Device and method for collecting matter into a container

Abstract

A device and method for collecting matter into a container. The device includes a passageway with an entrance and an exit. The passageway exit is removably affixed to the entrance of a collection container, such as a recyclable bag. The passageway entrance includes a lip projection with lateral wings upon which a user can stand. While standing on the lateral wings, a user can manually direct matter, such as dead leaves, into the collection container via the projecting lip of the device, thereby increasing work efficiency. Furthermore, the device can be collapsed or unfolded into a substantially flat configuration for ease of transport and storage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a method for collecting matter, such as dead leaves, by using a device that fits within the entrance of a horizontally oriented container, thereby allowing the user to stand on lateral wings of the device's projected lip to better guide matter into the container while securing the container to the ground.BACKGROUND[0002]As trash districts and municipalities become more environmentally conscious, plastic bags containing organic matter have become prohibited and are not accepted by trash haulers. One alternative solution is a recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, paper bag. Generally, this recyclable bag has a standard dimension of 16 inches length by 12 inches width by 35 inches height, with a 30 gallon / 50 pound capacity. However, the recyclable bag has several drawbacks.[0003]The most common method of bagging organic yard waste matter, such as leaves, before the plastic bag ban was to line a larger capacity gar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Due to widespread recycling efforts and ordinances, it is desirable to make yard waste collection more efficient. This can be accomplished by keeping the bag in a stationary position, reducing the failure of recyclable bags, increasing the resistance to compaction, making possible a greater capacity of leaves to be disposed of in each bag, and to help save time and user energy in the leaf collection process. The technical innovation and novelty of the present invention is demonstrated by the addition of the projected lip and lateral step wings to a frame that sits inside the bag entrance, thereby allowing the bag to remain in place during collection and compaction activities. This, in effect, changes the most common method of leaf collection into standardized bags from a vertical orientation to horizontal. Standing and raking leaves, grass clippings, or general yard waste directly into a container via the present invention potentially eliminates a step in the collection process and reduces the need to bend over, demonstrating an improvement in utility over the prior art. Additionally, the present invention alleviates physical strain of the user by reducing significant stress to the back and knees. In one embodiment, the rigid construction of the present invention protects the bag from failure. In another embodiment, the present invention is collapsible. In yet another embodiment, the present invention can be unfolded and returned to a flat form which can then be easily stored for later use. The technical innovation of the present invention is novel in that the prior art has no such reference or feature comparable to the combination of a projected lip and lateral step wings.

Problems solved by technology

As trash districts and municipalities become more environmentally conscious, plastic bags containing organic matter have become prohibited and are not accepted by trash haulers.

However, the recyclable bag has several drawbacks.

Loading the new recyclable bags is a less-efficient, energy-consuming process because leaves are raked into piles and then hand-loaded into smaller recyclable bags that do not always stay open or vertical.

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