Patent ID: 8458866
Filing Date: 2013-06-11
Classification: B65F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A bag spreader for spreading a bag in a container lying on its side such that the container opens on a lateral side and such that the container includes an upper sidewall having an upwardly facing outer surface, the bag spreader comprising: a plurality of outer legs arranged to interface with the upwardly facing outer surface of the container when the container is oriented on its side; a bag supporting portion arranged for insertion into the bag and the container, the bag supporting portion being disposed in the container in a manner that supports the bag in an open condition when the container is oriented on its side; a head portion connected to the plurality of outer legs, the plurality of outer legs extending from the head portion in a first direction, the head portion also connected to the bag supporting portion, the bag supporting portion extending from the head portion in the first direction, the plurality of outer legs and the bag supporting portion being spaced apart on the head portion a distance sufficient to receive an edge of the container such that when the plurality of outer legs interfaces with the outer surface of the container, the bag supporting portion is disposed within the bag in the container, the head portion being structurally arranged to lie adjacent the edge of the container when the plurality of outer legs interfaces with the outer surface of the container and the bag supporting portion is disposed within the bag in the container; and a compliant attachment element connected to and extending from the head portion adjacent the plurality of outer legs, the attachment element being shaped to curve from the head portion toward the bag supporting portion to interface with the container to help secure the bag spreader to the container.