BAG WITHIN A BAG

Abstract

An improved trash bag that helps to minimize or eliminate the release of odors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention is a trash bag having a first bag connected to a second bag, both bags having openings, where the second bag has a device capable of constricting the opening of the second bag in order to substantially prevent odor from escaping the second bag. Optionally, the second bag is capable of including a deodorizing patch. The deodorizing patch can be removably secured to the second ba. In another embodiment, the present invention is an improved trash bag having an outer bag and an inner bag within the outer bag, the outer bag and inner bag being formed with a common wall portion, wherein the inner bag has an inner opening closure device capable of constricting the inner opening in order to substantially prevent odor from escaping the inner bag. A deodorizing path can be removably secured to the inner bag.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/773,303, filed Feb. 14, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a trash bag and particularly a trash bag that helps minimize or eliminate the release of odors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Waste or trash bags are well known as storage receptacles for garbage and other undesired items. Trash bags are generally made of plastic or vinyl and are frequently used as liners in conjunction with trashcans (trashcans are typically rigid and serves as a stand to hold the trash bag open). Trash bags may be used separately from a trashcan to store waste and trash.

There are, however, drawbacks in using conventional trash bags. When a conventional trash bag is contained within a lidded trashcan, the lid is either left open or frequently opened by a user who wants to place garbage into the trash bag. Likewise, when a trash bag is not used in connection with a lidded trashcan, the trash bag is frequently left open, exposing the trash contained within the trash bag. As a result, areas surrounding the trash bag are exposed to the unpleasant odors emanating from trash or waste contained in the trash bag. This can occur even if trash and waste not having unpleasant odors are also contained within the trash bag. Often times, both garbage capable of releasing unpleasant odors and garbage that does not smell are mixed together within a trash bag.

For example, frequently, trash and waste is left in the trash bag for an extended period of time, which may eventually produce unpleasant odors. Meat products can become rancid, and vegetables and other perishables food items can become rotten. Along with rancid meat and the rotten food items, other examples of trash having unpleasant odors includes pet feces, baby diapers, and the like. Further, a user may not want to mix items such as medical waste, hazardous waste, syringes or feminine napkins with common trash.

Accordingly, there is a need for a trash bag which addresses the problems identified above. It is desired to have a trash bag that is capable of containing trash and waste such that the surrounding areas are not exposed or minimally exposed to unpleasant odors. In addition, it is desired to have a trash bag that is capable of separating medical or hazardous waste from other trash and waste. Moreover, it is desired that the improved trash bag be simple to use and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an improved trash bag according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the improved trash bag according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the improved trash bag according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of the improved trash bag according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of an improved trash bag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the improved trash bag according to FIG. 5.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is a trash bag capable of separating trash and waste having unpleasant odors from odorless trash or trash not having unpleasant odors.

In another aspect, the present invention is a trash bag capable of separating medical and hazardous waste from common trash.

In another aspect, the present invention is a trash bag having a first bag connected to a second bag, both bags having openings where the second bag has a device capable of constricting the opening of the second bag in order to substantially prevent odor from escaping the second bag.

In another aspect, the present invention is a trash bag having a first bag connected to a second bag, both bags having openings and where the second bag has a device capable of constricting the opening of the second bag in order to substantially prevent odor from escaping the second bag, and having a deodorizing patch connected to the second bag. In one embodiment, a deodorizing patch can be removably secured to the second bag.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is a trash bag having a first bag connected to a second bag and being formed with a common wall portion, both bags having openings with devices capable of constricting the openings of both bags to prevent odor from escaping, and a deodorizing patch connected to the second bag. In one embodiment, a deodorizing patch can be removably secured to the second bag. In another embodiment, the constricting device of the second bag is a resealable fastener.

In another aspect, the present invention is an improved trash bag having an outer bag and an inner bag within the outer bag, the outer bag and inner bag being formed with a common wall portion, wherein the outer bag has an outer opening, and wherein the inner bag has an inner opening closure device capable of constricting the inner opening in order to substantially prevent odor from escaping the inner bag. In one embodiment, a deodorizing patch can be removably secured to the inner bag. In another embodiment, the constricting device of the inner bag is a resealable fastener.

In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of storing trash comprising the steps of a) providing an improved trash bag, the improved trash bag having an outer bag and an inner bag located within the outer bag, the outer bag and inner bag being formed with a common wall portion, wherein the outer bag has an outer opening and wherein the inner bag has an inner opening and an inner bag closure device capable of constricting the inner opening in order to substantially prevent odor from escaping the inner bag; b) storing odorous trash or waste in the inner bag; and c) sealing the inner opening through use of the inner bag closure device, wherein odor from the trash or waste is substantially prevented from escaping the inner bag. In one embodiment, the improved trash bag further comprises a deodorizing patch connected to the inner bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a simple and relatively inexpensive trash bag that is capable of storing trash and waste and is capable of preventing or minimizing the release of unpleasant odor. The present invention can also store materials desired to be separated from common trash such as medical and hazardous waste. Moreover, the trash bag of the current invention does not require many moving parts or is overly complex to use.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a trash bag 10 is provided for storing trash or waste. Such trash or waste may or may not have an unpleasant odor. The trash bag of the present invention has a first bag 12 with a first opening 14 and a second bag 20 with a second opening 18, the second bag 20 being connected to the first bag 12. The first bag 12 is generally comprised of a flexible or semi-flexible material and can be a singular sheet of material that is creased and/or folded upon itself to define a space for receiving and containing trash, waste or other objects. In another embodiment, the first bag 10 has a base portion (not shown), a wall portion (not shown) and an upper portion (not shown), which together define a space for receiving trash, waste or other objects.

The first bag 12 and the second bag 20 can be made from any flexible or semi-flexible material including but not limited to polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide or other plastic, as well as rubber, cloth, nylon or other synthetic fibers, combinations thereof and the like. In one embodiment, the first bag 12 and the second bag 20 are made of the same flexible or semi-flexible material. In another embodiment, the first bag 12 and second bag 20 are each made of a different flexible or semi-flexible material. In the preferred embodiment, both the first bag 12 and second bag 20 are comprised of flexible polyethylene. In addition, the trash bag 10 of the present invention can be of any suitable thickness or any variable thickness. In one embodiment, the thickness of the first bag 12 and/or second bag 20 is between about 0.2 mm and about 1 mm. In another embodiment, the thickness of the first bag 12 and/or second bag 20 is between about 0.1 mm and about 5 mm.

The second bag 20 can be connected to the first bag 12 in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the second bag 20 is secured to the first bag 12 at a location on the exterior portion of the first bag 12. In this embodiment, the second bag 20 may be connected through any suitable means including but not limited to an adhesive, heat sealing, a fastener, and the like. For example, a predetermined exterior wall portion of the second bag 20 can be secured to an exterior wall portion of the first bag 12 such that during use the two bags will not easily become detached from one other. Referring specifically to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, a flap 22 is incorporated with the second bag 20, such that the flap 22 extends from a location on the second bag 20 adjacent to the second opening 18 and at its far end is secured to the first bag 12. The flap 22 can optionally be secured to the exterior wall of the first bag 12 or its interior wall. It is understood, however, that the flap 22 can extend from any portion of the second bag 20, and need not be limited to a location adjacent to the second opening 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, in another embodiment, the second bag 20 is secured to the first bag 12 at a location on the interior portion of the first bag 12, such that during use the two bags will not easily become detached. Specifically, a predetermined exterior wall portion of the second bag 20 is secured to a predetermined interior wall portion of the first bag 12. The second bag 20 may be connected through any suitable connecting means including but not limited to an adhesive, heat sealing, a fastener, and the like.

In the preferred embodiment, the second bag 20 can be partially formed by using a wall portion of the first bag 12. In other words, the second bag 20 and first bag 12 share a common wall portion 24. For example, the second bag 20 can be formed by securing the edges of the flexible material partially comprising the second bag 20 the inner lining of the first bag 12. The edges may be secured through any suitable means as described previously including but not limited to an adhesive, heat sealing, a fastener, and the like, such that the second bag 20 has only one opening of suitable size and wherein the inner lining of the first bag 12 and flexible material of the second bag 20 together define a space to retain waste and trash.

The opening of the second bas 20, in one embodiment, is located substantially adjacent to the opening of the first bag 12. In such an embodiment, the second bag 20 can be connected to an interior portion of the first bag 12 or an exterior portion of the first bag 12. The opening 18 of the second bag 20 is located substantially adjacent to the first opening 14 of the first bag 12 in order to facilitate easy access to the second bag 20 when trash and waste is stored in the first bag 12.

When either the first bag 12 or second bag 20 is used, trash or waste is dropped or placed in the bag, an upper portion of the bag can be gathered into a neck portion. This allows for the trash or waste to be enclosed within the first bag 12 or second bag 20, and substantially isolated from the surrounding environment. The neck portion can be held by a closure device including but not limited to tape, a twist tie, wire, a zipper, a fastener, other adhesives, elastic, string or the like. Alternatively, the edges of the first bag 12 or second bag 20 desired to be connected and sealed can be accomplished through use of a zipper, a fastener, adhesives or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the second bag 20 closure device is a resealable fastener, which is capable of preventing odors from emanating from the second bag 20. In some embodiments, only the second bag 20 closure device is used, while in other embodiments both the second bag 20 closure device and first bag 12 closure device are used.

Further, to aid in preventing odors from emanating from the second bag 20, the inner lining of the second bag 20 may be comprised on a odor absorbing material. In another embodiment, a deodorizing patch 16 is connected to the inner lining of the second bag 20. The deodorizing patch 16 can be permanently secured to the second bag 20 or removably secured to the second bag 20. One advantage of having the deodorizing patch 16 removably secured to the second bag 20 is that the deodorizing patch 16 can be replaced if the deodorizing material runs out, the deodorizing patch 16 is damaged or otherwise does not help eliminate odors within the second bag 20.

Before the trash and waste having unpleasant odors (including but not limited to pet feces, baby diapers, rancid meat and fish, chicken bones, rotten fruits, vegetable and other food items, and the like) are placed in the second bag 20, the second bag 20 closure device is opened. After such trash and waste is disposed of within the second bag 20, the second bag 20 closure device is actuated thereby constricting or sealing the second opening 18 of the second bag 20 to prevent odors from being released into the surrounding air or area. Conversely, trash or waste that is odorless or which otherwise does not have unpleasant odors can be disposed of within the first bag 12 separately. Since these types of trash are often placed in the trash bag at different times, the separation of odorous from non-odorous trashcan isolate the release of unpleasant odors to the surrounding areas to only the times in which odorous trash items need to be discarded. During times where odorless trash or trash not having unpleasant odors need to be discarded into the trash bag, the trash is placed in the first bag 12 while the closure device of the second bag 20 remains closed (thus, the odorous trash items need not be exposed and odor need not be released into the surrounding areas).

In another embodiment, medical or hazardous waste (including but not limited to used tissues, used feminine napkins, used gauze, used cotton balls, used band aids, human fluids, syringes, and the like) is placed in the second bag 20. A user, for practical reason, may want to separate such medical or hazardous waste items from the common trash, for example, to prevent the transmission of communicable or infectious diseases. After the medical or hazardous waste is disposed of within the second bag 20, the second bag 20 closure device is actuated by constricting or sealing the second opening 18 of the second bag 20 to prevent the medical or hazardous waste from mixing or coming in contact with the common trash that may be contained in the first bag 12.

Whereas the present invention has been described in relation to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is also intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting.

Claims

1. An improved trash bag comprising:

a first bag comprised of a flexible plastic material having a first opening; and

a second bag comprised of a flexible plastic material connected to the first bag, the second bag having a second opening substantially adjacent to the first opening and having a second bag closure device.

2. The trash bag of claim 1, further comprising a deodorizing patch connected to the second bag.

3. The trash bag of claim 2, wherein the deodorizing patch is removably secured to an inner lining of the second bag.

4. The trash bag of claim 1, wherein the second bag is connected to an inner lining of the first bag.

5. The trash bag of claim 1, further comprising a first bag closure device capable of substantially constricting or substantially sealing the first opening.

6. The trash bag of claim 1, wherein the first bag and second bag share a common wall portion.

7. The trash bag of claim 1, wherein the second bag closure device is capable of substantially constricting or substantially sealing the second opening to substantially prevent odor from escaping the second bag.

8. The trash bag of claim 1, wherein the second bag closure device comprises a resealable fastener.

9. An improved trash bag comprising:

an outer bag and an inner bag located within the outer bag, the outer bag and the inner bag being formed with a common wall portion, wherein the outer bag comprises an outer opening, and wherein the inner bag comprises an inner opening and an inner opening closure device capable of substantially constricting or substantially sealing the inner opening to substantially prevent odor from escaping the inner bag.

10. The trash bag of claim 9, further comprising a deodorizing patch removably secured to the inner bag.

11. The trash bag of claim 9, wherein the inner bag closure device comprises a resealable fastener.

12. A method of storing trash comprising the steps of:

a) providing an improved trash bag, the improved trash bag comprising an outer bag and an inner bag located within the outer bag, the outer bag and the inner bag being formed with a common wall portion, wherein the outer bag has an outer opening and wherein the inner bag has an inner opening and an inner bag closure device capable of substantially constricting or substantially sealing the inner opening to substantially prevent odor from escaping the inner bag;

b) storing odorous material in the inner bag; and

c) substantially sealing the inner opening with the inner bag closure device, wherein odor from the material is substantially prevented from escaping the inner bag.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the improved trash bag further comprises a deodorizing patch connected to the inner bag.

14. An improved trash bag comprising:

a first bag having a first opening, wherein the first bag is capable of containing trash; and

a second bag connected to the first bag, the second bag having a second opening and a second bag closure device capable of substantially constricting or substantially sealing the second opening to substantially prevent hazardous waste from contacting the trash.

15. The trash bag of claim 14, further comprising a deodorizing patch connected to the second bag.

16. The trash bag of claim 15, wherein the deodorizing patch is removably secured to an inner lining of the second bag.

17. The trash bag of claim 14, wherein the hazardous waste comprises medical waste.

18. A method of storing trash comprising the steps of:

a) providing an improved trash bag, the improved trash bag comprising an outer bag and an inner bag located within the outer bag, the inner bag capable of containing medical waste or hazardous waste, the outer bag and the inner bag being formed with a common wall portion, wherein the outer bag has an outer opening, and wherein the inner bag has an inner opening and an inner bag closure device capable of substantially constricting or substantially sealing the inner opening;

b) storing medical or hazardous waste in the inner bag; and

c) substantially sealing the inner opening with the inner bag closure device, wherein the medical waste or the hazardous waste is substantially prevented from escaping the inner bag.