PORTABLE BAG HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

A portable bag opening device for holding a disposable bag. This device includes a handle, a first bag mouth engaging portion that has an elongated body defining an open slot for receiving part of the bag mouth therein, and at least one bag mouth holding portion for assisting in maintaining the bag mouth part in the first bag mouth engaging portion with the bag in an open position to receive contents therein. The bag mouth part is removable from the first bag mouth engaging portion for disposal of the bag after contents are placed therein. The device also includes a second bag mouth engaging portion comprising a flexible strip attachable to the bag mouth on the perimeter thereof opposite that of the first bag mouth engaging portion. Also, a kit that includes components for forming the a portable bag opening device and a method of using the same.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/287,465, filed Dec. 17, 2009, and U.S. Patent Application No. 61/316,265, filed Mar. 22, 2010, the entire content of each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable bag opening device for collecting refuse, yard waste, or construction debris. Specifically, the invention relates to device that is capable of holding a disposable bag which stays open when in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When using disposable bags, it is usually difficult to perform other functions, such as collecting waste, raking leaves, or picking up trash, while trying to keep the mouth of the bag open at the same time. If the mouth of the bag collapses when one is attempting to load the bag with leaves or refuse, some or all of the debris may miss the bag opening and end up on the ground or floor, thereby causing frustration and the need to duplicate the effort. One solution is to simply use one hand for placing the debris into the bag, while using the other hand to hold the bag open. When the bag is completely empty, this may not even work, as two hands are often required to hold the bag open. Furthermore, if only a small handful of debris may be lifted and placed in the bag at one time, the job will take much longer than if both hands could be used.

To keep from dropping the waste or debris all over the floor or ground, some people will hold the bag in a horizontal position, rather than vertically upright. When such bags are used in a horizontal position, it is also difficult to sweep or rake refuse or debris into the bag because the mouth does not stay open in this position either. Again, the solution is generally to hold the bag open with one hand while sweeping or raking with the other hand. Using the bag in this manner can be very inefficient.

The current unstructured mouth openings of polymeric bags available to consumers are difficult to load in both the horizontal and vertical positions without containers or stands while performing tasks.

Common tasks that are most difficult to perform with available unstructured bags include loading trash, leaves, landscape, and construction debris. Users are constantly stopping to try to hold the bag open with one hand and loading the bag with the other, a task that is time and motion inefficient and usually very unsuccessful until the bag is ¼-½ full.

Additionally, many individuals have problems with their backs, which makes constantly bending to open the bag not only time consuming, but also painful. Many businesses lose a great deal of labor to back injuries and related ailments each year.

To hold bags open in an upright position, various stands have been developed. The bag must be loaded into such a stand, and then lifted out of the stand when full. If the stands are made of metal, they may rip a polymeric or paper bag when it is lifted out. The bag may fall from such stands during loading as well.

Several patents disclose attempts to solve the bag opening problem.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,911 discloses a combined hanger and bag with the hanger being substantially triangular and comprising congruent parallel frame members with snap extensions on one member and corresponding openings on the other member so that the two members may be snapped together.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,871 relates to an improved, hand-held device for the picking up of animal waste in a clean, hygienic manner using a scooping device and a fold-lock-top sandwich bag as the receptacle for the waste material.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,920 discloses a rim secured to a handle with the lower edge of the rim including a lip which assists in the pick-up of waste, and a bag for catching the waste which is suspended from the rim.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,073 relates to a shovel and bag assembly for scooping animal refuse deposited by a pet animal, with the shovel comprising a handle, a spaded loop including a spade with a protruding leading edge, a first and second support arm for the spade, a base, and a first and second extended corner.

The prior invention of the inventor, in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/735,240, filed Apr. 13, 2007 relates to a bag for collecting waste and refuse. The bag disclosed is for collecting waste and refuse, which includes solid edges and a handle for keeping the bag open.

Despite these known methods and devices, there still is a need for improved bag holders to main a disposable bag in opening position which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable bag opening device for holding a disposable bag which has an opening that defines the mouth of the bag. This device comprises a handle, a first bag mouth engaging portion comprising an elongated body defining an open slot configured and dimensioned to receive part of the bag mouth therein, and at least one bag mouth holding portion for assisting in maintaining the bag mouth part in the first bag mouth engaging portion with the mouth of the bag in an at least partial open position to receive contents therein. The bag mouth part is removable from the first bag mouth engaging portion for disposal of the bag after contents are placed therein.

Advantageously, the handle has at least a partial open portion to allow grasping by a user or hanging of the device from a support. The handle may be configured with a closed loop shape, which generally is oval or round, for superior strength. The handle may also be configured with an open loop shape, to be openable and reclosable to allow the user to attach the handle to objects.

The handle and the first bag mouth engaging portion each typically comprise a stem portion in mutual engagement. These stem portions may be integral with one another, thereby providing a fixed-length stem. Further embodiments have stem portions which are engageable in any one of a plurality of lockable positions to provide a selective length between the handle and the first bag mouth engaging portion. The stem portions can also be configured to be telescopically engageable with the plurality of lockable positions provided by a depressible button on one stem portion and a plurality of holes on the other stem portion.

To easily attach the bag to the device, the open slot is longitudinal. The bag mouth holding portion can be configured in any one of a number of arrangements to secure the bag mouth part to the handle. In one embodiment, the bag mouth holding portion comprises at least two tab members spaced along the elongated body below the open slot for receiving the bag mouth part to further keep the bag mouth in the open position. Alternatively, the bag mouth holding portion comprises at least one tab member positioned on the elongated body and providing a protrusion around which a portion of the bag mouth can be wrapped after passing through the slot to help secure the bag to the body. The protrusion can extend upwardly towards the handle or downwardly if positioned below the threading slot.

The bag mouth holding portion can instead comprise at least one additional threading slot positioned at the end of the body and which is configured and positioned to engage the bag mouth part that is pulled through the open slot to help secure the bag to the body.

Two additional threading slots are preferably provided, one at each end of the body, wherein each threading slot first and second channels oriented at an obtuse angle.

In another embodiment, the bag mouth holding portion may comprise at least one hinged arm that is reversibly engageable with the bag mouth part after the bag mouth part is pulled through the threading slot. The bag mouth holding portion can instead comprise at least one arm member that is reversibly engageable with the bag mouth part using push clips after the bag mouth part is pulled through the threading slot and positioned beneath the arm member. For convenience, the bag mouth holding portion comprises two tabs, channels, or arm members, one located at either end of the body of the first bag mouth engaging portion.

In an additional embodiment, the open longitudinal slot can include an arcuate or curved recess to further ease insertion of the bag through the slot. This additional open area also can allow the user's finger to pass through the slot for pushing the bag into and through the slot.

Preferably, both the handle and the first bag mouth engaging portion are made of a lightweight material, such as plastics, composites, fiber products, or lightweight metallic alloys.

The portable bag opening device advantageously comprises a second bag mouth engaging portion of a flexible strip attachable to the bag mouth on the perimeter thereof opposite that of the first bag mouth engaging portion, wherein the second bag mouth engaging portion has sufficient rigidity to keep the mouth of the bag in an open position when in use and is removable from the bag for disposal when the bag is full. The second bag mouth engaging portion includes a projecting lip that projects over the mouth of the bag and which pivots about an axis such to engage a flat surface to provide a ramp guide for contents which are to be placed into the bag. The second bag mouth engaging portion is formed of a plastic, composite or fiber-based material and includes at least one foldable tab member for attaching the second bag mouth engaging portion to the bag mouth in a position opposite that of the first bag mouth engaging portion. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides for the ramp guide to be coated or made from a harder material. In yet another embodiment, arcuate or curved slots are provided for attachment to the bag. As the edge of the bag is placed through the slots, it causes the slot to expand. This expansion provides a reaction force which clamps the bag to the second bag mouth engaging portion.

To provide sufficient opening of the bag mouth, the open slot is longitudinal and engages at least 10 to 50% of the perimeter of the bag mouth. Typically, this slot should engage around 20 to 33% of the bag mouth perimeter. This engagement is achieved by pulling the bag mouth through the open slot and then securing that part to the bag mouth holding portion. For example, the bag mouth part can be wrapped around the tab member or members. Alternatively, the bag mouth part can be pulled through the open slot and then through the additional threading slot or slots to attach the bag to the body.

The invention also provides a kit for holding a disposable bag open comprising one of the inventive bag opening devices therein. The kit may optionally contain one or more bags sized to be compatible with the first bag mouth engaging portion. Another embodiment of the kit may include a plurality of bags or handles of different sizes, or of both such plurality of bags and handles.

The invention further provides a method for holding a disposable bag open using any of the portable bag opening devices of the invention. Generally, this method comprises providing a portable bag opening device as disclosed herein, passing part of the bag mouth of a disposable bag through the open slot, and securing that part of the bag mouth around the first bag mouth engaging portion to assist in holding the bag in an open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood in relation to the attached drawings illustrating preferred embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a handle and a bag mouth engaging portion having multiple threading slots;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a handle and a bag mouth engaging portion of FIG. 1 in engagement with a bag;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention showing a handle and a bag mouth engaging portion that includes multiple bag mouth receiving slots;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show details of the second bag mouth engaging portion that is usable with the first bag mouth engaging portion of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of two first bag mouth engaging portions mounted on opposite sides of the bag to enable a user to hold the bag open for filling by others;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a handle and a bag mouth engaging portion having linear threading slots;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a handle and a bag mouth engaging portion having downwardly facing tabs that are located beneath the threading slot;

FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a handle and a bag mouth engaging portion having hinged U-channel arms;

FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a handle and a bag mouth engaging portion having arms that hold the bag when secured thereto using push clips;

FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a handle and a bag mouth engaging portion with upwardly extending tabs positioned above the threading slot;

FIG. 11 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a handle, stem and bag mouth engaging portion as a single integral piece with the addition of a arcuate or curved recess within the slot;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention showing a variation of the device of FIG. 6 having a shortened handle and the bag mouth engaging portion of FIG. 7 and further including an arcuate or curved recess within the slot; and

FIG. 13 is a top view of a further embodiment of the second bag mouth engaging portion of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now provides an easy to use bag opening device that can be manipulated with one hand to hold the bag open so that the user can fill the bag using his or her other hand. Furthermore, the device can be mounted on a hook so that the user does not have to hold the bag while filling it. In certain embodiments, the handle can be configured to allow for opening and closing of the handle. This would then allow the handle to be placed for example on lines or poles, allowing the user to use both hands to fill the bag.

The handle attaches to the top or terminal opening of the bag and enables the user to hold the bag open in a horizontal and/or vertical position for tasking and loading. This handle also allows the user to hold or hang the bag in a vertical or upright or position to form a container for trash or storage. When hung in a vertical position, the mouth of the bag remains open for allowing the user to easily toss debris into the open bag. The adjustable handle also enables the user to carry the bag easily while performing mobile tasks. This is perfect for use in residential cleaning and storage, by laborers, e.g., with sand bagging efforts, or for maintenance crews performing mobile tasks.

One can also attach one or more additional handles to the bag for better control of the opening. For example, attaching handles to two positions, e.g., to both the left and right sides of the bag at the top opening, enables tandem working with one person holding the bag open with the handles and another person filling it with contents.

The flat sweeping edge attaches to the bottom of the bag opening (i.e., the opposite side to where the handle is attached) allowing the user to rake, sweep and/or shovel debris therein.

The invention is also ‘Green’ in that all pieces of the device are designed to be reusable. They are removed from a filled bag and optionally cleaned before reuse on another bag. As they are made of plastic, they can simply be hosed off for outdoor use or placed in the dishwasher for cleaning before re-use again and again for any number of chores.

There are a number of preferred applications for the device and bag:

Residential: Trash and storage receptacle

Commercial/Business: Food service businesses office buildings and construction sites

Storage: The hook feature provides safer off-the-floor storage

Portable Receptacles For laborers and maintenance crews

Sand Bagging Efforts: By applying two handles to the top left and right side of the bag opening, as in FIG. 5, the user will be able to hold the bag open while others can fill the bag with sand. Typical sad bags are sized around 14″ by 26″ and can hold around 40 to 50 pounds of sand. The handle can simply be held up with the bag touching the ground to assist in supporting the weight of the sand as the bag is being filled. This makes the loading effort easier and much more time efficient.

Events: Bags with the device of the invention useful where permanent receptacles are not available. Attachment of the device to the bag allows the bag to be conveniently hung from a support member of choice. Thus the device can be securely supported by a pole or door knob, without risk of damaging the bag.

In the case of using the bag for construction work, the bag becomes a labor and injury reducing system by simply hanging the bag in the vertical position. Work crews can then place a wheel cart under each bag and unhook each bag letting it fall into the cart. This allows work crews to fill a bag without holding it, and then dispose of it without carrying it to a wheel cart. Thus the system alleviates the possibility of injuries by allowing work crews to fill the bag without needing to hold it. Additionally the system is much more time efficient by eliminating the time needed to carry the bag over to a wheel cart. It is also possible for the user to hold the handle with one hand to place the second bag mouth engaging portion near the floor or ground to enable contents to be pushed into the bag using their other hand. Again, the user does not have to bend over as often, reducing stress and strain on their lower back.

The device is preferably made of lightweight material, such as plastic. The various components of the device can be made of a single part or it can be made of multiple parts when additional features, such as an elongated length, are desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the bag opening device 1 of the present invention is made of two portions as illustrated herein. FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the handle portion 10 has an open loop 11 having a shape such as oval or round or any other shape that is suitable for grasping by the hand of a user. This handle has an open slot 18 so that the handle can be opened for attaching the device to a post, doorknob, line or other object. Open slot 18 may also be configured in any other appropriate manner to enable the opening and closing of the handle.

Examples of configurations that can be used are a snap connection, latch, clamp or any other configuration that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill. The handle portion also has a stem 12, which is configured to have a plurality of holes 13,14,15, 16 (four holes are shown as an example), which lock in a position in alignment with a depressible button 17 on the stem 22 of the first bag mouth engaging portion 20. Although such types of connections are known, they are of advantageous use in the present invention. One stem portion, such as that of the handle, can contain the button or buttons while the other portion can contain the holes. Of course, the reverse is also possible. This embodiment can have a length of about 18 inches when fully extended, but this could vary between 6 to 24 inches or other as desired. While four holes are shown, it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that more or less can be provided as desired.

The stem portions can be engageable in a number of ways, such as channels, grooves, telescopically, tongue-and-groove or any other way known in the art by one of ordinary skill. For example, the stems 12 and 22 can have a tongue-and-groove arrangement using the buttons and holes to maintain the parts in engagement in a fixed position, or they can be configured as tubes that are telescopically engageable, again with the buttons and holes to maintaining the parts in engagement in a desired fixed position. The various fixed positions that are selectable enable the overall length of the device to be adjustable as desired to accommodate users of different heights or to enable mounting upon support structures of different heights.

The bag mouth engaging portion 20 also includes an elongated body 30 defining an open slot 29 configured and dimensioned to receive a portion of the bag mouth 26 therein. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag mouth portion 26 is initially pulled through the slot 29 to hold that part of the bag mouth. In FIGS. 11 and 12, arcuate or curved recess 103 are utilized to aid in the passing of bag mouth portion 26 through slot 29. After passing through the slot, the bag mouth part 26 then is lulled through additional threading slots 27 to help secure the bag to the bag opening device. The additional threading slots 27 help prevent the bag mouth part from sliding back out of slot 29 as the bag is filled with contents. To further assist in preventing the bag mouth part 26 from detaching from the device, the additional threading slots 27 are provided on each end of the body of the first bag mouth engaging portion 20 and have the configuration of dual channels arranged at an angle. Two channels at each end are shown in FIG. 1, but a skilled artisan will readily observe that multiple channels orientated at various angles can be used without departing from the invention. The channels can also be arcuate, serpentine or any other configuration, but the simple angled straight channels have been found to be the easiest to manufacture while still providing the necessary holding power for the bag mouth. This arrangement also helps maintain the mouth of the bag in an at least partial open position to receive the contents therein.

Regarding the size of the device, as a preferred example, for a bag having a volume of about 45 gallons and a perimeter of the bag mouth of around 5 or 6 feet, the body portion can have a length of 8.5 inches and a total open slot length of about 6 to 7 inches. The additional channel members can be 3 to 4 inches long with each channel being around 1.5 to 2 inches in length.

To provide the bag opening device 1 with a disposable bag 2 attached, a portion of the mouth of the disposable bag 26 is pulled through the open slot 29 of the elongated body 30 and is then pulled through the threading slots 27 to attach the bag to the device. While specifically preferred dimensions are shown above, variations to these specific dimensions can be made depending upon the size of the bag. The additional threading slots 27 can be designed with a change in direction as shown, or as arcuate, to provide better grabbing and securement of the bag mouth in the slots.

For the other figures, like components to FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same numerals. FIG. 3 shows an alternative bag engaging portion while FIGS. 4A-4B and 12 show further details of the second bag mouth engaging portion.

FIGS. 3 and 10 show a similar device except one that uses tab members 28 positioned on the elongated body 30 for providing a protrusion around which a portion of the bag mouth can be wrapped. Although two tab members 28 are shown, at least one tab member 28 is used. When lighter material is to be collected in the bag, or when it is desirable to simply hand the bag in a partially open position, one tab member is generally sufficient. For a more open bag mouth, two tab members are preferred. For very large bags, one or more additional tab members can be provided in accordance with the present invention although two spaced tab members are generally sufficient.

In this embodiment, to attach a disposable bag 2 to the bag opening device 1, a portion of the mouth of the disposable bag 26 is pulled through the open slot 29 of the elongated body 30 as discussed above but then it is wrapped around the two tab members 28 to help secure the bag to the bag opening device, with the mouth of the bag in an at least partial open position to receive contents therein.

For a bag engagement device length of 8.5 inches and a total open slot length of about 6 to 7 inches, the tab members can be an inch or two in height and width. Thus, the tab members are thus conveniently spaced apart by 7 to 8 inches for that embodiment. The preferred spacing between the tab members can be determined by routine testing by a skilled artisan depending upon the size of the bag to be held.

For a 13 gallon bag, for example, a smaller device can be used as shown in FIG. 6. Here, the two portions of the device manufactured as a single piece such that stem portions 12 and 22 form an integral stem 60 between the handle 50 and the bag mouth receiving portion 70. The bag mouth receiving portion 70 in this embodiment is shorter than for the two piece devices used with larger bags. Also, the additional threading slots 75 can be elongated and straight as well as shorter than the additional threading slots 27 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2. Handle 50 has opening 55 for attachment to objects as in the other embodiments.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second bag mouth opening portion 40 assists in keeping the bag mouth 26 open due to its placement opposite the first bag mouth engaging portion 30. It has a length sufficient to hold that part of the bag mouth open, such as around 18 inches for the 45 gallon bag shown. Of course, the length could be tailored for any particular bag size or for the type of material that is to be directed into the bag. The second bag mouth engaging portion can be attached to the bag with the use of tab members 45 that can be bent to engage the bag mouth as clips, as shown in FIG. 4B. For ease of placement of this component in a kit, the second bag mouth engaging portion 40 can include score lines 35 so that it can be folded to fit in a smaller receptacle, such as kit box or container. Also, the score lines 35 can assist in forming “wings” by folding up the outer portions of the portion 40 to configure a chute to facilitate movement of material into the bag. In this embodiment, it is possible for a person to use one arm to hold the bag by the device handle 11 and lower the second bag mouth engaging portion 40 to contact the ground to facilitate the sweeping of contents in the bag. Of course one person can hold the bag in this manner while another person sweeps the contents into the bag.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bag with two bag opening devices 1 attached thereto. This enables one person to hold the bag open while another person or persons can fill the bag with material. Alternatively, the two handles can be attached to two different supports to help hold the bag open and in an upright position to facilitate filling of the contents therein.

In FIGS. 7-9, like components to FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same numerals.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment similar to FIG. 3, but where the tab members 28A and 28b are positioned below the slot 29 and face downwardly. This alternative use of the tab members results in a secure attachment of the bag to the device.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment, this one having two U-channel arms 80 which are pivotable about pin 85. These channel arms 80 are initially pivoted upwards as shown. After the bag mouth 26 is pulled through slot 29, it is pulled over the top of body 30 and then the arms 80 are pivoted back upon the bag mouth portion to hold it on the body member 30. The arms 80 have a downwardly facing U shape that engages the body 30 and securely holds the bag mouth therein.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment, this one having two detached U-channel arms 90. After the bag mouth 26 is pulled through slot 29, it is pulled over the top of body 30 and the arms 90 are pressed onto the body to hold the bag mouth between it and the body member 30. The arms 80 have a downwardly facing U shape that engages the body 30 and push clips 95 are also provided to securely hold the bag mouth thereon.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment similar to that in FIG. 10. Bag opening device 100 utilizes a closed loop handle 100 as well as integral stem 60. By making the bag opening device as one unified part, with no opening on the handle, the device becomes stronger and more rigid. Thus, the device can be made of a lightweight material yet can still carry heavier loads. Additionally, the reduced complexity reduces production costs, thereby lowering the price of the device. The device also differs from the other embodiments illustrated by providing an arcuate or curved recess 103 in slot 29. This recess 103 allows for easier insertion of the bag portion 26 into and through slot 29, while also providing an open area for the user to push the bag through the slot with his or her finger. The particular size and shape of the recess is not critical although it is shown as curved or arcuate to provide a smooth transition which does not present sharp corners that can represent stress raisers in the structure. If desired, the recess can be rectangular or triangular without departing from the desired function provided that the material is formulated to be sufficiently strong to avoid producing a stress-raising point which causes the part to crack or break as greater stress is put on the part due to re-use.

FIG. 12 is a modified version of the device in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, bag opening device 50 in FIG. 6 has the bag mouth receiving portion 70 switched out for that of the bag mouth receiving portion 30 of the device in FIG. 7. Furthermore, slot 65 has an arcuate or curved recess 103 added for easier insertion of the bag portion 26 as in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is another preferred embodiment of the second bag mouth engaging portion. In this embodiment, the second bag mouth engaging portion 120 has two edges 121 and 122. Edge 121 is to be placed facing towards the inside of the bag. This can be indicated by use of an arrow, wording and any combination thereof. Edge 122 is to be used to provide a ramp guide for material swept towards the bag mouth. Thus edge 122 guides material from the surface it is resting on into the bag, as the material is swept towards it. Optionally, while the rest of the second bag mouth engaging portion 120 is made of a light weight material, such as plastic, composites or fiber-based materials, edge 122 may be coated or made of a harder material, to prolong the life of second bag mouth engaging portion 120. Slots 128a and 128b are provided to receive the bag portion 26. As bag portion 26 is inserted through slots 128a and 128b, this causes the slots to enlarge. This enlargement produces a reaction force which then allows the edges of slots 128a and 128b to clamp bag portion 26 inside the respective slot.

After the bag has received contents and is full or the cleanup exercise is otherwise completed, the bag mouth perimeter is simply untangled or unwrapped from the tabs and the bag mouth part is removed from the slot so that bag and contents can be discarded. The component parts of the device of the invention can then be reused on other bags.

As noted herein, the components of the device can be provided in a kit. The components can include those necessary to make the device. If desired, a plurality of handles of different sizes or lengths can be included, along with one or more bags sized to be compatible with the first bag mouth engaging portion.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact configuration as illustrated and described herein. For example, although the bag mouth engaging portions are shown in a linear configuration, they can be arcuate to engage the bag mouth perimeter. This contributes to the maintenance of the open position, but it is not necessary for the two components to fully engage the bag mouth perimeter, nor do they need to contact each other or join together. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure set forth herein, or by routine experimentation therefrom, are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable bag opening device for holding a disposable bag which has an opening that defines the mouth of the bag, comprising:

a handle;

a first bag mouth engaging portion comprising an elongated body defining an open slot configured and dimensioned to receive part of the bag mouth therein; and

at least one additional bag mouth holding portion for assisting in maintaining the bag mouth part in the bag mouth engaging portion with the mouth of the bag in an at least partial open position to receive contents therein,

wherein the bag mouth part is removable from the first bag mouth engaging portion for disposal of the bag after contents are placed therein.

2. The portable bag opening device of claim 1, wherein the handle has at least an partial open portion to allow grasping by a user or hanging of the device from a support, with the handle configured with a closed loop shape that is oval or round and is further configured to be openable and reclosable to allow the user to attach the handle to objects, or the handle is configured with an open loop shape which is sufficiently stiff to not excessively deflect when supporting a loaded bag and is sufficiently flexible to allow the user to attach the handle to objects.

3. The portable bag opening device of claim 1, wherein the handle and the first bag mouth engaging member each comprise a stem portion in mutual engagement, wherein the stem portions are engageable in any one of a plurality of lockable positions to provide a selective length between the handle and the first bag mouth engaging portion.

4. The portable bag opening device of claim 3, wherein the stem portions are configured to be telescopically engageable with the plurality of lockable positions provided by a depressible button on one stem portion and a plurality of holes on the other stem portion.

5. The portable bag opening device of claim 1, wherein the open slot is longitudinal and the first bag mouth holding portion comprises at least one tab member positioned on the elongated body and providing a protrusion around which a portion of the bag mouth can be wrapped after passing through the slot to help secure the bag to the body.

6. The portable bag opening device of claim 1, wherein the open slot is longitudinal and wherein the first bag mouth engaging portion comprises at least two tab members spaced along the elongated body below the open slot for receiving the bag mouth part to further keep the bag mouth in the open position.

7. The portable bag opening device of claim 1, wherein the open slot is longitudinal and the bag mouth holding portion comprises either one additional threading slot positioned at the end of the body and configured and positioned to engage the bag mouth part that is pulled through the open slot to help secure the bag to the body or two additional threading slots with one provided at each end of the body, and wherein each threading slot is arcuate or comprises first and second channels oriented parallel to or at an obtuse angle to the longitudinal open slot.

8. The portable bag opening device of claim 1, wherein the open slot is longitudinal and the bag mouth holding portion comprises at least one hinged arm that is reversibly engageable with the bag mouth part after the bag mouth part is pulled through the threading slot.

9. The portable bag opening device of claim 1, wherein the open slot is longitudinal and the bag mouth holding portion comprises at least one arm member that is reversibly engageable with the bag mouth part using push clips after the bag mouth part is pulled through the threading slot and positioned beneath the arm member.

10. The portable bag opening device of the claim 1, wherein both the handle and the first bag mouth engaging portion are made of plastic, composite material, fiber-based material lightweight metallic alloy and any combination thereof.

11. The portable bag opening device of the claim 1, further comprising a second bag mouth engaging portion comprising a flexible strip attachable to the bag mouth on the perimeter thereof opposite that of the first bag mouth engaging portion, wherein the second bag mouth engaging portion has sufficient rigidity to keep the mouth of the bag in an open position when in use and is removable from the bag for disposal when the bag is full.

12. The portable bag opening device of the claim 11, wherein the second bag mouth engaging portion includes a projecting lip that projects over the mouth of the bag and which pivots about an axis such to engage a flat surface to provide a ramp guide for contents which is are to be placed into the bag.

13. The portable bag opening device of the claim 12, wherein the second bag mouth engaging portion is formed of a plastic, composite or fiber-based material and includes at least one foldable tab member for attaching the second bag mouth engaging portion to the bag mouth in a position opposite that of the first bag mouth engaging portion, with the ramp guide of the second bag mouth engaging portion optionally coated with a harder material or optionally made from a harder material than that of the rest of the second bag mouth engaging portion.

14. The portable bag opening device of the claim 12, wherein the second bag mouth engaging portion further comprises of slots dimensioned and configured to allow a portion of the bag mouth opening to be inserted and removed from the slots while also providing a clamping force on the portion of the bag mouth opening within the slots.

15. A kit for holding a disposable bag open comprising components for forming a portable bag opening device according to claim 1 and optionally one or a plurality of bags of the same or different sizes, with the bags sized to be compatible with the first bag mouth engaging portion of the bag opening device and optionally a plurality of handles of different sizes.

16. A method for holding a disposable bag open comprising:

providing a portable bag opening device according to claim 1,

passing part of the bag mouth of a disposable bag through the open slot, and

securing that part of the bag mouth around the first bag mouth engaging portion to assist in holding the bag in an open position.

17. A method for holding a disposable bag open comprising:

providing a portable bag opening device kit according to claim 15 which also contains one or more disposable bags,

passing part of the bag mouth of a disposable bag from the kit through the open slot, and

securing that part of the bag mouth around the first bag mouth engaging portion to assist in holding the bag in an open position.