Abstract:
The invention provides a closed system for collecting, mulching and storing natural yard waste in a manner that saves time and labor. Storage of the natural yard waste is enabled by use of off the shelf bags instead of customized bags that must be later dumped into a generic storage housing. The system is empowered by a device that is attachable to such off the shelf bags and fully uses their volume so that maximum storage is achieved.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention provides a system for collecting, mulching and storing yard waste in a singular manner. More specifically, the system herein connects all three needful abilities—collecting, mulching and storing—in a manner that vastly reduces the time and labor required to accomplish the task of properly disposing of yard waste. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The task of collecting and bagging yard waste is arduous. It requires a vast amount of time and is usually a multi-step process. First, the waste must be centrally collected. Next, it must be placed into suitable receptacles therefor (e.g., yard waste can, yard waste bags, and the like). Finally, if possible, it must be made into smaller parts (i.e., mulched) for either more efficient waste handling or use in some other landscaping capacity. 
         [0003]    Often, the task of collecting and handling yard waste thusly is, in addition to being time intensive, is also very labor intensive. In large areas of a quarter acre or more, more than one person must be used to perform this kind of labor intensive work. In commercial applications, especially, like those done by professional landscapers, labor costs can stifle profits in business and impede the ability for business persons to do higher value and more profitable work. 
         [0004]    Various devices known in the art collect yard waste. For example, devices that vacuum grass and leaves are well known. Usually, these types of devices connect to a bag created by the device&#39;s manufacturer to fit onto the device. Once yard waste fills its bag, the bag is disconnected. Yard waste in the bag is then transferred to another receptacle for later handling and/or waste purpose. Devices that mulch received yard waste are also well known as secondary components to devices that collect, by vacuuming, yard waste. Such mulch devices, which are often internal to a yard waste collection device, while not common, are well known by persons of skill in the art. 
         [0005]    What has been missing in both above approaches is the ability, in a single system, to combine the collection, mulching and storage of yard waste in as simplistic and labor efficient manner as is possible. Such a system would reduce the time of collection of yard waste and reduce the labor intensity, both in number of persons needed and time required. Ideally, a single collection, mulching and yard waste storage system would enable the use of commercially available yard waste bags thereby eliminating the need to collect and dump from one bag into another. The invention discussed herein seeks to solve all of the problems of the foregoing. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the provided invention a system for collecting, mulching and storing yard waste in a highly efficient manner. The system comprises a collection device for collecting yard waste, a mulching device connected to the collection device, and a bag fitting device connected to the mulching device. The bag fitting device is connectable to a bag for final collection of yard waste collected by said collection device. 
         [0007]    The preferred collection device usable in this system is a vacuuming device that uses powered suction to gather leaves, grass and other kinds of natural yard waste. Once collected, such yard waste is drawn into a mulching device connected to the collection device. Preferably, the collection device feeds yard waste into the mulching device. Also preferably, the mulching device is an internal device fitted within the collection device. More specifically, the preferred collection device herein also contains a mulching device therein that is an internal component. 
         [0008]    The bag fitting device herein is designed to connect directly to the collection device and to a suitable receptacle for receiving the yard waste. The bag fitting device may comprise two or more parts operating together feed yard waste flowing from the collection device to a receptacle. For example, the bag fitting device herein preferably comprises a hose of suitable diameter that is attached to a bag fitting device. The bag fitting device can be of a square, rectangular, oval, or elliptical configuration depending up manufacturer&#39;s design and/or configuration of the yard waste receptacle. 
         [0009]    In practice, the bag fitting device at least partially inflates a receptacle suitable for yard waste. Such inflation helps to ensure that the receptacle is opened to a near or near-to-full capacity. In another embodiment herein, the bag substantially inflates the yard waste receptacle. Ideally, a suitable receptacle for yard waste contemplated herein is a yard waste bag of the kind to be subsequently described herein. 
         [0010]    Also provided herein is a bag fitting device for enabling the storing of collected yard waste. The bag fitting device comprises a screen having a first side and second side positioned oppositely to the first side. A border is positioned about the screen. The border encloses the screen. The border has a first side, a second side positioned perpendicular to the first side, a third side positioned oppositely to the first side and perpendicular to the second side, and a fourth side positioned oppositely to the second side and perpendicular to the first side and the third side. The bag fitting device is at least semi-rigid and preferably substantially rigid. 
         [0011]    A primary hole is positioned within the screen. The primary hole has a first raised border on the screen first side and a second raised border on the screen second side. The diameter of the primary hole ranges from about 0.25 inches to about 6 inches. Preferably, the diameter of the primary hole ranges from about 2 inches to about 8 inches, and preferably from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. 
         [0012]    In addition to the primary hole, at least two secondary holes are positioned within the screen. The number of said secondary holes ranges from about 2 to about 800. The diameter of each secondary hole ranges from about 0.05 inches to about 1 inch. 
         [0013]    The second side of the screen comprises one or more ribs, each rib extending at least partially between the first side to the third side of the screen. In practice, the screen comprises at least about 2 to about 50 ribs. Most ideally, the screen comprises from about 10 to about 30 ribs. 
         [0014]    The bag fitting device is fittable within an opening of a pliable container. The opening of the pliable container is closable about the bag fitting device. The border of the bag fitting device comprises at least two bag attachment clips. Preferably, the border comprises at least one bag attachment clip on the first side, the second side, the third side and the fourth side. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment herein, the first and second raised borders of the primary hole are circular and form a cylinder. The cylinder formed by the first raised border is the inlet, i.e., the side to which natural yard waste flows. For ease of use, the inlet comprises an attachable extender. The extender has a base. The base fits within the inlet. The cylinder formed by the second raised border is the outlet. In another embodiment herein, the first and second raised borders of the primary hole or rectangular (including a square configuration as well) and forms a four sided hole. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of the yard waste collection system claimed herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bag fitting device used herein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the bag fitting device used herein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the bag fitting device used herein; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a partial front view of the second side of the screen of the yard waste device provided herein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  is a cut side view of one embodiment of a rib herein; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6B  is a cut side view of another embodiment of a rib herein; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6C  is a cut side view of yet another embodiment of a rib herein; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a partial exploded side view of a filter positioned above the screen herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    By the term “natural yard waste” or “yard waste” it is meant herein to include leaves, grass, plants and all such naturally occurring flora and fauna found in nature. 
         [0027]    By the term “yard waste bag” it is meant herein the kind of receptacle typically purchasable in store and formed from paper, plastic and the like. 
         [0028]    By the term “pliable container” it is meant herein one or more types of yard waste bags that are not rigid or are semi-rigid but not fully rigid. 
         [0029]    The invention herein provides a system for collecting, mulching and storing yard waste in a highly efficient manner. The system comprises a collection device for collecting yard waste, a mulching device connected to the collection device, and a bag fitting device connected to the mulching device. The bag fitting device is connectable to a bag for final collection of yard waste collected by said collection device. 
         [0030]    The preferred collection device usable in this system is a vacuuming device that uses powered suction to gather leaves, grass and other kinds of natural yard waste. Once collected, such yard waste is drawn into a mulching device connected to the collection device. Preferably, the collection device feeds yard waste into the mulching device. Also preferably, the mulching device is an internal device fitted within the collection device. More specifically, the preferred collection device herein also contains a mulching device therein that is an internal component. 
         [0031]    The bag fitting device herein is designed to connect directly to the collection device and to a suitable receptacle for receiving the yard waste. The bag fitting device may comprise two or more parts operating together to feed yard waste flowing from the collection device to a receptacle. For example, the bag fitting device herein preferably comprises a hose of suitable diameter that is attached to a bag fitting device. The bag fitting device can be of a square, rectangular, oval, or elliptical configuration depending up manufacturer&#39;s design and/or configuration of the yard waste receptacle. 
         [0032]    In practice, the bag fitting device at least partially inflates a receptacle suitable for yard waste. Such inflation helps to ensure that the receptacle is opened to a near or near-to-full capacity. In another embodiment herein, the bag substantially inflates the yard waste receptacle. Ideally, a suitable receptacle for yard waste contemplated herein is a yard waste bag of the kind to be subsequently described herein. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of the yard waste collection system  10  claimed herein. Shown is yard waste device  15  that is an electro-mechanical device useful for collecting leaves, grass and the like. As shown, yard waste device  15  is connected to yard waste bag  50  via connecting tube  20 . Bag fitting device  25  connects to yard waste bag  50  and connecting tube  20 . Such connection enables the removal of yard waste from fitting device  25  to yard waste bag  50 . 
         [0034]    Ideally, yard waste device  15  draws air into it via an air suction system like those known by persons of skill in the art for such yard waste device. That is, it is a leaf vacuum device like that produced and manufactured by Black &amp; Decker® with their BV5600 High Performance Blower VAC mulcher. Once drawn in, it is, preferably, mulched (i.e., pulverized and/or broken into smaller particles). After mulching, such particles are blown out of yard waste device  15 . 
         [0035]    As mulched particles are blown out of yard waste device  15 , they are transported through connecting tube  20 . Connecting tube  20  has a diameter ranging from about 2 inches to about 8 inches, and more preferably ranging from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. Connecting tube  20  is either removably attached to an exit hole of yard waste device  15  or is permanently attached to the exit hole of yard waste device  15 . Regardless of attachment, connecting tube  20  extends from the exit hole of yard waste device  15  to a commensurate hole in bag fitting device  25 . 
         [0036]    Bag fitting device  25  services several purposes in the composition of the yard waste system herein. First, it connects yard waste device  15  to yard waste bag  50 . Second, it at least partially inflates yard waste bag  50  and preferably, substantially inflates it. Such at least partial inflation is important because it removes the necessity of a user having to open yard waste bag  50 . In an optimal operative use, a user would merely attach the opening of yard waste bag  50  to bag fitting device  25 , turn on yard waste device  15 , and use its escaping vacuumed air to inflate yard waste bag  50 . Third, bag fitting device  25  serves as a conduit for through which pulverized yard waste particles flow once leaving connecting tube  20 . 
         [0037]    It is important to note that the most preferred yard waste collection system  10  is a closed system that allows for the initial collection and final disposal of collected yard waste without stopping and without any intervening steps not contained wholly within the system. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of bag fitting device  25  herein. Bag fitting device  25  comprises screen  30  having first side  32  and second side  34  positioned oppositely to first side  32 . Border  36  is positioned about screen  30 . Border  36  encloses screen  30 . Border  36  has a first side  37 , a second side  38  positioned perpendicular to first side  37 , a third side  39  positioned oppositely to first side  37  and perpendicular to second side  38 , and a fourth side  40  positioned oppositely to second side  34  and perpendicular to first side  37  and third side  39 . Bag fitting device  25  is at least semi-rigid and preferably substantially rigid. 
         [0039]    A primary hole  45  is positioned within screen  30 . Primary hole  45  has a first raised border  46  on the screen first side  32  and a second raised border  47  on the screen second side  34 . The diameter of primary hole  45  ranges from about 1 inch to about 8 inches. Preferably, the diameter of primary hole  45  ranges from about 2 inches to about 8 inches, and preferably from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. 
         [0040]    In addition to primary hole  45 , at least two secondary holes  48  are positioned within screen  30 . The number of secondary holes  48  ranges from about 2 to about 800. The diameter of each secondary hole  48  ranges from about 0.05 inches to about 1 inch. 
         [0041]    As is shown in  FIG. 5  herein, second side  34  of screen  30  comprises one or more ribs  55 , each rib  55  extending at least partially between first side  37  to third side  39  of screen  30 . In practice, screen  30  comprises at least about 2 to about 50 ribs  55 . Most ideally, screen  30  comprises from about 10 to about 30 ribs  55 . Ribs  55  provide structure to screen  30  and increase its rigidity when such construction is desired by a manufacturer. Also, ribs  55  provide certain conducive flow properties for air that escapes from yard waste bag  50 . Further discussion of such flow of air into and out of yard waste bag  50  shall be had in greater detail hereinbelow. 
         [0042]    As noted hereinabove, bag fitting device  25  is fittable within an opening of a pliable container like yard waste bag  50 . The opening of the pliable container is closable about bag fitting device  25 . Border  36  of bag fitting device  25  comprises at least two bag attachment clips  60  (not shown). Preferably, border  36  comprises at least one bag attachment clip  60  on its first side  37 , second side  38 , third side  39  and fourth side  40 . 
         [0043]    First raised border  46  and second raised border  47  of primary hole  45  are circular and together form a cylinder. The cylinder formed by first raised border  46  is the inlet since it is placed on first side  32  of screen  30 , i.e., the side to which natural yard waste flows from yard waste  15 . For ease of use, the inlet may comprise attachable extender  27 . Extender  27  comprises base  28 . Base  28  is configured to fit within first raised border  46 . The cylinder formed by the second raised border  47  forms an outlet through which natural yard waste flows into yard waste bag  50 . Extender  27 , when used, comprises the same shape as primary hole  45 ; e.g., cylindrical, rectangular and the like. 
         [0044]    Also provided in  FIG. 2  is extender  27 . Extender  27  fits onto primary hole  45  on the first side  32  of screen  30 . The purpose of extender  27  is to facilitate the connection between bag fitting device  25  and connecting tube  20 . There may be instances when using extender  27  enables a more secure or easier connection. In those cases, extender  27  provides an increased distance between screen  30  and bag fitting device  25 . Ideally, extender  27  is substantially cylindrical as shown. Also ideally, it ranges in length from about 2 to about 10 inches. Most ideally, it ranges in length from about 3 to about 7 inches. The actual length employed is at manufacturer&#39;s discretion and depends upon the specific use of bag fitting device  25 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  is a front view of bag fitting device  25 . Primary hole  45  is shown positioned off-center to screen  30 . This position of primary hole  45  is considered to be optimal for the functionality of bag fitting device  25 . When bag fitting device  25  is connected and yard waste bag  50  sits upon the ground, position of primary hole  45  is important. It has been inventively discovered that primary hole  45  positioned at or near the top of first side  37  of border  36 , as is shown, enables optimal effectiveness of bag fitting device for the flow of yard waste from yard waste device  15 . 
         [0046]    It has been discovered that positioning of primary hole  45  at a central location on screen  30  is effective, but not as effective as its positioning shown in  FIG. 3 . Less effective still would be the positioning of primary hole  45  in an adjacent position to third side  39  of border  36 . The importance of the positioning of primary hole  45  impacts the efficiency of the flow of collected yard waste from yard waste device  15  through connecting tube  20  and onto yard waste bag  50 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a side view of bag fitting device  25  herein. As shown, first raised border  46  of primary hole  45  extends above screen  30  of bag fitting device  25 . As discussed hereinabove, first raised border  46  has a length ranging from about 2 inches to about 8 inches, and preferably from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. 
         [0048]    Bag fitting device  25  can be made from multiple kinds of materials. For example, bag fitting device  25  may comprise wood, steel, iron, titanium, plastic, polypropylene, polyethylene and combinations of all of the foregoing. 
         [0049]    As noted hereinabove, ribs  55  are positioned onto second side  34  of screen  30 . Ribs  55  are preferably, but not necessarily made of the same material of which screen  30  is comprised. Also preferably, ribs  55  are at least substantially stiff and add rigidity to screen  30 . As shown in  FIG. 5  herein, ribs  55  extend vertically from first side  37  to third side  38  of border  36 . Such extension is preferable but not necessary to the operation of screen  30 . However, ribs  55  may extend at least three-fourths of the length of the distance between first side  37  and third side  39  of border  36 . 
         [0050]    In addition to providing the utility of rigidity to screen  30 , ribs  55  also provide an additional important function. As air and mulched yard waste flow through primary hole  45 , the air fills yard waste bag  50 , and specifically the back of it. Substantially all of the air blown into yard waste bag  50  remains active and mobile so long as yard waste device  15  remains in operation. Because of such operation of yard waste device  15 , air in yard waste bag  50  must be continually replenished and replaced. Secondary holes  48  serve as the means by which air may be expelled from yard waste bag  50  as new air enters therein through primary hole  45 . 
         [0051]    Ribs  55  also provide direction for air flow through secondary holes  48 . In practice, as air moves back toward screen  30 , air molecules slide along ribs  55  that, preferably, are oriented to direct air towards secondary holes  48 . In this operation, ribs  55  may be tapered thereby providing efficient directionality of air flowing to and through secondary holes  48 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  provides three suitable examples tapered ribs  55  considered to be ideal for the efficient directionality of air flowing to and through secondary holes  48 . Each of the shapes in  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  provide a different shape of a rib  55 . The common point of each figure, however, is that each also provides a sloped side. The objective of the slope side of ribs  55  shown in the figures herein is to provide the efficient directionality of flowing air to secondary hole  48 . 
         [0053]    The design of ribs  55  to provide the efficient directionality of air flow is preferred. However, ribs  55  that do not comprise ribs  55  having sloped sides are also useful. Their efficient directionality of air flow is diminished, though, in comparison to that of ribs  55  shown in FIBS  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C. These figures show the flow of air from the sloped surfaces of ribs  55  into secondary holes  48 . Specifically, it is believed that as air impacts ribs  55  and their sloped surfaces, such sloped surfaces aid in directing air to and through secondary holes  48 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  provides an exploded partial side view of screen  30  having filter  60  applied to second side  34  of screen  30 . Also shown by the large arrows positioned downwardly toward filter  60  which represent the flow of air toward it. In practice, as air moves up from the back of yard waste bag  50  toward bag fitting device  25 , it will flow through filter  60 , to screen  30  and out through secondary holes  48 . Filter  60  prevents mulched yard waste fed into yard waste bag  50  from escaping through secondary holes  48 . That is, filter  60  filters the air escaping through screen  30  from the mulched yard waste in yard waste bag  50 . 
         [0055]    Filter  60  is constructed so that while it does not impeded the flow of air therethrough, it impedes the flow of yard waste out of yard waste bag  50  through screen  30  of yard waste device  15 . Filter  60  is preferably fibrous and may comprise natural and/or man made fibers. 
         [0056]    Yard waste bag  50  is preferably a widely available paper yard waste bag found in hardware stores, grocery stores, corner stores, members only stores and the like. The preferred bag is a thirty (30) gallon bag with dimensions of sixteen (16) inches in length, twelve (12) inches in width and thirty-five (35) inches in height. Such bags are typically purchased in bundles of five or more in a folded condition to make their transport easy. Such yard waste bags are universal and are well known to persons of skill in the art. 
         [0057]    The uniqueness of the invention herein and its specific use of yard waste device  15  is that yard waste bag  50  may be of the widely available variety discussed hereinabove. The prior art uses specially made bags that must then be detached from a device to then dump its mulched and/or gathered contents into, for example, yard waste bag  50  contemplated herein. This invention removes that step and creates capacity of greater storage of mulched and collected yard waste. Furthermore, by use of the invention herein with the universal yard waste bag  50  described herein, time is saved in the collection, mulching and storage of yard waste. Because these thirty gallon bags are used instead of much smaller device designed bags, labor may also be saved. 
         [0058]    Importantly, the system herein for collecting, mulching and storing yard waste is a closed system. By the term “closed system” it is meant herein that there are no interrupting or intervening steps between the collection, mulching and final collection of yard waste by the inventive system herein. Unlike the prior art, no intervening steps are needed for the final storage of yard waste into yard waste bag  50 . In the prior art execution, a device&#39;s provided bag, usually of much lower capacity than that of the universal paper yard waste bag discussed extensively hereinabove, must be removed, dumped into another receptacle and then re-attached to a like collection and mulching device. This is a wasteful expenditure of time and effort. Such wasted time and effort often necessitates the use of additional labor. Wasted time and labor usage are costly and disadvantageous to commercial users, e.g., landscapers. The invention herein, by providing a closed system, removes those disadvantages and provides significant savings of time and labor. 
         [0059]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.