk. Such holders are, for
example, useful in a small office and kitchen environments to
reduce the floor space requirements and otherwise reduce the number
of bulky objects required around a worker's desk or other
workspace. In some cases, the present trash bag holders are
particularly adapted for use with "drawstring" trash bags.
[0011] Thus, in a first aspect, the invention provides a trash bag
holder that includes an opening frame that has two hooks or pegs at
a height and spacing corresponding to the upper band of a selected
drawstring plastic trash bag, and, in some cases, an opening
extender that maintains a separation at the opening of the trash
bag when the exposed drawstring is hooked on the hooks. The
placement of the hooks is selected to correspond to the relative
positions of the exposed drawstring portion on opposite sides of
the bag opening rim. In order to position the hooks appropriately
to hook the exposed portions of the drawstring, the frame can
advantageously describe an arc of at least 165 degrees, more often
about 180 degrees. In many cases, the hooks will be in the same
horizontal plane, but may be positioned at an incline such that the
opening of an attached bag will be inclined.
[0012] In particular embodiments, the opening frame or the opening
of a trash bag mounted on the opening frame is shaped as a circular
curve, an ovoid curve, a rectangle, or a square. In certain
embodiments, the opening frame is constructed principally or wholly
of metal, plastic, wood, a wood with resin combination, or a
combination of such components, e.g., metal and plastic, wood and
plastic, wood and metal, wood with resin and metal, wood with resin
and plastic.
[0013] An opening extender may operate to maintain an opening
generally perpendicular to the line between the drawstring hooks.
An opening extender can be fixed or moveable, e.g., hinged. For
example, the extender can be a fixed or hinged semi-circular,
semi-ovoid, two-sided, or three-sided section which will retain the
lip of the trash bag opening, e.g., by tension or in a clip. An
opening extender may hold the opening generally horizontally, or
may hold one edge lower so that the opening is inclined.
[0014] In certain embodiments, the trash bag holder also includes a
vertical support and a horizontal base, wherein said vertical
support is attached to both the opening frame and the base; the
attachment between the opening frame and the vertical support is
fixed or hinged; the attachment between the opening frame and the
based is fixed or hinged; the attachments of the vertical support
with the opening frame and the base are fixed or hinged; the
opening extender comprises at least two spring clips that attach to
the top of the drawstring trash bag; the opening frame is
constructed of metal; the opening frame is constructed of plastic;
the opening frame is constructed of wood or wood products; the
opening frame is constructed of a combination of materials, such as
metal and plastic, metal and wood, metal and wood products, plastic
and wood, and plastic and wood products; the hooks are configured
to hold the drawstring of a drawstring closure trash bag; the
opening extender includes a hinged wire frame extending outwardly
from said frame when in a lowered position.
[0015] In certain embodiments, the holder includes a clamp that
fastens to a vertical or horizontal furniture member edge; the
clamp is a spring clamp; the clamp is a screw clamp; the holder
includes at least one suction cup that adheres to a smooth vertical
surface.
[0016] In another related aspect, the invention concerns a trash
bag holder that includes at least two bag attachment points (bag
edge retainers) at a height and spacing corresponding to the upper
edge of a selected plastic trash bag, optionally an opening
extender that maintains a separation at the opening of the trash
bag when the trash bag is attached to the attachment points, and a
mount which attaches the holder to an article of office furniture
at an elevated position. In many cases, the holder includes an
opening frame to which the bag retainers are attached or form a
part.
[0017] In particular embodiments, the mount includes a clamp, e.g.,
a spring clamp or a screw clamp; the mount includes at least one
suction cup; the opening frame is constructed as described for the
above aspects or otherwise described herein. In certain
embodiments, the holder includes a swivel or pivot point in a
vertical plane (for normal mounting) or in two generally
perpendicular vertical planes. Such swivels or pivot points allow
the holder to be adjusted for differing orientations of mounting
surfaces or edges.
[0018] In certain embodiments, the opening frame and mount(s) are
configured such that the trash bag opening is generally straight or
flat against a mounting surface or other mounting point. In
particular embodiments this is provided by using two hooks, pegs,
clips, or other bag edge retainers that define a straight line
between them, spaced such that an installed bag essentially follows
that straight line between the bag retainers on one side but has
extra edge length or slack on the other side such that an opening
for insertion of trash or other materials is provided. The opening
can be created merely by the bag gaping open or can be created and
maintained using an opening frame and/or opening extender. The
straight line and the separation of the retainers can be
established by independent placement of separate mounts (e.g.,
separate suction or vacuum cups) with attached bag retainers, or by
having a spacing bar as part of the opening frame, i.e., a
generally straight opening frame member that defines the straight
portion of the opening. When a spacing bar is used, it may
essentially constitue the opening frame, or may have additional
opening frame structure attached, e.g., arms or curved members that
assist in holding an installed bag open.
[0019] In another related aspect, the invention concerns a method
for utilizing a trash bag by hooking exposed drawstring sections on
a pair of hooks of a trash bag holder as described for the first
aspect above, or otherwise described herein.
[0020] Yet another aspect concerns a method for utilizing a
selected bag (e.g., a trash bag) by hooking or clipping a trash bag
on a trash bag holder as described for any of the bag holder
embodiments described herein, e.g., a holder than includes a
clamp-type or suction cup-type mount.
[0021] As used herein, a description of a bag holder or bag holder
component using any of the terms "hook", "peg", and "clips" shall
include description of like holders or components using each of the
other terms unless such inclusion is inconsistent or incompatible
with the holder being described.
[0022] Additional embodiments will be apparent from the Detailed
Description and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a trash bag holder for drawstring trash bags
that includes a base and vertical support.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a trash bag holder that uses clips to hold
trash bags and includes a base and vertical support.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a trash bag holder that uses a clamp or suction
cup to retain the holder in a desired position.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a trash bag holder that includes two suction
cup mounts and an opening extender that creates a generally
rectangular opening.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a trash bag holder as in FIG. 4,
except that the opening extender forms an angle of about 30 degrees
below the horizontal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The present bag holders (e.g., trash bag holders) are
advantageous for certain applications, including in small offices
where it is desirable to minimize the floor space dedicated to
items such as trash cans and other containers. In many cases, the
holders are configured to fit bags that have a 3-40 gallon
capacity, e.g., 3-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, or 30-40 gallon
capacity.
[0029] These trash bag holders can be configured in a number of
different ways.
Opening Frame
[0030] In order to hold a bag such as a trash bag in a generally
vertical orientation and to maintain an opening to insert objects
of trash or other material, the holders can include an opening
frame. Such an opening frame defines at least part of an opening
and includes hooks, pegs, or clips for holding the upper edge of a
trash bag. In many embodiments, the frame will be a curved shape,
e.g., a portion of a circle or ovoid shape, but may also have other
shapes, e.g. one side of an opening, or 2, 3, or 4 sides of a
square or rectangle, or two sides of a triangle.
[0031] The opening frame may be constructed of any of a variety of
materials that will provide relatively stiff members, e.g., metal
(e.g., stiff wire or stamped sheet metal), plastic (e.g., thermoset
or thermoplastic) which may be fiber reinforced or may be joined to
metal and/or wood or wood product sections, wood, and wood products
(e.g., plywood, wood fiber reinforced resin, and the like), and
combinations of such materials.
[0032] The clips are located and designed to hold the opening edge
of a selected trash bag (or other type of bag). In advantageous
embodiments, two clips are located at opposite sides relative to a
normally installed trash bag and are configured to hook or clip the
exposed portions of a drawstring trash bag. Advantageously, the
clips are configured to hold either drawstring bags or trash bags
without such drawstrings. For example, such clips can include
spring clips or pinch clips. The clips may be at the same or
different heights when the holder is placed for normal use.
However, the present holders can also be configured for holding
bags that do not have such drawstrings.
[0033] The clips may be located on either the inside or outside of
the opening frame, and may have the clip opening directed in any
desired direction, e.g., up or down.
[0034] In addition to the basic frame, in the case of opening
frames that describe only about 1/2 or less of an arc or one side
of an opening, the opening can advantageously be maintained using
an opening extender.
[0035] Alternatively, as described below, bag holders can be
provided that do not have an opening frame, but rather include a
mount (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 mounts) and an opening extender, and can
also include a spacer bar that fixes the distance between multiple
mounts.
Support
[0036] In some cases, the opening frame is attached to a floor
support or stand. Such stand includes a vertical support or
vertical support member and a base. The vertical support is
typically a relatively stiff material, e.g., as described for the
opening frame above. The support will often be essentially
vertically oriented, but may be angled or curved or may include
more than one member.
Mounts
[0037] Certain holders will include a mount. For holders that
include a vertical support, such a mount can stabilize the holder
against being tipped over. Alternatively, such a mount is useful in
the absence of a stand or support to retain the holder at an
elevated position. In most cases (but not necessarily), the
elevated position will be such that when the bag is attached to the
opening frame, the bottom of the bag will rest on the floor
surface. The mount is adapted for attaching to an edge of a piece
of office furniture, another exposed edge, or to a smooth
surface.
[0038] Examples of exposed edges include, for example, an edge of a
desk or table top; the front edge of a leg well panel of a desk; a
desk leg; and a table leg. Mounts for attaching to such edges can
suitably include clamps. Appropriate clamps should be sufficiently
strong to hold the opening frame, the trash bag, reasonable trash
contents, and any additional components of the holder.
[0039] Such a clamp can utilize a spring clamp that opens up
sufficiently to allow the mouth of the clamp to fit over usual legs
or edges available on office furniture, e.g., about 1-4 inches,
more often about 1-2 or 1-3 inches. Another type of clamp that can
be used is a screw clamp, e.g., with a size range as indicated for
a spring clamp. The connection between the clamp portion and the
remainder of the holder can be a swivel (or pair of swivels) or
ball joint, allowing the holder to be mounted to any orientation of
attachment point. For greater stability, two clamp points can be
used instead of just one.
[0040] Another type of mount that can advantageously be used is a
mount that uses at least one suction cup (placed by pushing the cup
against the wall) or vacuum cup (placed by creating a vacuum
between the cup and a mounting surface) (e.g., 1, 2, or 3) for
attachment to a surface. Such suction cups or vacuum cups are
readily available and used for a variety of applications.
Desirably, the suction cup or vacuum cup has sufficient holding
power to retain a trash bag holder and filled trash bag
consistently. Such mounts can be adhered to any smooth surface,
e.g., the side of a desk, file cabinet, wall, or other such
surface.
[0041] The present bag holders can be configured and/or installed
such that the opening of an installed bag is generally horizontal,
or may be angled. For. example, in a holder that includes a
vertical support, an opening frame and/or an opening extender can
be at an angle different from the horizontal (e.g., different from
perpendicular to a vertically oriented vertical support), e.g.,
5-45, 10-45, 15-30 degrees below the horizontal.
[0042] An exemplary trash bag holder that includes a vertical
support and a base is shown in FIG. 1. The holder 100 includes an
opening frame 110 that is shaped generally as a semicircular or
semi-ovoid structure, or other such curved shape. At the ends of
this structure are clips 112 that will hook the exposed drawstring
portions of a drawstring-type trash bag or the handle of a bag with
handles. Preferably the clips are also designed or supplemented in
a manner that will allow use of non-drawstring trash bags. For
example, the clips may have a tapering spacing between two portions
allowing either the drawstring or the top edge of a trash bag to be
compressively slid between them (a pinch clip), or for a drawstring
to be hooked under the clip. The opening frame is connected in its
middle with connection 116 to a vertical support member or section
120 that holds the frame in an elevated position. Usually the
support member will itself be vertically oriented, but can be
angled or curved so long as suitable balance is maintained. At its
lower end, the support member is attached via connection 132 to a
base that provides support and stability. Such base can be any of
various shapes, including circular, square, three legged, two
legged, and the like. In use, a suitably-sized trash bag is
suspended from the opening frame hooks. In order to maintain an
opening, it may be useful to include at least one additional
fastener for retaining a trash bag opening edge. For example, a
spring clip(s) 114 may be located along the opening frame (e.g.,
approximately at the connection between the opening frame and the
support member. Optionally an extender 118 is provided which will
hold the opposite side of the trash bag opening. The extender can
include a clip 114 or other structure that holds the bag edge. For
example, the extender can be a shape that mirrors the shape of the
opening frame. The extender can be continuous with the opening
frame, or can be an attached separate piece, e.g., attached with a
snap coupling or hinged. The connection between the support member
and the base can also be continuous (e.g., rigid) or join separate
pieces (e.g., snap coupling or hinged). Snap coupling or a hinged
connection allows the holder to be packed compactly and then
assembled into a functional unit when needed. For example, when
hinged connections are used, the opening frame and the base may
rotate behind the support member, providing a flat configuration.
Such flat configuration may also be achieved with separate
components that can be snapped or otherwise linked together by the
user to provide a holder sufficiently strong to hold the trash
bag.
[0043] Another exemplary trash bag holder is shown in FIG. 2. In
this embodiment, the holder 200 includes an opening frame 210 that
describes at least 1/2 of a circle, ovoid, rectangle, or other
closed shape e.g., 180-195, 195-210, 210-225, 225-240, 240-255,
255-270, or 270-360 around such shape. Along the opening frame are
at least 3 trash bag retainers 212, e.g., spring clips or pinch
clips. The opening holder is attached to a support member 220 which
is attached to a base 230 generally as described for the holder of
FIG. 1.
[0044] Another exemplary trash bag holder is described in FIG. 3
which does not include a vertical support and base, but instead
uses a clamp for locating and retaining the holder. As shown, the
holder 300 includes an opening frame 310 having bag retainers 312.
The opening frame can be as described for the holders of FIG. 1 or
FIG. 2. The bag retainers can, for example, be spring clips or
pinch clips. The opening frame is rotatably connected at connection
326 with a screw clamp 320 in which screw 322 will clamp on a
mounting edge in clamp throat 324. The rotatable connection 326 can
be fixed in a desired position, erg., with a set screw or cam
clamp.
[0045] Instead of a screw clamp and rotatable connection, the
holder may use a suction or vacuum cup for attachment to smooth
surfaces.
[0046] A related exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 which is
adapted for mounting to relatively smooth and flat vertical
surface. In this embodiment, the holder 400 includes an opening
extender 410, attached to two suction or vacuum cups 412 and 414
respectively. Two hooks or clips 416 and 418 are mounted at or near
the attachment of the opening extender Optionally there can be a
spacing bar 420 (shown in dashed lines) between the suction cups
that fixes the distance between the cups; when present the opening
extender may attach to the spacing bar or the suction cups, and/or
hooks or clips may be attached to the bar in addition to or instead
of the hooks or clips mounted at or near the attachment points of
the opening extender with the suction or vacuum cups. The opening
extender can be a number of different shapes, including, for
example, one or two straight or curved bars, two straight or curved
bars joined at an apex, three bars joined to form three sides of a
quadrilateral, three bars joined to form three sides of
quadrilateral where the bars projecting from the suction cups are
different lengths. In similar embodiments, one or both suction cups
are replaced with clamps.
[0047] Another embodiment is illustrated in side view in FIG. 5.
The holder of FIG. 5 is constructed in the manner of the holder of
FIG. 4, except that the opening extender is angled down from the
horizontal. Thus, the holder 500 includes the opening extender 510
attached to suction cup 512 (second suction cup not visible) which
is attached to wall 513. On the opening extender are clips 516 and
518.
[0048] While the present invention is presented with emphasis on
holders for trash bags, these holders may be applied for other uses
where bag holders are useful, e.g., as laundry bags, recycling
bags, and the like. For such other applications, it can be
beneficial to use more durable bags that the thin film bags
normally used for trash bags. The more durable bags may be
constructed in various ways, e.g., using heavier and/or multi-layer
plastic film or sheeting, incorporating strengthening fibers or
lines in the plastic, and using cloth or canvas construction.
[0049] All patents and other references cited in the specification
are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to
which the invention pertains, and are incorporated by reference in
their entireties, including any tables and figures, to the same
extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in
its entirety individually.
[0050] One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to obtain the ends and advantages
mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The methods,
variances, and compositions described herein as presently
representative of preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not
intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes
therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art,
which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention, are
defined by the scope of the claims.
[0051] It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that
varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the
invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. For example, variations can be made to the
construction materials and the type of attachment used to retain
the trash bag. Thus, such additional embodiments are within the
scope of the present invention and the following claims.
[0052] The invention illustratively described herein suitably may
be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation
or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus,
for example, in each instance herein any of the terms "comprising",
"consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" may be replaced
with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which
have been employed are used as terms of description and not of
limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms
and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown
and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that
various modifications are possible within the scope of the
invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the
present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred
embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of
the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled
in the art, and that such modifications and variations are
considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by
the appended claims.
[0053] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are
described in terms of Markush groups or other grouping of
alternatives, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual
member or subgroup of members of the Markush group or other
group.
[0054] Also, unless indicated to the contrary, where various
numerical values or value range endpoints are provided for
embodiments, additional embodiments are described by taking any 2
different values as the endpoints of a range or by taking two
different range endpoints from specified ranges as the endpoints of
an additional range. Such ranges are also within the scope of the
described invention.
[0055] Thus, additional embodiments are within the scope of the
invention and within the following claims.
* * * * *