U.S. patent application number 13/507398 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-10 for support structure for and method of using plastic bags.
Invention is credited to Allen Moses.
Application Number | 20130009022 13/507398 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47438042 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130009022 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moses; Allen |
January 10, 2013 |
Support structure for and method of using plastic Bags
Abstract
A collapsible support frame has a top opening and open sides to
allow a plastic bag to be received through the top opening.
Anchoring members protrude outwardly from the frame to engage the
top of the open bag after it is folded over the frame. The
anchoring members are dimensioned to at least partially stretch the
folded-over portion of the bag to insure that the bag remains
secured to the frame even when the bag is weighed down with
materials placed in the bag, such as trash, recyclables, etc. After
the bag is full and is to be removed from the frame the folded over
portion is manually urged over the anchoring members to separate
the bag from the frame. While the bag is held in the frame the
exterior surfaces of the bag are visible and preferably bear
messages, advertisements, etc.
Inventors: |
Moses; Allen; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
Family ID: |
47438042 |
Appl. No.: |
13/507398 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61571800 |
Jul 6, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/97 ;
53/492 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 67/1238 20130101;
B65F 2001/061 20130101; B65B 67/1205 20130101; B65F 1/1415
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/97 ;
53/492 |
International
Class: |
B65B 67/12 20060101
B65B067/12; B65B 43/26 20060101 B65B043/26; A47G 29/00 20060101
A47G029/00 |
Claims
1. A support structure for supporting a thin walled stretchable
plastic bag generally defining and axis and an open end, the
support structure comprising a frame generally defining an interior
volume or space and an upper frame opening arranged in a generally
horizontal plane when the support structure is supported on a
horizontal surface, said upper frame opening defining a perimeter P
substantially corresponding to a perimeter p of an opening of a
plastic bag to be supported, and protuberance means on said frame
proximate to said frame opening, said protuberance means being
arranged and dimensioned to engage and retain an open end of a bag
placed within said interior volume with said open end stretched and
pulled over said protuberance means.
2. A support structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame is
formed of a plurality of frame members linked to each other and
collapsible for storage.
3. A support structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame
member is a non-collapsible bin.
4. A support structure as defined in claim 1, wherein perimeters p
of plastic bags for use with a bin of perimeter P is selected to be
within the range 0.95P<p.ltoreq.P.
5. A support structure as defined in claim 4, wherein
p.about.0.975P
6. A support structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said
protuberance means comprises at least one protuberance that
projects in a direction away from said upper frame opening to
effectively increase the perimeter P.
7. A support structure as defined in claim 6, wherein a plurality
of protuberances are provided distributed about said upper frame
opening.
8. A support structure as defined in claim 7, wherein said upper
frame opening is generally rectangular and one protuberance is
provided at each corner of said frame opening.
9. A support structure as defined in claim 6, wherein said
protuberances have rounded ends to prevent said protuberances from
puncturing the plastic bag when stretched over said
protuberances.
10. A support structure as defined in claim 6, wherein said
protuberances have a dimension extending beyond said upper frame
opening that is at least P.
11. A support structure as defined in claim 6, wherein said
protuberances are arranged about said upper frame opening to
generally be aligned with pockets or recesses to each side of
handles of plastic bags.
12. In combination of a thin walled stretchable plastic bag and a
support structure for supporting said thin walled stretchable
plastic bag, said bag generally defining and axis and an open end,
said support structure comprising a frame generally defining an
interior volume or space and an upper frame opening arranged in a
generally horizontal plane when the support structure is supported
on a horizontal surface, said upper frame opening defining a
perimeter P substantially corresponding to a perimeter p of an
opening of a plastic bag to be supported, and protuberance means on
said frame proximate to said frame opening, said protuberance means
being arranged and dimensioned to engage and retain an open end of
a bag placed within said interior volume with said open end
stretched and pulled over said protuberance means.
13. A support structure as defined in claim 6, wherein said bag
comprises a T-shirt type bag.
14. A support structure as defined in claim 6, wherein P is equal
to approximately 41'' and said bag has a perimeter within the range
of 39-41''.
15. A support structure as defined in claim 6, wherein P is equal
to approximately 41'' and said bag has a perimeter p=40''.
16. A support structure as defined in claim 12, wherein perimeters
p of plastic bags for use with a bin of perimeter P is selected to
be within the range 0. 95P<p.ltoreq.P.
17. A support structure as defined in claim 16, wherein
p.about.0.975P.
18. A method for securing a thin walled stretchable plastic bag
generally defining and axis and an open end to a support structure
comprising the steps of providing a support structure comprising a
frame generally defining an interior volume or space and an upper
frame opening arranged in a generally horizontal plane when the
support structure is supported on a horizontal surface, said upper
frame opening defining a perimeter P substantially corresponding to
a perimeter p of an opening of a plastic bag to be supported, and
protuberance means on said frame proximate to said frame opening,
said protuberance means being arranged and dimensioned to engage
and retain an open end of a bag placed within said interior volume
with said open end; stretching the open end of the bag to enlarge
the perimeter of the open end beyond the value p; pulling said
stretched bag open end over said protuberance means; and releasing
the bag open end to restore the perimeter of the bag open end to
bring at least portions of the bag into interference engagement
with said protuberance means to secure the bag open end to said
upper frame opening.
19. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein a plurality of
protuberances are provided distributed about said upper frame
opening and the stretched bag open end is pulled over and engaged
with each of said protuberances.
20. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein perimeters p of
plastic bags for use with a bin of perimeter P is selected to be
within the range
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/571,800 filed on Jul. 6, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention generally relates to a system for and method
of recycling and re-using plastic bags and, more specifically, to a
support structure for and method of re-using supermarket-type
plastic bags as trash or garbage bags.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Plastic shopping bags are among the most widely used
consumer items on Earth. Their light weight, low cost, and water
resistance make them convenient for carrying groceries, clothing,
and other routine purchases. Weighing just a few grams and
averaging a few millimeters in thickness, plastic bags might seem
thoroughly innocuous--were it not for the sheer number produced.
Factories around the world churned out 4-5 trillion of them in
2002, ranging from large trash bags to thick shopping totes to
flimsy grocery sacks.
[0006] Compared with paper bags, producing plastic ones uses less
energy and water and generates less air pollution and solid waste.
Plastic bags also take up less space in a landfill. But many of
these bags never make it to landfills; instead, they go airborne
after they are discarded--getting caught in fences, trees, and
clogging gutters, sewers, and waterways.
[0007] The first plastic "baggies" for bread, sandwiches, fruits,
and vegetables were introduced in the United States in 1957.
Plastic trash bags started appearing in homes and along curbsides
around the world by the late 1960s. North America and Western
Europe account for nearly 80 percent of plastic bag use--though the
bags are increasingly common in developing countries as well. Each
year, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic
bags. (Only 0.6 percent of plastic bags are recycled.) In January
2002, the South African government required manufacturers to make
plastic bags more durable and more expensive to discourage their
disposal--prompting a 90-percent reduction in use. Ireland
instituted a charge-per-bag tax in March 2002, which led to a
95-percent reduction in use. In the early 1990s, citizens groups
led a successful campaign to ban plastic bags. Australia, Canada,
New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom also
have plans to ban or tax plastic bags.
[0008] Supermarkets around the world are voluntarily encouraging
shoppers to forgo plastic bags--or to bring their own bags--by
offering a small per-bag refund or charging extra for plastic.
[0009] Some manufacturers have introduced biodegradable or
compostable plastic bags made from starches, polymers or
poly-lactic acid, and no polyethylene--though these remain
prohibitively expensive and account for less than 1 percent of the
market.
[0010] The organizers of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney,
Australia, were able to collect 76 percent of the food waste
generated at the sports venues and athletes' village by using
biodegradable utensils and plastic bags that composted as easily as
the food and eliminated the need to separate the plastic.
[0011] The problems associated with plastic bags continue to be
overwhelming. Because plastic bags are perceived as being very low
lost and disposable little serious thought has been given to
reusing plastic bags to decrease the overall utilization of such
bags.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to eliminate
some of the problems associated with plastic bags.
[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a plastic
shopping bag support frame designed to at least double the
utilization of plastic shopping bags that can initially be used by
retail establishments for packing or bagging products, such as
groceries, and subsequently be reused by consumers to dispose of or
recycle trash or garbage in lieu of using conventional or
traditional single-use garbage and recycling bags to dispose
trash.
[0014] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
plastic bag support frame as in the previous object that is simple
in construction and economical to manufacture.
[0015] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
plastic bag support frame of the type under discussion that exposes
imprinted indicia, such as company logos and advertising, on the
outside surface of plastic bags to subsidize the cost of the bag
supports frame and/or associated specific size bags to be used with
the bag support frame.
[0016] Is a further object of the invention to provide a plastic
bag support frame as in the previous objects that is collapsible
when shipped and stored.
[0017] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
plastic bag support frame of the type under discussion that is
simple and convenient to use.
[0018] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a
plastic bag support frame as in the previous objects that promotes
multiple uses of plastic-type shopping bags used by retail
establishments for packing or bagging products.
[0019] It is an additional object of the invention to provide a
plastic bag support frame that promotes the ecology by enabling
multiple uses of plastic bags by subsidizing the plastic bags and
support frame at least partially by advertising revenues.
[0020] In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others
that will become evident hereinafter, the present invention relates
to a support structure for recycling by re-using plastic bags of
the type frequently used in supermarkets for packing or "bagging"
groceries and other items sold in supermarkets, and a method for
using the support structure. The support structure is intended to
be used for supporting a plastic bag generally defining a bag axis
and open end. The support structure includes a frame that generally
defines an interior volume or space and an upper frame opening
arranged in a generally horizontal plane when the support structure
is supported on a horizontal surface. The upper frame opening
defines a perimeter "P" substantially corresponding to a perimeter
"p" of a bag to be supported within the interior volume or space of
the support frame. Protuberance means is provided on said frame
proximate said upper frame opening, said protuberance means being
dimensioned to engage and retain an open end of a bag within said
support frame with said open end of the bag stretched and pulled
over said protuberance means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention will be better understood and objects other
than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration
is given to the following detailed description thereof with
reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic bag support frame
for supporting a plastic bag and exposing imprinted indicia on
outside surface of the plastic bag in accordance with the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a fragmented side elevational view of a leg frame
member on one side of the plastic bag support frame shown in FIG.
1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a fragmented right end elevational view of the leg
frame member shown in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a fragmented left end elevational view of the leg
frame member shown in FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a fragmented side elevational view of a leg frame
member on the other or opposing side of the plastic bag support
frame shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 6 is fragmented a right end elevational view of the leg
frame member shown in FIG. 5;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a fragmented left end elevational fragmented view
of the leg frame member shown in FIG. 5;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the leg frame member shown in
FIG. 5;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the leg frame member shown
in FIG. 5;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the leg frame member
shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a left end elevational view of the leg frame
member shown in FIG. 5;
[0033] FIGS. 11a-11c are cross-sectional views of the leg frame
member shown in FIG. 11 respectively taken along lines G-G, H-H and
I-I;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a front side elevational view of an interior
surface of a connecting member of the bag support frame of FIG.
1;
[0035] FIG. 12a is a cross sectional view taken along line F-F in
FIG. 12;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a rear side elevational view of an exterior
surface of the connecting member of FIG. 12;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing
the bag support frame in the process of being collapsed or
expanded;
[0038] FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 1 but with the leg frame members
in the fully expanded position and supporting a plastic bag the
exterior surface of which bears indicia printed thereon that is
exposed through the bag support frame;
[0039] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention in the form of a non-collapsible bin or basket;
[0040] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the bin or basket shown in
FIG. 16; and
[0041] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a corner of the bin or
basket shown in FIG. 17 taken along line 18-18.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0042] Referring now more specifically to the Figures, in which
identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference
numerals throughout, and first referring to FIG. 1a plastic bag
support frame for supporting a plastic bag and exposing imprinted
indicia on an outside surface of the bag is generally designated by
the reference numeral 10.
[0043] The support frame 10 is substantially formed of four
components or elements the first of which is a leg frame member 12.
Another leg frame member 14 is spaced from the leg frame member 12,
both leg frame members defining generally vertical parallel planes
when the bag support frame 10 is in its fully expanded position as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0044] Generally parallel connecting members 16, 18 are arranged in
a common horizontal plane "P" (FIG. 1) during use of the device
when the frame is in its upright or expanded position suitable for
receiving a plastic bag. The leg frame members and connecting
members are pivotally connected to each other, as will be more
fully explained.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the leg frame member 12 is formed
of two spaced parallel vertical legs 12a, 12b bridged by a
cross-member 12c rendering the leg frame member 12 suitably rigid
and preferably of unitary construction. Similarly, the leg frame
member 14 is formed of two spaced parallel vertical legs 14a, 14b
that are connected to each other by means of an integrally formed
cross-member 14c. The leg frame members 12, 14 are preferably
identical in construction to facilitate manufacturing, assembly,
shipping and storage.
[0046] The legs 12a, 14b have offsets 14h (FIGS. 2, 5 and 10) so
that the associated legs 12b and 14a are capable of collapsing into
a plane substantially coextensive or proximate to the plane P
extending across the top of the bag frame 10 in the fully expanded
position, as shown in FIG. 1. The top of the bag frame 10 is formed
of the connecting members 12c, 14c, 16 and 18 that together form a
generally horizontal support frame 20. The offsets 12h, 14h
inwardly offset the legs 12a and 14b to accommodate the respective
legs 14a and 12b when the frame leg frame members 12, 14 are
collapsed inwardly, as suggested in FIG. 14, into the common plane
P (FIG. 1). By placing the offsets 12h, 14h on diagonally opposite
corners the bag frame, the leg frame members 12, 14 can be
identical in construction thus reducing manufacturing costs and
facilitating assembly.
[0047] Since the leg frame members 12, 14 have identical
constructions only one leg frame member 14 will be described, it
being clear that the same structural features described for leg
frame member 14 will apply equally to leg frame member 12. Thus,
referring to FIGS. 5-11c the leg frame member 14 includes
integrally formed legs 14a, 14b and cross-member 14c. Leg 14b is
inwardly offset by means of offset 14h to accommodate leg 12b as
described above. The leg frame members 12, 14 can be formed of any
material, such as die-cut sheet metal or molded plastic. In either
case, the thickness of the walls can be as low as 1/16''. To
strengthen the members and render them more rigid they are
preferably provided with angled wall portions (or other known
stiffening devices such as ribs) 14d on the legs 14a, 14b all of
which extend inwardly in the direction of the opposing leg frame
member 12. These additional wall portions serve to strengthen the
parts to make them more rigid.
[0048] Each of the legs 14a, 14b is provided with holes 14f for
securing the leg frame members to the connecting members 16, 18 and
with openings or holes 14g that form part of a detent locking
mechanism for locking the legs in the fully open conditions shown
in FIG. 1.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 the details of the connecting
member 16 is shown, the same description applying equally to the
connecting member 18. Again, to reduce manufacturing costs, the
connecting members 16, 18 are preferably identical. The connecting
member 16 is provided with an inwardly directed wall portion 16f to
render the part stronger and more rigid as described in connection
with the leg frame members 12, 14. The length "L" (FIG. 15) of the
connecting members 16, 18 can be selected to be any desired length.
However, in the embodiment described the length L is equal to 14''.
Likewise, the length of the cross-members 12c, 14c can be any
desired length but in the embodiment described the dimension is
selected to be 8''.
[0050] An important feature of the invention is that the connecting
members 16, 18 are provided with extensions or protuberances 16a,
16b and 18a, 18b, respectively. These extensions include generally
downwardly directed edges 16c that extend a predetermined distance
beyond the length L of the connecting members, such extensions "s"
project approximately 0.6'' from the outer edge T of the rim and
extend inwardly at 16f to a position 16f that substantially passes
through the ends of the flat portions of the connecting members. In
this way, the distances between the innermost edges of the inwardly
directed portions 16f are all so spaced from each other a distance
approximately equal to L. The inwardly directed portions 16f serve
as gripping portions for a plastic bag inserted within the bag
frame member as will be more fully described in connection with
FIG. 15. The specific nature of the bag gripping portions is not
critical and any protuberances extending beyond the perimeter p of
the horizontal support frame or other gripping mechanisms may be
used with different degrees of advantage. Although the extensions
or protuberances project approximately 0.6'' outwardly from the rim
T of the upper opening the dimension "s" can be within the range of
0.25''-0.75''. Reducing "s" below this range may compromise the
holding power on the bag while increasing it above this range can
damage or puncture the bag. The optimum dimension will also be a
function of the thickness and stretchability of the material from
which the bag is made.
[0051] The connecting members 16, 18 are provided with holes 16d at
opposite ends dimensioned and arranged to cooperate with holes 12f,
14f on the legs frame members and the holes are aligned with each
other so that any suitable fastener, such as a rivet, screw and
bolt, etc. can extend through the holes and serve as pivot points
about which the leg frame members can pivot relative to the
stationary connecting members 16, 18.
[0052] The connecting members 16, 18 are also provided with
inwardly directed indentations 16e, 18e that serve as detents that
can be resiliently and selectively received or removed from the
holes 12g, 14g in the associated legs frame members. Thus, when the
leg frame members are moved to the open operative positions as
shown in FIG. 1 the indentations 16e, 18e are received and snap
into the associated holes 12g, 14g to maintain the leg frame
members in the open or expanded position as shown in FIG. 1.
However, when it is desired to collapse the unit manual rotation of
the leg frame members 12, 14 inwardly, as suggested in FIG. 14,
withdraws the indentations 16e, 18e from the associated holes 12g,
14g in the legs frame members due to temporary deformations or
movements of the relative members to overcome the interference fits
when the retaining forces are manually overcome by forcibly
pivoting the leg frame members relative to the connecting members.
The indentations 16e, 18e can also be replaced by spring loaded or
biased bearings as is well known to those skilled in the art, or
any other detent arrangements can be used to maintain the leg frame
members in the open positions shown in FIG. 1 until urged by a user
by application of a manual force sufficient to overcome the biasing
forces of the detent mechanisms used.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 15, the lower ends of the legs define a
base and a support plane coextensive with the surface on which the
bag frame 10 is supported. This support plane is generally a
horizontal plane, such as a floor of a living enclosure. The
cross-members 12c, 14c and the connecting members 16, 18 also
define an opening in the plane P that is spaced from and
substantially parallel to the support plane at the base. In the
embodiment described, the upper plane P of the opening is likewise
arranged in a horizontal plane. The lengths 1 of the connecting
members in the widths w of the cross-members together define a
perimeter p=2L+2w.
[0054] The height "H" the bag frame member is not critical and any
desired height may be used. In the embodiment described, the height
H is 14''. A feature of the invention is that the plastic bag 30
defines a perimeter "p'" that is substantially equal to the
perimeter p of the opening of the bag frame and has a height "H"
extending from the opening of the bag to the bottom of the bag that
can be equal to, less than or greater than the height H. The
exterior surface of the bag is preferably imprinted with a logo or
advertising 40 so that when the bag 30 is inserted into the bag
frame as shown on FIG. 15 the logo and/or the advertisement 40 will
be exposed and visible.
[0055] In use, the bag frame 10 is initially shipped and provided
to a consumer in a collapsed state with the leg frame members fully
inwardly pivoted. When the bag frame is ready to be used the leg
frame members 12, 14 are pivoted about rivets 24 or other
fasteners, to the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 15. At this point,
the detent mechanism 12g, 14g and 16e, 18e snap the components
together and the frame members remain in the open or expanded
position. A plastic bag 30, a bag commonly referred to as a
"T-Shirt Bag" is the best style of bag to use, and it can now be
inserted through the opening at the top of the bag support frame
member until the bottom of the bag reaches the floor or other
support surface. The opening of the bag is then folded over each of
the upper edges of the bag frame a distance .DELTA.h (FIG. 15) to
cover the cross-members 12c, 14c and connecting members 16,18, the
four elongate members 12c, 14c, 16 and 18 together forming a
substantially horizontal support frame 20. However, importantly,
when the opening of the bag is folded over the support frame 20 the
bag 30 is preferably at least partially stretched over the
outwardly projecting extensions or protuberances 16a, 18a, 16b,
18b. Due to the elasticity of the plastic bags the stretched
portions of the bag tends to revert to their initial unstretched
state and so the opening of the bag, once stretched, closes in on
and attaches to the lower portion of the protuberances located at
16f', 18f'. Such stretching of the bag and engagement with the
protuberances 16a, 18a, 16b, 18b. ensures that the top or opening
of the bag remains engaged with the bag frame and does not
inadvertently disengage from the bag frame to collapse and fall
through the opening but remains in the position shown on FIG. 15 to
facilitate the use of the bag for depositing trash. Once the bag 30
is full the upper part of the bag that had been stretched over the
protuberances 16a, 18a, 16b, 18b then the engaged part of the bag
is again stretched and forcibly pulled over the upper support frame
20 so that the bag may be removed from the bag support frame
10.
[0056] As mentioned above T-shirt bags are best suited for use for
stretching the bags over the protuberances 16a, 18a, 16b, 18b.
T-Shirt bags are called "T-Shirt" because they look like a
sleeveless T-Shirts. T-Shirt bags are plastic shopping bags that
have handles extending from the body of the bags and are the most
commonly used plastic supermarket bags. T-Shirt bags are best
suited for use because during the manufacture of these bags they
are die cut to form handles for the bags. When placing these bags
over the top frame virtually all T-Shirt bags form relatively loose
pockets of material that are located where the bag's handles attach
to the bag. These loose pockets of material then line up with the
protuberances 16a, 18a, 16b, 18b. When mounting a T-Shirt bag, the
opening of the bag is stretched over these protuberances 16a, 18a,
16b, 18b, while the protuberances themselves comfortably project
into the above mentioned loose pockets of material located on the
T-Shirt bag. Because the opening of the bag is stretched over the
protuberances, the opening of the bag then catches onto the bottom
part of the protuberances located at 16f', thus securely anchoring
the bag into position, until the opening of the bag is once again
stretched over the protuberances and taken off the frame. Also,
most T-Shirt bags distributed in supermarkets and stores come in
standard sizes where the opening of the bag is of a specific
perimeter dimension. This means that the size and spacing of the
horizontal support frame 20 and the protuberances 16a, 18a, 16b,
18b can be specifically designed for the most commonly used sizes
of T-Shirt bags.
[0057] The bags 30 are preferably dimensioned to be frame specific.
Thus, if the bottoms of the bags are to rest or contact the floor
or support surface the height of the bag needs to be
h'.apprxeq.(H+.DELTA.h). However, as should be clear, if
h'>H+.DELTA.h more of the bag can be rolled over the horizontal
support frame 20 and when h'<H+.DELTA.h the bottom of the bag
may not reach the floor or support surface but remain suspended to
hang on the bag support frame during use.
[0058] It will be evident that the bag frame 10 in accordance with
the present invention is extremely simple construction and
economical to manufacture. However, another embodiment is shown in
FIGS. 16-18 where the invention is incorporated into a more
conventional looking, non-collapsible container or bin 10'. The bin
10' may be made of metal, plastic or hard rubber or any other rigid
material. Bins of this type are typically tapered so that they can
be stacked during storage or shipment the specific shape of the bin
for purposes of the invention is not critical and is shown to have
an upper opening with a length "L" and a width "w", and a height
"H". While the perimeter at the upper opening is approximately
P=2L+2w the actual perimeter is somewhat less because of the
rounded or curved corners "c". In one example of a typical bin, the
bin opening is about 13.times.9.2 inches, but its perimeter is not
44.4 inches because of the rounded corners c. While generally
rectangular its shape also somewhat resembles an oval that is 13
inches long by 9.2 inches wide. Actual measurement of the perimeter
P indicated that the perimeter P of the bin was approximately 41
inches instead of the 44.4 inches had the corners c not been
rounded out--an almost 8% reduction in the perimeter. Measurements
of the perimeters "p" of the opening of typical "supermarket" type
plastic bags of "best fit" bags indicated the range of perimeters
"p" of the plastic bags from loose bags to tight bags that work
with the bin 10'. It was determined that:
[0059] a) best fit--40 inch perimeter or a perimeter 2.5% smaller
than the bin perimeter P.
[0060] b) loose fit--41 inch perimeter or a perimeter equal to the
bin perimeter P.
[0061] c) tight fit--39 inch perimeter or a perimeter 5% smaller
than the bin perimeter P.
[0062] Therefore, the range of perimeters of plastic bags that will
work with a bin of perimeter P can be defined thus:
0.95P<p.ltoreq.P.
[0063] This allows almost any but preferably frame-specific bags,
that are "T-Shirt" bags with handles of the type used by retail
establishments to bag products, such as supermarkets bags for
packing groceries, can be initially used for bagging products for
carrying the products home from the store and then re-used for
throwing away and recycling trash. Preferably, the bags 30 are
dimensioned and of the type (T-Shirt bags) as suggested above,
although almost any bags can be used with the bag frame 10 or trash
bin 10', with different degrees of advantage. The use and reuse of
the bags will reduce the number of bags that are used by allowing
users to use the bags for transporting products and also for
removing trash, whereas currently consumers frequently discard the
bags provided by the retail establishments and purchase "plastic
garbage bags" that are only used once for that specific purpose.
The plastic bags 30 are preferably, but not necessarily, made of a
biodegradable material to further promote a green environment.
[0064] While the invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the invention
without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it
is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular
embodiments for carrying out this invention, but that the invention
will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
invention.
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