Apparatus and a method for bagging debris in a commercially available trash bag which has closure straps

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for bagging debris in a commercially available trash bag which has closure straps. The device is composed of a housing defining a generally cylindrical enclosure whose ends are in open communication with the exterior of the housing. The housing is flattened on one side to maintain the device in a stable position when it is placed on the ground. The housing has a handle attached to its exterior to enable a user to lift and maneuver the device. The housing has a means for attaching a trash bag which has one or more closure straps to one end of the housing using the trash bag's closure straps such that the generally cylindrical enclosure of the housing is in open communication with the interior of the trash bag.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for trash, leaf and/or debris bagging. More particularly, this invention relates to devices for trash, leaf and/or debris bagging which use the straps of a trash bag for attaching such bags to the device.

2. Description of the Problem

Homeowners periodically dispose of debris, such as leaves, cut grass, and paper refuse, which have accumulated in the yards of their homes by placing such debris in paper or plastic trash bags. The process of bagging yard debris typically consists of raking the debris into one or more piles followed by moving the contents of the piles into an open trash bag. The operation of moving the accumulated debris into a trash bag by hand is cumbersome, requiring the homeowner to find some way to hold the trash bag open while laboriously moving handfuls of debris into the bag or using the rake to push the debris into the open bag.

Devices have previously been constructed to assist homeowners in bagging yard debris. Typically such devices are frames, funnels, or platforms which hold a trash bag in an open position and which may provide a pathway to direct the debris into the open bag using a rake or shovel. The primary disadvantage of all such devices is that the means used to attach a trash bag to the device is either relatively cumbersome to operate, prone to tearing the bag, or fails to securely hold the bag as the bag becomes weighed down with debris. None of these devices takes advantage of the most natural and strongest attachment point for trash bags, the bag's closure straps.

3. Description of Related Art

Previously, devices or systems for bagging debris have used a number of basic mechanisms for attaching trash bags to the device. One method of attaching a trash bag to a bagging device is to stretch the trash bag over the device's frame. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,274 (McVay). The '274 device is comprised of a rectangular frame rotatably mounted on a fixed base. The entire device is inserted into the opening of a trash bag and then the rectangular frame is rotated until it is pressed tightly against the trash bag's side walls. Another such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,503 (Horan). The '503 device is comprised of a wedge shaped platform with two spring actuated arms on either side of the platform. The arms of the device are retracted and the entire device is inserted into the opening of the bag. The arms of the device are then allowed to spring out against the side walls of the bag, holding the bag in place.

One disadvantage of these of devices is that they engage the trash bag on the bag's relatively weak side walls and are thus prone to tear the bag. A second disadvantage of these devices is that inserting the device into the bag is a relatively slow and cumbersome operation. A third disadvantage of these devices is that they are manufactured with a number of moving parts which increases the cost of manufacturing the devices and makes the devices less durable than devices with no moving components.

A second method of attaching a trash bag to a bagging device is to clamp the trash bag to the device's frame. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,027 (Fullilove). The '027 device is comprised of a telescoping rectangular frame mounted on a wedge shaped platform. The rectangular frame has clamps running the length of the top and both sides of the frame. The open end of a trash bag is clamped to the top and the sides of the device's frame with the back of the wedge shaped platform inserted in the bag's opening. The dimensions of the frame are adjusted to approximate that of the opening of the bag.

One disadvantage of this device is that inserting the device into a trash bag and clamping the bag to the device is a relatively slow and cumbersome operation. A second disadvantage of this device is that it contains a number of moving parts which increases the cost of manufacturing the device and makes the device less durable than devices with no moving components. A third disadvantage of this type of device is that the devices clamps may tear the bag as the bag is stretched while it is being filled.

A third method of attaching a trash bag to a bagging device is to use a strap or cord to secure the bag to the device's housing. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,406 (Petersen). The '406 device is comprised of a open ended housing with a retaining channel encircling the housing on one end and an adjustable strap. The housing is inserted into the opening of a trash bag and the adjustable strap is placed then over the bag and housing and seated in the retaining channel. The strap is then tightened and secured, fixing the bag on the housing.

One disadvantage of this device that inserting the device into the bag and securing the bag with a retaining strap is a relatively slow and cumbersome operation. A second disadvantage of this device is that it contains a separate retaining strap which increases the cost of manufacturing the device. A third disadvantage of this device is that the retaining strap can be lost or broken, rendering the device unusable.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable commercially available trash bags to be rapidly attached to and detached from a leaf bagging apparatus with a minimum of effort by the apparatus's user.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the risk that that a trash bag attached to a leaf bagging apparatus will tear when the bag is attached to the apparatus or when the bag fills with debris.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the number of components used to create a leaf bagging apparatus, making the device less expensive to manufacture and more reliable in operation.

Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the drawing is studied in conjunction with the detailed specification.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus and a method for bagging debris in a commercially available trash bag which has closure straps. The device is composed of a housing defining a generally cylindrical enclosure whose ends are in open communication with the exterior of the housing. The housing is flattened on one side to maintain the device in a stable position when it is placed on the ground. The housing has a handle attached to its exterior to enable a user to lift and maneuver the device. The housing has a means for attaching a trash bag which has one or more closure straps to one end of the housing using the trash bag's closure straps such that the generally cylindrical enclosure of the housing is in open communication with the interior of the trash bag.

In one embodiment of the device, the means for attaching the trash bag to the housing are one or more members attached to the external circumference one end of the housing. Such members can be either a removable clip or a projection molded to the housing such that the member extends outward from the housing, and upward toward the opposite end of the housing creating a cradle in the elbow of the member. A user pulls the trash bag straps up and over the end of the members into the elbow or cradle of the member.

The method of bagging trash described here is comprised of the steps of holding a trash bag which has one or more closure straps in a fixed and open position using the bag's closure straps to hold the bag in position, guiding debris onto a relatively flat surface located adjacent to the opening of the trash bag, and tilting the flat surface adjacent to the opening of the trash bag such that gravity causes the debris to fall through the opening of the trash bag into the interior of the trash bag. In one embodiment of the invention, the weight of the debris in the trash bag cause the straps of the trash bag to be more held more firmly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1. is a diagonal elevation view of one embodiment of a leaf bagging device.

FIG. 2. is a side view of the embodiment of the leaf bagging device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3. is a top view of the embodiment of a leaf bagging device shown in FIG. 1 and a detailed view of the bag handle clip on the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1, the leaf bagging device is comprised of a generally cylindrical housing 1 with a two open ends 2 and 4, a handle 12, and clips 14 for attaching a trash bag with closure straps to the housing 1 over the open end 4. The housing 1 is constructed of polypropylene, but could also be constructed of other durable, lightweight materials such as other types of plastic, metal, such as aluminum, or wood. The handle 12 and the clips 14 are also constructed of polypropylene, but could also be constructed of other durable materials such as other types of plastic, metal, such as aluminum, or wood. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle 12 is molded into the housing 1 and the clips are molded separately and inserted into slots in the housing, however, both components could be molded into the housing or molded separately and attached to the housing using tabs, screws, or other conventional means of attachment.

One wall of the housing 8 is flattened, allowing the housing 1 to rest in a stable position on the ground. The handle 12 is positioned on a wall 10 of the housing 1 opposite the flattened wall 8 of the housing 1. One end 2 of the housing 1 is larger in width and circumference than the opposite end 4 of the housing 1. The walls of the housing 1, with the exception of the flattened wall 8, slope as they proceed from the larger open end 2 of the housing 1 to the smaller open end 4 of the housing 1. Thus, the walls of the housing 1 define an approximately funnel shaped channel 6. The flow of debris in the device flows through the channel 6 from the larger open end 2 to the smaller open end 4. The funnel shape of the channel 6 of the housing tends to compress debris as they flow from the larger open end 2 of the housing towards the smaller open end of the housing 4.

Referring next to FIG. 2, the flat wall 26 of the housing 20 is flat the entire length of the housing 20 from the larger open end 22 of the housing 20 to the smaller open end 24 of the housing 20. The wall of the housing 28 opposite the flat wall 26 of the housing 20 slopes downward as it moves from the larger open end 22 of the housing 20 to the smaller open end 24 of the housing 20. The flow of debris in the device flows through the channel within the housing 34-34′ from the larger open end 22 of the housing to the smaller open end 24 of the housing. Two clips 32 for attaching a trash bag with closure straps to the housing 20 over the smaller open end 24 are mounted near the small open 24 of the housing 20 approximately midway between the flat wall 26 of the housing 20 and the top of the housing 20.

The handle 30 is is positioned on the wall 28 of the housing 20 opposite the flattened wall 26 of the housing 20 near the larger open end 22 of the housing 20. Positioning the handle 30 near the larger open end 22 of the housing 20 causes the housing to tilt in direction of the smaller end 24 when the housing 20 is lifted using the handle 30. The axis of the handle 30 is parallel to direction of flow of debris through the channel 34-34′ of the housing 20. Positioning the axis of the handle 30 parallel to the flow of debris through the channel 34-34′ of the housing 20 allows the user of the apparatus to hold the apparatus in a stable position when debris are forced through the channel 34-34′ of the housing 20.

Referring next to FIG. 3, a trash bag 49 can be attached to the smaller open end 44 of the housing 40 by the trash bags closure straps using two clips 48 attached to opposite sides of the housing 40 near the smaller open end 44 of the housing 40. The interior of the trash bag 49 is in open communication with the channel 45-45′ of the housing 40. Debris are raked into the larger open end 42 of the housing 40 and flow through the channel of the housing 40 into the interior of the trash bag 49. The axis of the handle 46 is parallel to the channel of the housing 45-45′ of the housing 40. In the preferred embodiment, the larger open end 42 of the housing 40 is somewhat wider than the head of a standard leaf rake, although devices with narrower or wider openings could be constructed for use with narrower or wider rakes, brooms, or shovels. In the preferred embodiment, the smaller open end 44 of the housing 40 is smaller than the opening of a standard 20 or 40 gallon trash bag, although devices with narrower or wider openings could be constructed for use with smaller and larger trash bags.

The clip 48 is inserted into a slot in the housing 40 using a tab 50 on the back of the clip. The clip 48 has a hook with a bottom elbow 54 and a top flange 52 that flares outward. The axis of the clip 56-56′ is orientated parallel to the channel of 45-45′ of the housing 40 with the top flange 52 of the clip 48 pointing towards the larger open end 42 of the housing and away from the smaller open end 44 of the housing 40. The structure of the hook creates a cradle in the elbow of the member. A user pulls the closure straps of a trash bag straps up and over the top flange 52 of the hook and down toward the elbow 54 of the hook into the cradle created by the elbow 54 of the hook. This method of attachment rapidly secures the strapped bag to the smaller open end 44 of the housing 40 using only the straps of the trash bag. In addition, as weight is added to the trash bag, the straps of the trash bag are pulled more tightly, causing the bag to seal even more securely around the smaller open end 44 of the housing 40. Note that the means for attaching the trash bag to the housing need not be limited to a clip as described above, but could include any kind of projection attached to or molded into the housing such that the projection extends outward from the housing, and upward toward the end of the larger open end 42 of the housing 40 creating a cradle in the elbow of the member.

An illustrative operational cycle of the preferred embodiment is as follows. The open end of a trash bag with closure straps is slipped over the smaller end 44 of the housing. Each closure strap of the trash bag is slipped over the top flange 52 of a clip 48 nearest that closure strap. The closure straps are then pulled down into elbow 54 of the hook of the clip 48 into which that closure strap was inserted. The apparatus is then placed on the ground resting on the flat side 8 of the housing 1. Leaves and other debris are raked into the larger open end 2 of the housing 1. When the housing 1 has been filled with debris, the housing 1 is tilted by raising the larger open end 2 of the housing above the smaller open end of the housing 4 using the handle 12. Gravity causes debris to slide through the channel 6 into the trash bag attached to the smaller end of the housing 4. The operation of filling the housing 1 and emptying it into the trash bag may be repeated until the trash bag is full. The closure straps of the trash bag are then slipped off of the clips 14 on the housing 1 and the bag is slipped off of the apparatus and sealed using the trash bag's closure straps.

The form of housing 1 is designed and constructed such that the housing circumference is smaller moving along the 34-34′ axis in housing 20, creating the opportunity for multiple embodiments to be packaged together by inserting open end 24 into open end 22 of the next embodiment, in the case where the handle 30 and the clip 32 are not molded to the housing, but rather, attached later by the user.

The foregoing description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application of those principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. An apparatus for collecting debris in a trash bag comprising:

a housing defining a generally cylindrical enclosure with a first end and a second end, the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing being in open communication with the exterior of the housing, the housing further having a generally flattened first wall extending approximately the length of the housing from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing;

a handle attached to the exterior of the housing on a second wall of the housing;

a means for attaching a trash bag which has one or more closure straps to the second end of the housing using the trash bag's closure straps such that the generally cylindrical enclosure of the housing is in open communication with the interior of the trash bag.

2. The invention in claim 1 where the means for attaching the trash bag to the housing is a member is attached to the external circumference of the second end, the member being either a removable clip or a projection molded to the housing such that the member extends outward from the housing, and upward toward the first end of the housing creating a cradle in the elbow of the member, whereby the user may pull bag straps up and over the end of the member extending toward the first end of the housing, and down toward the second end of the housing into the elbow or cradle of the member.

3. The invention in claim 1 where the body of the handle attached to the housing is positioned parallel to a line extending from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing.

4. The invention in claim 2 where the body of the handle attached to the housing is positioned parallel to a line extending from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing.

5. The invention in claim 1 where the first end of the housing has a diameter larger than the second end of the housing.

6. The invention in claim 2 where the first end of the housing has a diameter larger than the second end of the housing.

7. The invention in claim 3 where the first end of the housing has a diameter larger than the second end of the housing.

8. The invention in claim 4 where the first end of the housing has a diameter larger than the second end of the housing.

9. The invention in claim 5 where the diameter of the first end of the housing is larger than the width of the head of a leaf rake and the diameter of the second end of the housing is less than the opening of a 20 or 40 gallon trash bag.

10. The invention in claim 6 where the diameter of the first end of the housing is larger than the width of the head of a leaf rake and the diameter of the second end of the housing is less than the opening of a 20 or 40 gallon trash bag.

11. The invention in claim 7 where the diameter of the first end of the housing is larger than the width of the head of a leaf rake and the diameter of the second end of the housing is less than the opening of a 20 or 40 gallon trash bag.

12. The invention in claim 8 where the diameter of the first end of the housing is larger than the width of the head of a leaf rake and the diameter of the second end of the housing is less than the opening of a 20 or 40 gallon trash bag.

13. A method for collecting debris in a trash bag comprising the steps:

holding a trash bag which has one or more closure straps in a fixed and open position using the bag's closure straps to hold the bag in such a position;

guiding debris onto a relatively flat surface located adjacent to the opening of the trash bag;

tilting the relatively flat surface adjacent to the opening of the trash bag such that gravity causes the debris to fall through the opening of the trash bag into the interior of the trash bag.

14. The invention in claim 13 where the debris are compressed as they are guided onto the relatively flat surface adjacent to the opening of the trash bag.

15. The invention in claim 13 including the additional step:

applying the weight of the debris in the trash bag to the straps of the trash bag causing it to be held more firmly.

16. The invention in claim 14 including the additional step:

applying the weight of the debris in the trash bag to the straps of the trash bag causing it to be held more firmly.