US20030089719A1

US20030089719A1 - Garbage bag system

Info

Publication number: US20030089719A1
Application number: US10/146,519
Authority: US
Inventors: Travis Berger
Original assignee: FLASH BAGS LLC
Current assignee: FLASH BAGS LLC
Priority date: 2001-11-09
Filing date: 2002-05-13
Publication date: 2003-05-15

Abstract

A garbage bag system for facilitating efficient changing of garbage bags within a garbage container. The garbage bag system includes a plurality of nested bags positionable within a container and attachable to a securing member. The nested bags have at least one aperture, a perforation extending from the aperture, and a slit extending from the perforation to an edge of the nested bags thereby forming a tab portion. The aperture is formed for being positioned upon the securing member thereby preventing the nested bags from falling into the container. The aperture is preferably formed utilizing a hot pinning technique. To remove the inner most bag within the nested bags, the user grasps the tab portion and pulls upwardly thereby tearing the perforation which allows the bag to be removed from the securing member and disposed of.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/332,323 filed Nov. 9, 2001. The No. 60/332,323 application is currently pending. The No. 60/332,323 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to garbage bags and more specifically it relates to a garbage bag system for facilitating efficient changing of garbage bags within a garbage container.

2. Description of the Related Art

Garbage bags and containers have been in use for years. Garbage bags typically come within a storage box stacked upon one another for allowing individual removal of the garbage bags from the storage box. Once a bag is removed from the storage box, the individual must then position the garbage bag within the garbage container. When the garbage bag is filled with garbage, the individual must remove the garbage bag from the garbage container and then repeat the above stated process to install a new garbage bag within the garbage container.

The main problem with conventional garbage bags and containers is that they require a significant amount of time and labor to change a garbage bag. Another problem with conventional garbage bags is that the upper portions of the bags often times fall into the garbage container making it difficult to input garbage into the bag. A further problem with conventional garbage bags and containers is that they require the individual to locate the storage box containing the garbage bags which can sometimes be misplaced or lost.

Examples of patented devices which may be related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,087 to Burrows; U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,252 to Watkins; U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,553 to Mueller et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,576,310 to Isgar et al.; 4,558,800 to Isgar et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,740 to Courtemanche et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,340 to Preston; U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,704 to Light; U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,495 to Kubota; U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,239 to Triglia; U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,224 to Graham; U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,507 to Lemongelli et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,226 to Yurko; U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,694 to Nehrbass et al.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for facilitating efficient changing of garbage bags within a garbage container. Conventional garbage bag devices do not provide for efficient changing of garbage bags.

In these respects, the garbage bag system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of facilitating efficient changing of garbage bags within a garbage container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of garbage bags now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new garbage bag system construction wherein the same can be utilized for facilitating efficient changing of garbage bags within a garbage container.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new garbage bag system that has many of the advantages of the garbage bags and containers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new garbage bag system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art garbage bags, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plurality of nested bags positionable within a container and attachable to a securing member. The nested bags have at least one aperture, a perforation extending from the aperture, and a slit extending from the perforation to an edge of the nested bags thereby forming a tab portion. The aperture is formed for being positioned upon the securing member thereby preventing the nested bags from falling into the container. The aperture is preferably formed utilizing a hot pinning technique. To remove the inner most bag within the nested bags, the user grasps the tab portion and pulls upwardly thereby tearing the perforation which allows the bag to be removed from the securing member and disposed of.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a garbage bag system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

A second object is to provide a garbage bag system for facilitating efficient changing of garbage bags within a garbage container.

Another object is to provide a garbage bag system that decreases the amount of time required to change a garbage bag.

An additional object is to provide a garbage bag system that does not require using a storage box for dispensing individual garbage bags.

A further object is to provide a garbage bag system that decreases the amount of effort required to change a garbage bag.

Another object is to provide a garbage bag system wherein a plurality of nested garbage bags are properly positioned within a garbage container.

A further object is to provide a garbage bag system that reduces the chances of a garbage sagging into a garbage container.

Another object is to provide a garbage bag system that may be utilized upon existing or new garbage containers.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: [0026]
FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with the nested bags removed from the container. [0027]
FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with the nested bags properly positioned within the container with the securing member open. [0028]
FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with the nested bags properly positioned within the container with the clip member closed. [0029]
FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with the nested bags properly positioned within the container with the securing member closed and with a tab portion being lifted for tearing the perforation. [0030]
FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention illustrating the nested bags within the container with the securing members closed. [0031]
FIG. 6 is a magnified upper perspective view of the securing member in the open position. [0032]
FIG. 7[0033] a is an upper perspective view of the securing member in the closed position.
FIG. 7[0034] b is an upper perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the securing member.
FIG. 7[0035] c is an upper perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the securing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview [0036]
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 7[0037] c illustrate a garbage bag system 10, which comprises a plurality of nested bags 40 positionable within a container 20 and attachable to a securing member 30. The nested bags 40 have at least one aperture 42, a perforation 44 extending from the aperture 42, and a slit 46 extending from the perforation 44 to an edge of the nested bags 40 thereby forming a tab portion 48. The aperture 42 is formed for being positioned upon the securing member 30 thereby preventing the nested bags 40 from falling into the container 20. The aperture 42 is preferably formed utilizing a hot pinning technique. To remove the inner most bag within the nested bags 40, the user grasps the tab portion 48 and pulls upwardly thereby tearing the perforation 44 which allows the bag to be removed from the securing member 30 and disposed of.
B. Container [0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, a [0039] container 20 capable of receiving and supporting the nested bags 40 has at least one sidewall 26, a floor and an upper opening 22 exposing an interior 24 of the container 20. The container 20 may have various shapes and structures which are commonly utilized within the garbage industry. The container 20 may also be comprised of various types of materials including but not limited to plastic. The present invention may be installed upon a new container 20 or a previously existing container 20. The container 20 may be comprised of a permanent or disposable structure. A disposable container 20 may be comprised of a folding or non-folding structure.
C. Securing Members [0040]
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, at least one securing [0041] member 30 is attached to the outer surface of the container 20. A plurality of securing members 30 are preferably attached to the container 20 in various locations for providing additional support to the nested bags 40 during receiving and storage of garbage. The applicant has found that the preferred number of securing members 30 is two attached to opposing sides of the container 20 as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The securing member 30 is formed for extending through an aperture 42 within the nested bags 40 thereby maintaining the upper portion of the nested bags 40 overlapping the upper rim of the container 20 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5 of the drawings.
The securing [0042] member 30 may be comprised of various structures capable of extending through the aperture 42 within the nested bags 40 including but not limited to the securing members 30 illustrated in FIGS. 7a-c. FIGS. 6 and 7a illustrate a securing member 30 having a base member 32, a hinge portion 34 attached to the base member 32 and an arm member 36 extending from the hinge portion 34 in pivotal relation to the base member 32. The base member 32 may be attached to the container 20 via various attachment means such as but not limited to fasteners, adhesive tape, glue, bonding material or molded directly within the container 20 in a permanent manner. The arm member 36 has a width sufficient to pass through a respective aperture 42 within the nested bags 40. The hinge is preferably comprised of a thinner flexible portion of plastic material, however, various other hinge structures may be utilized. A handle member 39 is preferably extended from the distal portion of the arm member 36 as best shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings.
The [0043] base member 32 preferably includes a catch member 38 extending from an end opposite of the hinge portion 34. The catch member 38 preferably has a barbed structure that is catchably received by the receiver portion 37. The receiver portion 37 is attached to a distal portion of the arm member 36 in opposition to and aligned with the catch member 38 for catchably engaging the catch member 38. The receiver portion 37 preferably has a slot with a barbed structure that interlocks with the catch member 38 as best illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Various other engaging structures may be utilized upon the securing member 30 to facilitate locking of the securing member 30 within an aperture 42 within the nested bags 40.
FIGS. 7[0044] b-c illustrate alternative embodiments of the securing member 30. FIG. 7b illustrates the usage of a spring clip 50 with a spring base 52, a spring hinge 54 and a spring arm 56 similar to the securing member 30. The spring arm 56 is maintained in a biased angled positioned with respect to the spring base 52 which allows for the spring arm 56 to be opened for inserting through a respective aperture 42 within the nested bags 40 and then automatically closed upon the nested bags 40 when released.
FIG. 7[0045] c illustrates the usage of a post structure 60 having a post member 62 attached to the outer surface of the container 20. The post member 62 has an opening 64 that extends longitudinally within the post member 62 a finite distance for snugly receiving a shaft 66. Various securing structures may be utilized to maintain the shaft 66 within the opening 64 such as but not limited to tapered structures or frictional engagement. The shaft 66 preferably has a flanged portion 68 for maintaining the nested bags 40 upon the post structure 60. To utilize the post structure 60, the user removes the shaft 66 from the post member 62 and then positions a respective aperture 42 of the nested bags 40 upon the post member 62 and then attaches the shaft 66 within the opening 64. Wherein a disposable container 20 is utilized, the securing member 30 may be comprised of a member extending through the aperture 42 within the nested bags 40 and permanently attached to the container.
D. Nested Bags [0046]
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, the nested [0047] bags 40 are formed by a plurality of individual bags positioned about one another in an attached or non-attached manner. The nested bags 40 are comprised of an inner bag, an outer bag and a plurality of bags between the inner bag and the outer bag. The nested bags 40 may be comprised of any number of bags such as but not limited to 5, 10, 15 or more. The nested bags 40 may be comprised of various materials commonly utilized to construct garbage bags such as but not limited to plastic. The nested bags 40 are preferably removably attached to one another by an attaching means such as adhesive or heat sealing means.
The plurality of nested [0048] bags 40 includes at least one aperture 42 extending through an upper portion thereof as best illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The total number and location of the apertures 42 within the nested bags 40 depends upon the number and location of securing members 30 attached to the container 20. The aperture 42 may have various sizes and shapes sufficient to fit about and be retained by the securing member 30. The aperture 42 preferably extends through all of the plurality of bags comprising the nested bags 40. The aperture 42 if preferably formed by utilizing a hot pinning technique wherein a heated element melts through the nested bags 40 simultaneously thereby creating the desired aperture 42 and removably attaching the nested bags 40 to one another at the outer perimeter of the aperture 42. The removable attachment of the nested bags 40 to one another also reduces movement and maintains alignment of the nested bags 40. Various other methods may be utilized to create the aperture 42 within the nested bags 40.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, at least one [0049] perforation 44 extends from each aperture 42 within each the nested bags 40 a finite distance within each of the nested bags 40. The perforation 44 preferably is terminated a finite distance from the outer perimeter of the nested bags 40 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, however, the perforation 44 may extend to the outer perimeter of the nested bags 40.
The [0050] perforation 44 is preferably comprised of a plurality of holes extending within a straight manner, however, the perforation 44 may have various shapes such as but not limited to curved or the like. The perforation 44 extends preferably at a downward angle from the aperture 42 so as to prevent interference with the respective securing member 30 when tearing the perforation 44 as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. However, the perforation 44 may extend in a vertical or horizontal manner with respect to the aperture 42.
As further shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings, a [0051] slit 46 preferably extends from the outer perimeter of each of the nested bags 40 to adjacent the perforation 44. The slit 46 preferably is positioned a finite distance from the perforation 44 to prevent accidental tearing of the perforation 44. The slit 46 preferably extends into the nested bags 40 at an angle opposite of the angle of the perforation 44 thereby creating a tab portion 48 within each of the nested bags 40. The slit 46 may extend into the nested bags 40 at various angles and positions other than illustrated within the attached drawings. In addition, the tab portion 48 may have various shapes, sizes and structures as created by the slit 46. Alternatively, the tab portion 48 of each of the nest bags may be an extended portion from each of the nested bags 40 thereby not requiring a slit 46.
E. Operation [0052]
In use, the user first attaches the securing [0053] members 30 to the desired locations of the container 20 if modifying a pre-existing container 20. Once the securing members 30 are properly attached, the user then positions the nested bags 40 within the interior 24 of the container 20 through the upper opening 22 thereof and then overlaps the upper portion of the nested bags 40 about the upper perimeter of the container 20.
The user then aligns the [0054] apertures 42 of the nested bags 40 with each respective securing member 30. The user then opens each securing member 30 and extends the arm member 36 through each respective aperture 42 of the nested bags 40 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The user then closes each securing member 30 thereby preventing accidental removal of the nested bags 40 from the securing member 30 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The user is then able to input garbage into the inner bag of the nested bags 40 as they would a conventional garbage bag without affecting the other bags within the nested bags 40.
When the user desires to remove the garbage and change the garbage bag, the user simply grasps the [0055] outer tab portion 48 which corresponds to the inner bag and then lifts upwardly thereby tearing the perforation 44 as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The user continues this upward motion of the tab portion 48 until the perforation 44 is completely torn into the respective aperture 42 thereby allowing unobstructed removal of the inner bag from the remaining nested bags 40. The user removes the inner bag containing the garbage from the remaining nested bags 40 and the next bag then becomes the inner bag into which garbage is then input. This process continues until all bags within the nested bags 40 are disposed of, after which a new group of nested bags 40 are installed within the container 20 by repeating the above-stated procedure.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0056]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0057]

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.



Index of Elements for Garbage Bag System

□	ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□
□	10. Garbage Bag System
□	11.
□	12.
□	13.
□	14.
□	15.
□	16.
□	17.
□	18.
□	19.
□	20. Container
□	21.
□	22. Upper Opening
□	23.
□	24. Interior
□	25.
□	26. Sidewalls
□	27.
□	28.
□	29.
□	30. Securing Member
□	31.
□	32. Base Member
□	33.
□	34. Hinge Portion
□	35.
□	36. Arm Member
□	37. Receiver Portion
□	38. Catch Member
□	39. Handle Member
□	40. Nested Bags
□	41.
□	42. Aperture
□	43.
□	44. Perforation
□	45.
□	46. Slit
□	47.
□	48. Tab Portion
□	49.
□	50. Spring Clip
□	51.
□	52. Spring Base
□	53.
□	54. Spring Hinge
□	55.
□	56. Spring Arm
□	57.
□	58.
□	59.
□	60. Post Structure
□	61.
□	62. Post Member
□	63.
□	64. Opening
□	65.
□	66. Shaft
□	67.
□	68. Flanged Portion
□	69.
□	70.
□	71.
□	72.
□	73.
□	74.
□	75.
□	76.
□	77.
□	78.
□	79.

Claims

I claim:

1. A garbage bag system having a plurality of nested bags positionable within a container having at least one securing member, said plurality of nested bags comprising:

at least one aperture extending through an upper portion of said plurality of nested bags for receiving a securing member; and

at least one perforation extending from said at least one aperture.

2. The garbage bag system of claim 1, including a tab portion extending from each of said plurality of nested bags near said at least one perforation.

3. The garbage bag system of claim 2, wherein said at least one perforation extends to an outer perimeter of said plurality of nested bags.

4. The garbage bag system of claim 1, including at least one slit extending from an outer perimeter of said plurality of nested bags to adjacent said at least one perforation thereby forming a tab portion.

5. The garbage bag system of claim 4, wherein said at least one slit is at an angle with respect to said at least one perforation.

6. The garbage bag system of claim 5, wherein said at least one perforation extends at an angle from said aperture.

7. The garbage bag system of claim 6, wherein said at least one slit extends at an acute angle with respect to said at least one perforation.

8. The garbage bag system of claim 4, wherein said at least one slit is a finite distance from said at least one perforation.

9. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said at least one aperture extending through said plurality of nested bags is formed utilizing a heated element.

10. The garbage bag system of claim 1, wherein said at least one aperture is comprised of two apertures extending through opposing portions of said nested bags.

11. A garbage bag system comprising:

a container having an upper opening and at least one sidewall;

a plurality of securing members attached to an outer surface of said at least one side wall;

a plurality of nested bags positionable within said container;

a plurality of apertures extending through an upper portion of said plurality of nested bags for receiving one of said plurality of securing members; and

at least one perforation extending from each of said plurality of apertures.

12. The garbage bag system of claim 11, including a tab portion extending from each of said plurality of nested bags near said at least one perforation.

13. The garbage bag system of claim 12, wherein said at least one perforation extends to an outer perimeter of said plurality of nested bags.

14. The garbage bag system of claim 11, including at least one slit extending from an outer perimeter of said plurality of nested bags to adjacent said at least one perforation thereby forming a tab portion.

15. The garbage bag system of claim 14, wherein said at least one slit is at an angle with respect to said at least one perforation.

16. The garbage bag system of claim 15, wherein said at least one perforation extends at an angle from said aperture.

17. The garbage bag system of claim 16, wherein said at least one slit extends at an acute angle with respect to said at least one perforation.

18. The garbage bag system of claim 14, wherein said at least one slit is a finite distance from said at least one perforation.

19. A method of utilizing a garbage bag system having a plurality of nested bags comprising at least one aperture and at least one perforation extending from said at least one aperture, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning said plurality of nested bags within a container;

(b) folding an upper portion of said nested bags over an upper edge of said container;

(c) aligning said at least one aperture with a corresponding securing member extending from an outer surface of said container; and

(d) positioning said at least one aperture upon said corresponding securing member.

20. The method of utilizing a garbage bag system of claim 19, including the following steps for removing an inner bag of said plurality of nested bags:

(e) grasping said inner bag adjacent said at least one perforation;

(f) tearing said at least one perforation completely into said at least one aperture; and

(g) removing said inner bag from said plurality of nested bags.