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

[0001]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[0002]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[0003]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 dupli...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]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.

[0017]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.

[0019]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.

[0023]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.

[0024]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.

[0028]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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

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.

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.

If the stands are made of metal, they may rip a polymeric or paper bag when it is lifted out.

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