Self-Standing Bag

Abstract

A bag including a resilient support that can stand upright independently and is encased in flexible sheet material. The support is elastically deformed and tensions the sheet material as the support attempts to return to an undeformed condition. The bag can be provided with a cover and handles as well as an arrangement for inhibiting tipping or displacement of the bag.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a bag that is self-supporting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Conventional trash bags typically consist of a thin layer of plastic and are supplied in a folded condition. When such a trash bag is unfolded and opened, the bag collapses and closes upon being released thereby making it difficult to fill the bag. To facilitate filling of a trash bag, the bag is held open by placing it in a container or suspending it on some other type of support.

In order to eliminate the need for a container or other support capable of holding a trash bag open, a self-supporting trash bag has been developed. This self-supporting trash bag consists of a flexible frame enclosed in a thin layer of plastic. The frame, which is made of metal wire, can be folded or rolled for packaging. When the self-supporting bag is to be used, the arms are inserted in the bag and spread, thus causing the wire frame to expand and the bag to open. Once the wire frame has been expanded, the wire frame is able to hold the bag open and support the latter in an upright position.

While the self-supporting bag represents a definite advance over earlier trash bags, improvements in ease of handling, stability and trash retention would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention resides in a self-standing bag. The bag comprises a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between the ends, and the support is adapted to stand upright independently on a first one of its ends when such end rests on a horizontal surface. The bag further comprises flexible sheet material enclosing the support substantially in its entirety, and the sheet material defines a collection space in the interior space of the support. The collection space has an opening at the second end of the support for the insertion of articles in the collection space.

One embodiment of the bag additionally comprises a handle connected to the support.

In another embodiment of the bag, the collection space is provided with a cover in the region of its opening. The cover can include flexible sheet material and a slit through such material.

An additional embodiment of the bag further comprises means for holding the support in place. The holding means can include a compartment and a weighting substance in the compartment. Alternatively, the holding means may include a flap having a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface.

The support can comprise a first endless element at the first end of the support and a second endless element at the second end of the support. Each of the endless elements surrounds the interior space of the support, and the endless elements are joined to one another by a plurality of elongated elements. The second endless element may be formed with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof.

Instead of two endless elements connected to each other by a plurality of elongated elements, the support can comprise a coil spring.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be forthcoming from the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, partly broken away view of a bag in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame, which forms part of the bag of FIG. 1, in an undeformed condition.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 2 in a deformed condition.

FIG. 4 is an elevational, partly broken away view of another bag according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a coil spring, which forms part of the bag of FIG. 4, in an undeformed condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 identifies a bag in accordance with the invention. The bag 10 is elongated and has spaced, opposed longitudinal ends 12 and 14 of which the end 12 can be considered to constitute an upper end of the bag 10 and the end 14 can be considered to constitute a lower end of the bag 10. The bag 10 is self-standing or self-supporting in that the bag 10 is capable of standing upright on the lower bag end 14 independently, i.e., without assistance, when the lower bag end 14 rests on a horizontal surface.

Considering FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the bag 10 comprises an elongated frame or support 16 which is entirely, or virtually entirely, enclosed by or encased in flexible sheet material 18. The sheet material 18 can be plastic sheet of the type employed in conventional trash bags.

The frame 16 has spaced, opposed longitudinal ends 20 and 22, and the frame end 20 adjoins the upper end 12 of the bag 10 while the frame end 22 adjoins the lower end 14 of the bag 10. Accordingly, the frame end 20 will be considered to constitute an upper end of the frame 16 and the frame end 22 will be considered to constitute a lower end of the frame 16. The frame 16 is self-standing or self-supporting in that the frame 16 is capable of standing upright on the lower frame end 22 independently, i.e., without assistance, when the lower frame end 22 rests on a horizontal surface.

The frame 16 has an interior space 24 which runs from the lower frame end 22 to the upper frame end 20. The frame 16 includes an endless element 26 at the upper frame end 20 and an endless element 28 at the lower frame end 22, and each of the endless elements 26,28 circumscribes or surrounds the interior space 24 of the frame 16. The endless element 26 is here in the form of an annulus as is the endless element 28.

The annulus 26 and the annulus 28 are joined to one another by a number of elongated connecting or joining elements 30 running longitudinally of the frame 16. The connecting elements 30 bound the interior space 24 of the frame 16, and neighboring ones of the connecting elements 30 are spaced from each other circumferentially of the frame 16.

The annulus 26 is provided with two weakened areas 32 which are located diametrically opposite one another. The weakened areas 32 are here in the form of cuts or notches in the annulus 26.

The annuli 26,28 and the connecting elements 30 are preferably resilient or elastic. The terms “resilient” and “elastic” as used herein refer to an element which can undergo deformation visible to the human eye when subjected to stress and can reverse the deformation essentially in its entirety upon release of the stress. The annuli 26,28 and the connecting elements 30 are advantageously made from metal or plastic wire or from metal or plastic rod of small gauge.

FIG. 2 illustrates the frame 16 in an undeformed condition. In the undeformed condition of FIG. 2, the connecting elements 30 are straight.

When the frame 16 is encased in the sheet material 18, it is preferred for the frame 16 to be in a deformed condition shown in FIG. 3. In the deformed condition of FIG. 3, the connecting elements 30 are elastically bent so that they assume a curvature longitudinally of the frame 16. Due to the elasticity of the connecting elements 30, the connecting elements 30 are resiliently urged from the bent condition to the straight condition. This causes the sheet material 18 to be placed in tension thereby imparting added rigidity and stability to the bag 10.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the sheet material 18 of the bag 10 defines a collection space 34 within the interior space 24 of the frame 16. The collection space 34 functions to accumulate articles which are introduced into the bag 10.

The collection space 34 has an opening 36 at the upper end 12 of the bag 10, and the opening 36 serves for the insertion of articles into the collection space 34. The opening 36 is defined by the annulus 26 of the frame 16 and the sheet material 18 encasing the annulus 26.

A cover 38 for the collection space 34 is provided in or adjacent to the opening 36. The cover 38 here comprises flexible sheet material 40 which is supported by the annulus 26 of the frame 16 and spans the opening 36 of the collection space 34. A slit 42 in the sheet material 40 allows articles to be passed through the sheet material 40 into the collection space 34. Similarly to the sheet material 18, the sheet material 40 can be plastic sheet of the type employed in conventional trash bags.

Two handles 44 and 46 are mounted on the annulus 26 of the frame 16. The handles 44,46 are located diametrically opposite one another and can be used to easily lift the bag 10. The handle 44 is provided with a centrally situated aperture 48 while the handle 46 is provided with a centrally situated button or peg 50 which can snap into the aperture 48. The aperture 48 and the button 50 enable the handles 44,46 to be clipped to each other thereby facilitating handling of the bag 10. The aperture 48 and the button 50 are preferably designed so that the button 50 can be snapped out of the aperture 48 to separate the handles 44,46.

To inhibit tipping of the bag 10 or displacement of the bag 10 by wind, the bag 10 is provided with means for holding the bag 10 in place. The holding means here includes a chamber or compartment 52 at the lower end 14 of the bag 10. The chamber 52, which is isolated from the collecting space 34 and is located below the latter when the bag 10 is in its upright position, accommodates a weighting substance 54 which increases the weight of the lower bag end 14 to thereby inhibit tipping of the bag 10 or displacement of the bag 10 by wind. By way of example, the weighting substance 54 can be water or sand. The weighting substance 54 is here assumed to be water.

The weakened areas 32 of the annulus 26 can be considered to constitute folding or bending lines, and the weakened areas 32 make it possible to readily fold the annulus 26 to thereby close the upper end 12 of the bag 10.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the same numerals as in FIGS. 1-3, plus 100, are used to denote similar elements.

FIG. 4 shows a bag 110 which differs somewhat from the bag 10. In the bag 110, the frame 16 of the bag 10 is replaced by a coil spring 116 which is illustrated in FIG. 5 and is constituted by a compression spring.

The coil spring 116 is in an uncompressed or undeformed condition in FIG. 5. When the coil spring 116 is encased in the sheet material 118 of the bag 110, it is preferred for the coil spring 116 to be in a compressed or deformed condition. Since the coil spring 116 is resiliently urged towards its uncompressed condition, the sheet material 118 is placed in tension so that the rigidity and stability of the bag 110 are enhanced.

Like the bag 10, the bag 110 is provided with means for holding the bag 110 in place. However, instead of the compartment 52 and the weighting substance 54 of the bag 10, the holding means for the bag 110 comprises a tab or flap 156. The tab 156, which can be flexible, is located at the lower end 114 of the bag 110 and is supported by the coil spring 116. The tab 156 has a perforation 158, and a holding element 160 such as a spike or nail can be passed through the perforation 158 and driven into a surface to thereby anchor the bag 110. For instance, if the bag 110 is used outdoors, the holding element 160 could be driven into the ground. A grommet 162 can be inserted in the perforation 158 to reinforce the latter.

The cover 38 and the handles 44,46 of the bag 10 have here been omitted from the bag 110. However, it is possible to form the bag 110 with a cover and/or with handles.

The bags 10,110 have a variety of applications. Thus, the bags 10,110 can be employed as indoor trash bags, e.g., in homes, hospitals, office buildings and industrial buildings. The bags 10,110 can also be used as outdoor trash bags for the collection of refuse and yard debris. Moreover, it is possible to employ the bags 10,110 as storage bags.

The bags 10,110 can be disposable or reusable.

Various modifications are possible within the meaning and range of equivalence of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bag comprising:

a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between said ends, said support being adapted to stand upright independently on one of said ends when said one end rests on a horizontal surface;

flexible sheet material enclosing said support substantially in its entirety, said sheet material defining a collection space in said interior space, and said collection space having an opening at the other of said ends for the insertion of articles in said collection space; and

a handle connected to said support.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein said support comprises a first endless element at said one end and a second endless element at said other end, each of said endless elements surrounding said interior space, and said support further comprising a plurality of elongated elements joining said first endless element and said second endless element to one another, said second endless element being provided with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein said collection space is provided with a cover in the region of said opening, said cover including flexible sheet material and a slit through said flexible sheet material of said cover.

4. The bag of claim 1, further comprising means for holding said support in place.

5. The bag of claim 4, wherein said holding means comprises a flap in the region of said one end, said flap being provided with a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface.

6. The bag of claim 4, wherein said holding means comprises a compartment in the region of said one end and a weighting substance in said compartment.

7. A bag comprising:

a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between said ends, said support being adapted to stand upright independently on one of said ends when said one end rests on a horizontal surface;

flexible sheet material enclosing said support substantially in its entirety, said sheet material defining a collection space in said interior space, and said collection space having an opening at the other of said ends for the insertion of articles in said collection space; and

a cover for said collection space in the region of said other end.

8. The bag of claim 7, wherein said support comprises a first endless element at said one end and a second endless element at said other end, each of said endless elements surrounding said interior space, and said support further comprising a plurality of elongated elements joining said first endless element and said second endless element to one another, said second endless element being provided with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof.

9. The bag of claim 7, further comprising means for holding said support in place.

10. The bag of claim 9, wherein said holding means comprises a flap in the region of said one end, said flap being provided with a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface.

11. The bag of claim 9, wherein said holding means comprises a compartment in the region of said one end and a weighting substance in said compartment.

12. A bag comprising:

a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between said ends, said support being adapted to stand upright independently on one of said ends when said one end rests on a horizontal surface;

flexible sheet material enclosing said support substantially in its entirety, said sheet material defining a collection space in said interior space, and said collection space having an opening at the other of said ends for the insertion of articles in said collection space; and

means for holding said support in place.

13. The bag of claim 12, wherein said holding means comprises a flap in the region of said one end, said flap being provided with a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface.

14. The bag of claim 12, wherein said holding means comprises a compartment in the region of said one end and a weighting substance in said compartment.

15. The bag of claim 12, wherein said support comprises a first endless element at said one end and a second endless element at said other end, each of said endless elements surrounding said interior space, and said support further comprising a plurality of elongated elements joining said first endless element and said second endless element to one another, said second endless element being provided with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof.

16. The bag of claim 12, wherein said collection space is provided with a cover in the region of said opening, said cover including flexible sheet material and a slit through said flexible sheet material of said cover.

17. A bag comprising:

a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between said ends, said support being adapted to stand upright independently on one of said ends when said one end rests on a horizontal surface; and

flexible sheet material enclosing said support substantially in its entirety, said sheet material defining a collection space in said interior space, and said collection space having an opening at the other of said ends for the insertion of articles in said collection space, said support including a first endless element at said one end and a second endless element at said other end, and each of said endless elements surrounding said interior space, said support further including a plurality of elongated elements joining said first endless element and said second endless element to one another, and said second endless element being provided with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof.

18. The bag of claim 17, wherein said collection space is provided with a cover in the region of said opening, said cover including flexible sheet material and a slit through said flexible sheet material of said cover.

19. The bag of claim 17, further comprising means for holding said support in place.

20. The bag of claim 19, wherein said holding means comprises a flap in the region of said one end, said flap being provided with a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface.

21. The bag of claim 19, wherein said holding means comprises a compartment in the region of said one end and a weighting substance in said compartment.