Apparatus for collecting and handling yard debris utilizing a reusable receptable

Abstract

An apparatus for collecting and handling yard debris supports a flexible, reusable receptacle in an open configuration. The apparatus has a frame for supporting the receptacle, the frame having a shape that defines an opening through which the receptacle is draped, at least one straight member defining an opening for receiving the flexible receptacle, and a flexible, closed-loop member for securing the mouth of the receptacle to the frame. The frame also has at least two retaining surfaces extending from the frame for retaining the flexible, closed-loop member. The apparatus can be used as a tool to collect leaves or other yard debris directly. The receptacle has a hatch that can be opened to deposit the collected debris into another receptacle or other location.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 723,935 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING YARD DEBRIS, filed Mar. 15, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 118,988 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING YARD DEBRIS, filed May 12, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,708,236, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 403,571 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING YARD DEBRIS, filed Apr. 13, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,135; this application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 217,018 entitled REUSABLE BAG FOR AN APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING YARD DEBRIS, filed May 26, 2009.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates generally to the field of lawn and garden tools and, more particularly, to an apparatus for collecting and handling yard debris utilizing a reusable receptacle for easy ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Embodiments of the present invention described and claimed herein address at least some of the foregoing limitations and problems by an apparatus that supports a flexible, reusable receptacle in an open configuration for collecting and handling yard debris. The receptacle can have a hatch for easily transferring the debris to another receptacle or location and depositing the debris without having to flip the apparatus over. In one embodiment, an apparatus has a frame for supporting a flexible, reusable receptacle, the frame having a shape that defines an opening through which the flexible receptacle may be draped, at least one straight member defining an opening for receiving the receptacle, and a flexible, closed-loop member for securing the receptacle to the frame. The frame also has a plurality of retaining surfaces extending from the frame for retaining the flexible, closed-loop member. The closed-loop member holds the reusable receptacle on the frame. The reusable receptacle is generally bag-shaped and has a mouth that attaches to the frame. The receptacle can taper from the mouth at its top towards its bottom and it has a quick-empty hatch that can be opened at the bottom and / or along the side for easy transfer of debris. The taper helps to funnel the debris to effect a clean fill of a dumpster, compost bin, paper bag, barrel, etc. or to deposit the debris in another location. The hatch eliminates the need to flip the receptacle over in order to empty its contents quickly and cleanly with minimal lifting and manipulation due to the receptacle's built-in quick-empty hatch.

Problems solved by technology

Whereas raking is relatively straight-forward, bagging the leaves and debris is the part of the process that is time-consuming, back-breaking and dirty.

Plastic, or other flexible bags, generally will not support themselves in an open configuration, making such bags awkward to use and difficult to fill.

Although the '135 apparatus performs admirably with plastic bags, it can be difficult to use with paper bags.

Emptying plastic bags filled with yard debris into compost bins, burn-barrels, paper bags, dumpsters, or other receptacles without ripping, damaging, or depositing the plastic bag in the receptacle with the yard debris can be difficult.

Images