Trash bag holder
A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag includes at least two elongated panels connected together at a fold line so that one of the at least two elongated panels rotate to open the collapsible bag, an edge of the collapsible bag being folded over a top edge of the two elongated panels and a clip having arms to hold the edge of the collapsible bag over the top edge of one the two elongated panels.
This invention relates generally to devices and methods for making same and for supporting trash bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA problem known to any users of collapsible bags is to keep the bag open while filling the bag. One such apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,652 to Hoerner. One solution is to have one user hold the bag open while another user fills the bag. However, this solution is inefficient in requiring two users. A typical bag as flexible sides so that a great number of a bags can be stored in a one relatively small package. However, these flexible sides create problems in that the bag will not remain upright without additional support. This support can take many forms, but should solve several problems. First, the support should be lightweight so that it can be easily carried by the user. The support should maintain a firm attachment to the bag so that the support does not allow the bag to collapse as debris is being placed in the bag. Additionally, the support should easily be movable so that the bag can be moved from place to place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe structure of the present invention provides an apparatus for maintaining a collapsible bag in a fully open condition and for holding the top edges of the bag during the filling process. The edges are easily released from the bag, and the apparatus is easily removed from the bag, leaving the debris in the bag. The apparatus includes a sleeve of several interconnected panels, which are adapted to fold upon each other to form a flat rectangular structure in the stored condition. The panels are arranged to be positioned substantially parallel to some but not all of the sides of the bag. As a result of this feature, the sleeve will accommodate differing sized bags. Grips are used to releasable secure the panel to the bag. After the debris has been collected and placed in the bag, the grips are released or removed from the panel and the bag so that the sleeve can be removed from the bag and reused with another bag. When the sleeve being is to be removed, the user grasps handles in the panel to aid in the removal of the sleeve. The sleeve is coated with moisture resistant agent such as wax or other suitable material to prevent moisture from degrading the material of the sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention, only one side of the sleeve is coated with a moisture resistant agent such as wax, plastic or any other suitable material. This allows the sleeve 100 to be waterproof, yet saving manufacturing costs in that coating with wax on a single side saves wax and a manufacturing step.
The sleeve may be formed with hand-hold cut outs 102;
Continuing with
When the user is ready to use the sleeve 100, the user takes the sleeve 100 out of the packaging and keeps panels 104, 106 and 108 folded upon each other. The trash bag is selected to be filled with trash. The sleeve 100 with the panels 104, 106 and 108 being fold upon each other is inserted into the trash bag to be filled with trash. The panels 104, 106 and 108 are rotated along the fold lines 110 and 112 respectively as shown in
While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, modifications to the above-described features are considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag, comprising:
- at least two elongated panels connected together at a fold line so that one of said at least two elongated panels rotate to open the collapsible bag;
- an edge of said collapsible bag being folded over a top edge of said two elongated panels;
- a clip having arms to hold said edge of said collapsible bag over said top edge of one of said two elongated panels.
2. A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 1, wherein one of said panels is coated with a moisture resistant agent on only one side.
3. A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 2, wherein one of said panels includes a hand hold cut out having a folded portion being folded towards said moisture resistant agent side.
4. A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 3, wherein said hand held cut out includes a cutout portion from said panel.
5. A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 1, wherein said clip is substantially U-shaped.
6. A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 1, wherein said clip includes an arm for holding said collapsible bag.
7. A method for forming a sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag, comprising the steps of:
- forming at least two elongated panels connected together at a fold line so that one of said at least two elongated panels rotate to open the collapsible bag;
- folding an edge of said collapsible bag over a top edge of said two elongated panels;
- forming a clip having arms to hold said edge of said collapsible bag over said top edge of one of said two elongated panels.
8. A method for forming a sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 7, wherein the method include the step of coating one of said panels with a moisture resistant agent on only one side.
9. A method for forming a sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 8,
- wherein the method includes forming one of said panels to include a hand hold cut out having a folded portion towards said moisture resistant agent side.
10. A method for forming a sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 9, wherein the method includes forming said handheld cut out with a cutout portion from said panel.
11. A method for forming a sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 7, wherein the method includes forming said clip substantially U-shaped.
12. A method for forming a sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 7, wherein the method includes forming said clip with an arm for holding said collapsible bag.
13. A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 2, wherein one of said panels includes a hand hold cut out having a cut out portion and a folded portion, said cut out portion being U-shaped.
14. A sleeve for supporting the inside surface of a collapsible bag during the process of filling the collapsible bag as in claim 13, wherein said cut out portion extends beyond the top of said panel when folded along said fold line.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 18, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2006
Inventor: Faramarz Mikanikian (Troy, MI)
Application Number: 11/083,872
International Classification: B65D 33/00 (20060101); B65D 33/02 (20060101); B65D 25/14 (20060101);