Holding And Support Device For Replaceable Bags Having A Segmented Lid

Abstract

A support device for replaceable soft material bags in which the bag is attached to a foot-operated segmented lid. The lid, when open, spreads the bag to its extreme open position and, when closed, functions to close the bag and to somewhat compact its contents. The segmented lid closure mechanism holds, pre-positions, and provides a sanitary lid for the trash receptacle bag.

Description

The present invention relates to a holding and opening and closing device for a replaceable trash receiving bag that will shape and preform the end of the bag to permit sealing or tying thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide a holder with a segmented lid that can hold and position a replaceable soft material bag, such as plastic, and thereby eliminate the customary trash pail.

An object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle holder which has a boltless construction, resulting in a structure that is both inexpensive and rugged.

A further object of the present construction is to provide an opening and closing segmented lid which holds the neck of the bag and also functions to compact the trash bag to the proper density of bag fill.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foot-operated pedal and connecting linkages to the segmented lid.

An object of the present invention is to provide an easily replaceable bag for a holding receptacle which may be a portable garbage disposal unit for either indoor or outdoor use.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holding and support structure for a bag in an open position and having the top edges of the bag secured to foldable lid segments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 with the holding and support structure in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional and a partial elevational view of the holding and support structure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the linkage arrangement for the foot pedal operated segmented lid;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of one part of the segmented lid in its closed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the segmented lid part shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of one part of the segmented lid in its open position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the segmented lid part shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the corner spreader for the replaceable bag in its up or operative position; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the corner spreader for the bag is in the down or inoperative position.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a housing receptacle 10 is shown having a front access door 11 and accommodating a replaceable bag 12 of a soft material, such as a thermoplastic flexible sheeting. The gab 12 is adapted to accommodate a substantial volume of trash or garbage and the open end of the bag 12 is provided with a marginal edge 14 that is secured at spaced locations to the ends 16 of the fan-shaped lid portions 18. The marginal edge 14 is inserted in the slots 20 of the ends 16 of segmented lid portions 18 are held in place by clips 22.

The lid portions 18 each have a reduced part 18a which passes freely through a corresponding slot 24 in the upper rim 26 of the housing 10 (FIGS. 5-8). As seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, the reduced part 18a of each lid portion 18 is angled relative to the plane of the lid portions and is provided with a hook-shaped retaining member 30 through which horizontally disposed rods 32 are located. Each of the horizontal rods 32 are interconnected by means of couplings 34 which also connect vertical linkage rods 36. As seen in FIG. 3, an elongated foot pedal 38 is pivotally connected at one end to a fixed part of shelf 59 which is supported by the housing 10. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the intermediate part of the elongated foot pedal 38 is provided with a linkage 42 to a coupling 44 supporting horizontal rods 54. Thus, when the pedal 38 is depressed, all the horizontal rods 54 are pulled downwardly. The aforesaid rods 54 are normally returned to the upper horizontal position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by means of springs 56 and 58, at which time the lid portions 18 are in the closed position. The bag 12 normally rests on a platform 59 which is secured to the interior side walls of housing receptacle 10.

It should be apparent that since the rods 32, 36, and 54 are all interconnected upon the depression of the foot pedal 38, as shown in FIG. 1, the vertical rods are moved downwardly as seen in FIG. 7 to thereby pull down horizontal rods 32 which in turn cause each of the lid portions 18 to pivot upwardly on the shelf 23 adjacent to slots 20. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the four segmented lid portions 18 are opened to a substantially vertical position which in turn are clipped to the marginal edge 14 of the bag 12 thereby opening the bag for receiving trash and the like.

In order to ensure that the bag 12 in the open position remains fully open, four wing-shaped corner elements 60 are shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and 10. The latter two figures show a cross pin 62 mounted in each of the couplings 34. Each of the elements 60 are provided with a support rod 64 which is pivotally attached to a corresponding cross pin 62. Thus, when the vertical linkage rods 36 are depressed downwardly, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, the support rods 64 for each of the elements 60 pass through corresponding slots 66 in the corner fixtures 68 positioned below the upper rim 26 of the housing. Each of the support rods 64 is pivoted on fixed pin 63 in each of the slots 66 of the corner fixtures 68 to thereby move upwardly to a generally vertical position (FIG. 9). When this occurs, the corners of the bag 12 are spread open so that the bag assumes its completely open condition and refuse may be inserted therein. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the lid segments 18 in their closed position in which the neck of the bag 12 is in a restricted opening defined by lid segments 18. In this position, a closure may be applied to the neck of the bag 12 thereby sealing the trash or garbage bag for eventual disposal, and it can be replaced with an empty bag.

The present fan-shaped segmented lid portions of the bag support structure are foot operated. When the foot pedal is depressed, the lid portions swing open thereby opening the bag with the assistance of the wing-shaped edge or corner elements. When the foot pedal is released, the weight of the bag, the spring load against the support structure when the pedal is depressed, and the segmented lid portions cause the bag to close. The number of segmented lid portions utilized may vary and is determined by the required application. Furthermore, it should be noted that the lid portions 18, when closed, may also be constructed so that they do not lie flat, as seen in FIG. 2, but may assume an upwardly angled position or a pyramid form.

The upper rim 26 is preferably a separate structure which rests on the housing 10. Furthermore, the interconnected linkage rods 32, 36, and 54 together with the foot pedal 38, springs 56 and 58, segmented lid portions 18, and upper rim 26 can be sold separately for insertion in the user's own receptacle.

In certain instances, such as the manufacture of heavy duty industrial models of the present holding and support device, it may be necessary to use bolts or other fastening devices in order to ensure the rigidity of the present device.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A holding and support device for a replaceable flexible bag comprising an enclosure for said bag provided with a lid having segmented portions, means on said segmented portions for removably holding the upper marginal edge of said bag, and external operating means operatively connected to each of the segmented portions of the lid for opening said portions of the lid to a substantially vertical position whereby said bag assumes an open position, and for closing said portions of the lid to a substantially horizontal position whereby said bag assumes a closed position.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a linkage arrangement connecting said external operating means to said segmented portions of the lid.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said external operating means is a spring-biased foot pedal.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said segmented portions of the lid are triangular shaped and which when in the horizontal position define a space for accommodating the neck of the bag.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the apex of each of said triangular shaped segmented portions is provided with a slot and a means for retaining the marginal edge of the bag in said slot.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of corner elements pivotally connected on a portion of said linkage arrangement whereby when said segmented portions of the lid assume the vertical position said corner elements also assume a substantially vertical position forcing the corners of the bag into a fully open position.

7. The device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an upper rim on said enclosure provided with a plurality of spaced slots, each of said segmented portions having a part projecting through a corresponding slot, said linkage arrangement being operatively connected to each of said parts whereby when the linkage is moved by said external operating means said parts pivot on said upper rim thereby elevating each of the segmented portions of the lid to its substantially vertical position.

8. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said triangular shaped segmented portions of the lid in the horizontal positions thereof function to compact the refuse in the bag.

9. A holding and support device for a replaceable bag for use with an enclosure comprising a segmented lid holding arrangement for removably holding the upper marginal edge of said bag, and external operating means operatively connected to each of the segmented portions of the lid for opening said portions of the lid to a substantially vertical position whereby said bag assumes an open position, and for closing said portions of the lid to a substantially horizontal position whereby said bag assumes a closed position.