Trash bag holder or dispenser for attaching to a trash receptacle and a trash receptacle comprising same

Abstract

A storage unit or dispenser for trash can liners comprises a receiving member having a generally rectangular cross section. In one embodiment designed for mounting to an outside wall of a trash receptacle, the receiving member includes a slot though which trash can liners may be dispensed from a box or roll then through the dispenser wall. In another embodiment, the storage unit serves as a base for a trash receptacle, and is sized to receive and store one or more consumer retail size boxes or rolls of trash bags. The storage unit or dispenser provides a ready supply of trash can liners near at hand and eliminates the need to search for liners.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending United Stated Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/561,682 filed Apr. 13, 2004 entitled “Trash Mate”, having a common applicant herewith.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to trash bag holders, storage units and dispensers and, more particularly, to trash bag holders, storage units and dispensers which are designed for easy attachment to side of a trash receptacle, or alternately provided directly integrated with the trash receptacle as one unit.

BACKGROUND

Plastic trash receptacle liners or trash bags are commonly used to line the interior of trash receptacles. Plastic trash bags find advantageous use as they make it easy and convenient to empty a full trash receptacle by lifting the bag from the receptacle, securing the top of the bag closed, and then removing the bag from the trash receptacle.

Plastic trash receptacle liners or bags are widely used in households, especially in the kitchen as their use maintains a level of cleanliness by containing sticky and moist food residues in the removable trash liner bag, and thereby keeps the trash receptacle clean and reduces the presence of odors.

Conventional household trash bags are provided to consumers packaged in rolls or boxes, sometimes with an over wrap plastic bag or in conventional thin wall paper box packaging.

Conventional trash receptacles are not equipped for storage of trash bag boxes, hence trash bags are commonly stored in cupboards, pantries, closets, on shelves, counter tops, bathroom sink bases, or where ever they are placed, and at some distance from the trash receptacle. One limitation of the approach to trash receptacle liner storage is that when a replacement trash bag is required, one must often expend time to search around shelves and cupboards to find the trash bag liners, this makes the replacement of trash receptacle liners more annoying and time consuming than would otherwise be required.

Still another limitation is that on occasion trash bags are overfilled and can tear when removed from a trash receptacle. In such cases is would be advantageous to have another trash bag readily at hand on the trash receptacle to double wrap the bag and catch the tear before the bag breaks.

Therefore, a trash bag storage unit or dispenser, which is provided together with or easily mountable to a trash receptacle, would be useful and novel.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein comprise a trash bag storage unit or dispenser for use with and attaching to a trash receptacle or container.

In one embodiment, a dispenser for trash bags comprises an elongated trash bag box or roll receiving member, at least one end wall, and a slot through the front portion of the receiving member. The trash bag receiving member is configured to be removably mounted to an outside wall of a trash receptacle. The slot is provided and positioned along an axis coinciding with the elongation axis of the receiving member. The dispenser is removably mounted to the trash receptacle exterior wall to provide easy access to replacement bags when the occasion occurs. Additionally, one end of the elongated receiving member may be open so as to provide access to insert a new trash bag box, roll or individual trash can liners into the dispenser, a slot provided to allow trash bags to be dispensed through the slot for use.

In another embodiment, a storage unit or holder for trash bag boxes or rolls comprises a base member sized and configured to insert under and supportably conform to the exterior base wall of a trash receptacle. The trash bag liner storage unit housing having a generally rectangular footprint, having a bottom base wall, side walls, and a top wall to conform to and support the trash receptacle. The trash bag storage unit can be provided with or purchased separately for use with and attachment to the trash receptacle. The trash base storage unit forms a base member which can be either permanently or removably mounted to the bottom of the trash receptacle. The trash bag storage unit is provided with sliding doors on at least one side to allow access to the trash bag boxes or rolls stored on the interior. The storage unit is sized to provide storage for multiple trash bag boxes or rolls, as well as optionally twist ties to secure the tops of full trash bags for removal from the receptacle. Another embodiment is a modification of this embodiment, wherein the trash bag storage unit is provided with and permanently fixed to the base of the trash receptacle, that is the trash bag storage unit and trash receptacle are provided as a single unit.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a novel and useful alternative to the conventional approach to the storage and replacement of trash can liners in a trash receptacle. Specifically, trash receptacle holders or dispensers in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein provide a convenient placement and means of storage of new replacement trash bags directly on the trash receptacle. By placing replacement trash bags where they are easily and conveniently found and used, time is saved in searching for trash bags, also commonly called trash can liners, and sanitation is improved as the trash container is less likely to remain unlined after a full trash bag is removed.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a trash bag dispenser which can be easily and removably attached to the side any convention trash receptacle. In this embodiment, the dispenser receiving member is sized to accept and dispense trash bags from a conventional consumer retail size boxes of trash can liners.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a trash bag dispenser or holder which can be mounted to the side of a trash receptacle is an number of convenient locations and can be oriented either vertically or horizontally on the side of the trash receptacle.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a trash bag holder which can be mounted and support under a conventional trash receptacle, and is sized to hold a plurality of trash bag boxes or rolls, optimally 3.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a trash bag storage unit or holder which can be integrated with and provided as one integrated unit with a trash receptacle.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a trash bag dispenser or holder which reduces the time wasted to search around cabinets and closets for replacement trash bags or trash can liners, as the trash bags are held conveniently and ready for use at the trash receptacle container.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a trash bag dispenser or holder which can be easily produced from a moldable polymer or plastic and can be produced at low cost.

These and other objects of the inventive disclosures made herein will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred, however the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an isometric assembly view depicting a trash receptacle with an attached trash bag dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the trash bag dispenser of FIG. 1 together with an outline view of a boxed roll of trash bags (partially inserted into the dispenser).

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the trash bag dispenser of FIG. 2, showing the back side of the dispenser with the hook and loop adhesive fabric tape applied. The back side is the dispenser side that faces and mounts to a trash receptacle.

FIG. 4 is an isometric assembly view depicting a trash receptacle with an attached trash bag dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein wherein the dispenser is mounted in a vertical orientation and the top end is open.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the trash bag dispenser of FIG. 4. illustrating a trash bag box or trash bag roll being is inserted into the dispenser according to the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 6 depicts a trash receptacle with a trash bag holder or storage unit in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-FIG. 3 depict a trash bag dispenser in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein. The dispenser 1 is shown attached to the side of a conventional trash receptacle or trashcan 3. The dispenser 1 includes a slot 2 through a face, preferably the top face, of the elongated trash can liner box or roll receiving member of the dispenser 1. The receiving member 11 has an open end 8 through which consumer retail size trash can liner boxes, rolls or individual trash can liners may be inserted into the dispenser. The slot is positioned to allow trash bags to be dispensed from the through the top face of the dispenser receiving member 11. The trash bag dispenser is removably attached to the side of the trash receptacle. In one particular embodiment, the removable means of attaching the dispenser to the trash receptacle is by means of a conventional and well known hook and loop fabric tape 5 having an adhesive backing. FIG. 3 illustrates two strips of adhesively backed hook and loop fabric tape 5 applied to the backside of the trash bag dispenser. The hook and loop tape mates with a companion section of tape adhered to the outside of the trash receptacle to supportively mount the trash bag dispenser in position on the trash receptacle. While two strips applied as shown should be sufficient, is it to be understood that the two strips could be replaced with, for example, one wider strip of tape, or more than two strips can be applied in a variety of configurations without deviating from the inventive disclosures presented herein. Referring to FIG. 3, the receiving member of the dispenser is provided with an end cap 14. End caps, if provided, may be provided on one end or on both ends of the receiving member. Where two end caps are used, it is intended at least one of the end caps is removably or hingeably attached to the end of the receiving member, this to provide access to the interior of the receiving member for replacement of trash bag boxes or trash bag rolls when necessary

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the front face of the receiving member 11 is provided with a thumb or finger notch 12. A finger or thumb can be inserted through the notch to engage a trash bag box in the dispenser to slide the box out for replacement.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a trash bag dispenser or pouch 1 is removably attached in a vertical position relative to the side of a trash receptacle 3. The dispenser may optionally include a slot 2 through the face of the elongated receiving member 11. The slot is positioned to allow trash bags to be dispensed from a trash bag box or roll, wherein a trash bag end extends through the slot for easy grasp. The dispenser may also be applied as a trash bag box or roll pouch, in which case a trash liner box 9 or roll 15 may be stored in the pouch by inserting and removing though the open top end 8 of the receiving member. It is conceived that the dispenser may be removably attached to the trash receptacle wall by means of a hook and loop fabric tape 5 having an adhesive backing. Alternately, the dispenser may be more permanently attached to the trash receptacle wall by use of a double back tape having adhesive applied to both sides.

The dispenser 1, as depicted, is configured to for vertical attachment to the side of a trash receptacle. It is contemplated herein that at least in one embodiment the trash bag dispenser or pouch of FIGS. 4 and 5 is sized to hold as many as 3 trash bag boxes or rolls standing vertically side by side within the pouch. This is accomplished by widening the widening the mouth of the pouch or dispenser to accommodate more than one trash bag box or roll.

FIG. 6 depicts a storage unit base 13 for a trash receptacle. The storage unit is installed under a trash receptacle 3 wherein the top wall of the storage unit is sized and configured to receive and support a standard size trash receptacle, in this figure a kitchen trash receptacle. The storage base is equipped with one or more sliding doors 10, the sliding doors being retractable into the storage base housing to allow trash bag boxes or rolls to be stored into or removed from the storage unit base. Additionally, the housing provides ample space for storage of tie wraps for securing the top of full trash bags during removal and replacement.

In one embodiment, the storage unit is provided as a separate unit, configured to install under a trash receptacle. In this embodiment, the storage unit top wall is attached to the base of the trash receptacle wall by means of a hook and loop fabric tape having an adhesive backing, as discussed earlier. Alternately, the storage unit may be more permanently attached to the trash receptacle base by use of a double back tape having adhesive applied to both sides.

In another embodiment, the storage unit and the trashcan are provided to the consumer as a single unit, wherein the top wall of the storage unit is permanently fixed to the base of the trash receptacle.

It is contemplated herein that the dispenser and storage unit in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein may be made from plastic materials, metal or a combination thereof using known or proprietary manufacturing processes and techniques. For example, the dispenser receiving member of FIG. 1-4 may be formed using an injection molding process or by use of a plastic extrusion, alternately the receiving member may be formed by use of an aluminum extrusion, or by use of commercially available preformed plastic or metallic extrused members. It is conceived for this invention that preferable materials include PVC, ABS, polycarbonate or polyurethane plastic as these materials are rather low in cost, durable and easily formed. Other materials, such as aluminum, cut for example from extruded stock, could be applied without deviating from the inventive disclosures presented herein.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, material, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser for trash bags, which comprises:

an elongated tubular trash bag receiving member having a generally rectangular cross section and two ends, the receiving member comprising: a back wall; and another wall having at least one slot there-through, the slot sized and positioned to permit dispensing of trash bags through the slot, the slot generally aligned to an elongation axis of the receiving member;

a means of removably attaching the receiving member back wall to an exterior wall of a trash receptacle.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least one end of the receiving member is closed by an end cap.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein at least one end cap is hingeably attached to the trash bag receiving member so as to provide a closeable access to the trash bag dispenser for replenishing trash bags.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the means of removably attaching comprises one or more sets of mating adhesively backed fabric strips, one strip of a set adhesively mounting to a trash can outer wall, and the other strip of the set adhesively mounting to the back wall of the receiving member, the strips in each set aligned and positioned to demountably engage and supportively mount the receiving member to the trash can using a conventional fabric hook and loop attachment method.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the elongated tubular receiving member has a major axis aligned through an elongated center of the tubular member; and wherein the dispenser is removably attached to the trash receptacle such that the major axis is in a horizontal position; and wherein the wall having the slot is opposite the back wall of the receiving member.

6. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the elongated tubular receiving member has a major axis aligned through an elongated center of the tubular member; and wherein the dispenser is removably attached to the trash receptacle such that the major axis is in a vertical position; and wherein the wall having the slot is opposite the back wall of the receiving member.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a plastic material selected from the set of PVC, ABS, polycarbonate, polyurethane plastic.

8. A storage unit base for a trash can, the storage unit sized to store one or more rolls of trash bags, the storage unit comprising:

a rectangular housing having: a bottom wall; a top wall sized to conform with and support a trash receptacle base; and a front wall having one or more sliding doors, the sliding doors retractable into the housing to allow bags to be removed for use.

9. The storage base unit of claim 8, further comprising:

a means to secure the top wall of the storage unit to the base of the trash receptacle.

10. The storage unit of claim 8, wherein the storage unit top wall is permanently fixed to the trash receptacle base, the storage unit and trash receptacle provided as a single unit.

11. A dispenser for trash bags designed to be secured to a side of a trash receptacle, the dispenser comprising:

an elongated tubular trash can liner receiving member having two ends, the receiving member comprising: a back wall, to be secured in a facing relationship to a side wall of the trash receptacle; and a top wall having a slot there-through, the slot sized to permit dispensing of trash bags from interior of the dispenser through the slot, the slot aligned in a parallel to an elongation axis of the receiving member;

an end cap secured to one end of the elogated receiving member so as to close the end; and

one or more sets of mating adhesively backed hook and loop fastener strips, one first strip of each set adhesively secured to the back wall of the receiving member, the remaining strip of each set adhesively secured to an outside wall of the trash receptacle, each remaining strip aligned and positioned to demountably and facingly engage the first strip of the set wherein the first and remaining strips demountably engage to supportively mount the dispenser to the trash receptacle.