Trash bag dispenser
A trash bag dispenser for use with a series of trash bags and a receptacle is disclosed. The trash bag dispenser comprises a receiving cavity for receiving the series of trash bags, a cover including a slot for allowing trash bags to be removed from the receiving cavity, and a contact surface preventing separation between the dispenser and the receptacle during removal of trash bags from the cavity. The dispenser provides for use in which a first trash bag is removed from the receiving cavity through the slot and arranged in the receptacle to hold trash and is removed from the receptacle causing a second trash bag to be removed from the receiving cavity through the slot to allow arrangement of the second trash bag in the receptacle to hold trash.
The present invention relates to trash collection and, in particular, to devices bagging and removing trash.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTypically, trash bags are sold as a roll or stack of a series of connected bags. The bags are divided by perforations to allow for easy separation when a bag is pulled from the roll or stack. Likewise, the bags are all oriented in the same direction such that the opening of each bag precedes the closed end of each bag when pulled from the roll or stack.
The trash bags are often sold in a plastic sleeve or cardboard container and are stored at a position remote from the trash collection receptacle, such as in a closet or cabinet. When replacement of a full trash bag is required, the roll or stack of bags must be located and a bag must be separated from the roll or stack and positioned in the receptacle. This process can be burdensome when the full trash bag is leaking or otherwise unstable or when the stored roll or stack of bags cannot be found. Such a burden sometimes leads to the use of receptacles without trash bags causing the receptacles to become unsanitary and trash disposal to require further steps of emptying the receptacle into a trash bag at a later date or into an outdoor collection dumpster.
In addition, there may be receptacles of different sizes in use at a site such that different size trash bags are necessary. Storage of such bags together leads to use of improperly-sized bags on receptacles and lead to spills, tears or other problems. In addition, bags necessary for a specific purpose may be utilized for more general purposes and require that the specific-use bags be replenished more frequently.
Therefore, there is a continuing significant need in the field of trash collection for improvements in trash bag storage.
In addition, there is a need in the field of trash collection for the facilitation of proper trash bag use.
Furthermore, there is a need in the field of trash collection for a device which encourages use of trash bags in receptacles and promotes the ease of such use.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the invention to provide a trash bag dispenser for use inside a trash receptacle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a trash bag dispenser which provides for convenient storage of extra trash bags within a trash receptacle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a trash bag dispenser which includes a cavity which is attachable to a trash receptacle.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a trash bag dispenser for use with a series of connected trash bags which facilitates placement of trash bags in a trash receptacle.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, a trash bag dispenser for use with a series of trash bags is provided for facilitating trash disposal. The trash bag dispenser of this invention overcomes certain problems and shortcomings of the prior art, including those noted above, and provides a unique structure satisfying a number of specific needs.
The trash bag dispenser comprises a receiving cavity for receiving the series of trash bags, a cover including a slot for allowing trash bags to be removed from the receiving cavity, and a contact surface preventing separation between the dispenser and the receptacle during removal of trash bags from the cavity. The dispenser is arranged such that a first trash bag can be removed from the receiving cavity through the slot and arranged in the receptacle to hold trash and then be removed from the receptacle causing a second trash bag to be removed from the receiving cavity through the slot to allow arrangement of the second trash bag in the receptacle to hold trash.
In certain embodiments, the cavity includes a bottom and four side walls and the bottom includes the contact surface. The contact surface may include an attachment portion which attaches to the receptacle. In such embodiments the attachment portion and receptacle may include a hook and loop fastener arrangement or adhesive.
In certain embodiments, the cover is releasably attached to the cavity to allow the series of trash bags to be positioned in the cavity. In other words, the cover may be removed from the cavity to allow a roll or stack of trash bags to be placed in the cavity before the cover is reattached.
In certain embodiments, the receptacle has a bottom end with an inner circumference and the cover has a perimeter which fits the inner circumference such that the cover encloses the bottom end when positioned in the receptacle. Such embodiments allow for protection of the bottom end of the receptacle from spills or other debris.
In certain other embodiments, the receptacle includes a chamber for receiving the cavity. The chamber includes an opening which allows trash bags to be transferred from the receiving cavity to the receptacle. In such embodiments, the cover includes the contact surface. The receptacle may include the cover and the opening in the chamber may be the slot in the cover such that the receptacle covers the open cavity.
The invention is also described as the combination of a trash receptacle, a trash bag dispenser and a series of trash bags. In such a combination, the dispenser is received by the trash receptacle and includes a cavity for holding the series of trash bags and a cover including a slot for allowing trash bags to be removed from the receiving cavity. The receptacle and dispenser are preferably arranged to prevent separation between the dispenser and the receptacle during removal of trash bags from the cavity such that as a first bag is removed from the receptacle a second bag is transferred from the dispenser to the receptacle. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a contact surface which prevents separation between the dispenser and the receptacle during removal of trash bags from the cavity. In certain of these embodiments, the contact surface includes an attachment portion which attaches to the receptacle. The attachment portion and receptacle may include a hook and loop fastener arrangement or adhesive.
In certain embodiments, the cover is releasably attached to the cavity to allow the series of trash bags to be positioned in the cavity. The cavity may include a bottom and four side walls. In some embodiments, the receptacle has a bottom end with an inner circumference and the cover has a perimeter which fits the inner circumference such that the cover encloses the bottom end when positioned in the receptacle.
In other embodiments, the receptacle includes a chamber for receiving the cavity. The chamber preferably has an for allowing trash bags to be transferred from the cavity to the receptacle. In certain embodiments, the cover includes a contact surface for preventing separation between the dispenser and the receptacle during removal of trash bags from the cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily understood from the following description of the illustrated embodiment. In the drawings:
Referring to
Receiving cavity 20 is preferably sized to fit within a trash receptacle without using much of the receptacle internal volume which is intended to be filled with trash. Receiving cavity 20 and cover 40 are preferably made from plastic, though materials such as metal or wood could also be utilized. While receiving cavity 20 and cover 40 are shown connected via hinge 44, cover 40 can be dimensioned to friction fit over receiving cavity 20 as a lid.
While the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments by way of illustration, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A trash bag dispenser for use with a series of trash bags and a receptacle, the bag dispenser comprising:
- a receiving cavity for receiving the series of trash bags,
- a cover including a slot for allowing trash bags to be removed from the receiving cavity,
- a contact surface preventing separation between the dispenser and the receptacle during removal of trash bags from the cavity,
- whereby, a first trash bag is removed from the receiving cavity through the slot and arranged in the receptacle to hold trash and is removed from the receptacle causing a second trash bag to be removed from the receiving cavity through the slot to allow arrangement of the second trash bag in the receptacle to hold trash.
2. The trash bag dispenser of claim 1 wherein the contact surface includes an attachment portion which attaches to the receptacle.
3. The trash bag dispenser of claim 2 wherein the attachment portion and receptacle include a hook and loop fastener arrangement.
4. The trash bag dispenser of claim 2 wherein the attachment portion includes adhesive.
5. The trash bag dispenser of claim 1 wherein the cover is releasably attached to the cavity to allow the series of trash bags to be positioned in the cavity.
6. The trash bag dispenser of claim 1 wherein the cavity includes a bottom and four side walls and wherein the bottom includes the contact surface.
7. The trash bag dispenser of claim 1 wherein the receptacle has a bottom end with an inner circumference and the cover has a perimeter which fits the inner circumference such that the cover encloses the bottom end when positioned in the receptacle.
8. The trash bag dispenser of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes a chamber having an opening, the cavity being received in the chamber, the opening for allowing trash bags to be transferred from the receiving cavity to the receptacle.
9. The trash bag dispenser of claim 8 wherein the cover includes the contact surface.
10. The trash bag dispenser of claim 8 wherein the receptacle includes the cover and the opening is the slot.
11. In combination, a trash receptacle, a trash bag dispenser and a series of trash bags, the dispenser being received by the trash receptacle and including a cavity for holding the series of trash bags and a cover including a slot for allowing trash bags to be removed from the receiving cavity, the receptacle and dispenser being arranged to prevent separation between the dispenser and the receptacle during removal of trash bags from the cavity such that as a first bag is removed from the receptacle a second bag is transferred from the dispenser to the receptacle.
12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the dispenser includes a contact surface which prevents separation between the dispenser and the receptacle during removal of trash bags from the cavity.
13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the contact surface includes an attachment portion which attaches to the receptacle.
14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the attachment portion and receptacle include a hook and loop fastener arrangement.
15. The combination of claim 13 wherein the attachment portion includes adhesive.
16. The combination of claim 11 wherein the cover is releasably attached to the cavity to allow the series of trash bags to be positioned in the cavity.
17. The combination of claim 11 wherein the cavity includes a bottom and four side walls.
18. The combination of claim 11 wherein the receptacle has a bottom end with an inner circumference and the cover has a perimeter which fits the inner circumference such that the cover encloses the bottom end when positioned in the receptacle.
19. The combination of claim 11 wherein the receptacle includes a chamber having an opening, the cavity being received in the chamber, the opening for allowing trash bags to be transferred from the cavity to the receptacle.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the cover includes a contact surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 31, 2003
Publication Date: May 5, 2005
Inventor: Samuel Best (Greenfield, IN)
Application Number: 10/699,463