Abstract:
A trash bag securing system having a plastic liner; the plastic liner inserted into the trash receptacle and placed over the at least one sidewall; a single elastic cord having a first end and a second end and which culminates in at least one knot. The at least one knot anchors the elastic cord to the receptacle. The at least one knot is a stopper at either the first end or the second end of the elastic cord and positioned on the outer surface of the least one sidewall. The elastic cord is inserted into the at least one opening and sized and positioned to fit around the outer rim of the outer surface of the at least one sidewall and over the plastic liner such to secure the plastic liner to the receptacle. The elastic cord may also be further configured to act as a handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/826,363, filed May 22, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a trash bag securing system and, more particularly, to an elastic cord attached to a trash receptacle. 
     Typically, trash bags are not securely fastened to trash receptacles. In most cases, the bag is merely folded over the top rim of the receptacle. Often when the bag is empty and when a heavy piece of trash is thrown into the bag, the weight of the item overwhelms the trash bag causing it to collapse on itself and fall into the bottom of the receptacle. 
     Currently, other devices and methods to remedy the above mentioned problem are more complex, often an expensive additive, and achieve only partial results. Other devices may include clamps, springs, loops and hooks to secure the trash bag to the rim; they may also use clamps, springs, loops, hooks and, even additional elastic cords, to anchor the primary elastic cord to the receptacle. Most do not secure the bag around 100% of the rim of the receptacle and if they do, they do so in such a way that does not allow for adjustments that can create customized tension around the rim of the receptacle. Furthermore, the weight, bulk, and cost to manufacture these existing items make them impractical for use in a home or office. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved trash bag securing system, especially for the home and office. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a trash bag securing system comprises: a trash receptacle comprising at least one sidewall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein a receptacle is formed within the inner surface, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises a rim forming an entrance leading into the receptacle, wherein at least one opening is formed through the sidewall; an elastic cord is attached to the trash receptacle through the at least one opening, wherein the elastic cord is sized to fit around the outer surface of the sidewall. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the first embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 5  is a front exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevation view of the second embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the second embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 9  is a front exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of the third embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 13  is a front exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 15  is a rear elevation view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 17  is a front exploded perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 19  is a rear elevation view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 21  is a front exploded perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 23  is a rear elevation view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 24  is a top plan view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 25  is a front exploded perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 26  is a front perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 27  is a rear elevation view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord used with a reinforcement. 
         FIG. 28  is a top plan view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord used with a reinforcement. 
         FIG. 29  is a front exploded perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 30  is a front perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 31  is a rear elevation view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord used with a reinforcement. 
         FIG. 32  is a top plan view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord used with a reinforcement. 
         FIG. 33  is a front exploded perspective view of the ninth embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 34  is a front perspective view of the ninth embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 35  is a rear elevation view of the ninth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 36  is a top plan view of the ninth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 37  is a front exploded perspective view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 38  is a front perspective view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 39  is a rear elevation view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 40  is a top plan view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 41  is a front exploded perspective view of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 42  is a front perspective view of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 43  is a rear elevation view of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 44  is a top plan view of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 45  is a front exploded perspective view of the twelfth embodiment of the present invention just prior to use. 
         FIG. 46  is a front perspective view of the twelfth embodiment of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 47  is a rear elevation view of the twelfth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
         FIG. 48  is a top plan view of the twelfth embodiment of the present invention without the trash bag showing the arrangement of the elastic cord. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention includes a kitchen trash receptacle that securely holds trash bags. The present invention securely holds the trash bag open along the entire rim of the trash receptacle, while at the same time, efficiently anchoring the holding device, such as a bungee cord, to the receptacle so the holding device is not lost or misplaced. Further, the present invention does not dramatically increase the bulk, cost, or complexity of the kitchen receptacle. 
     The present invention may be used with existing drawer style kitchen trash receptacles. By combining the existing design of a generic trash receptacle with a system of holes, knots and lacing patterns for the elastic band, the present invention provides an ideal and novel method for holding trash bags around the rim of any trash receptacle, including bottomless trash receptacles. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 48 , the present invention includes a trash bag securing device  10 . The trash bag securing device  10  includes a rigid trash receptacle  11 . The trash receptacle  11  includes a bottom portion and at least one sidewall extending from the bottom portion. The sidewall includes an inner surface and an outer surface, with the receptacle formed within the inner surface of the sidewall. The sidewall further includes a rim forming an entrance leading into the receptacle. At least one opening  15  is formed through the sidewall. The trash bag securing device  10  may further include an elastic cord  13 , such as a stretchable bungee cord  13 . The elastic cord  13  is attached to the trash receptacle through the at least one opening  15 . The elastic cord  13  is sized to fit snuggly around the outer surface of the sidewall to secure a trash bag  12  to the trash receptacle  11 . In certain embodiments, the elastic cord  13  may be a continuous, unbroken loop. In certain embodiments, the elastic cord  13  may be broken with a first and second end. 
     In certain embodiments, a stopper is formed at ends of the elastic cord  13 . The stopper may include a diameter larger than the at least one opening  15  of the trash receptacle  11 . The stopper may be achieved by knotting or cinching one end of elastic cord  13  or tying the ends of the elastic cord  13  together. In certain embodiments, a smaller loop may be formed by tying a knot  26  or attaching an adjustable cord lock  14  to a portion of the elastic cord  13 . The cord lock  14  may be used to tighten or loosen the elastic cord  13  around the trash receptacle  11 . The cord lock  14  may adjust the elastic cord  13  so that the length of the cord  13  is slightly smaller than the perimeter of the rim. 
     In certain embodiments, a handle may be attached to the elastic cord  13 . For example, a tag  45  may be attached to the elastic cord  13  so that a user may easily grasp and manipulate the elastic cord  13 . In certain embodiments, the loop formed may also be used as a handle to grasp the elastic cord  13  in order to wrap the cord  13  around the rim or remove the cord  13  from the rim. 
     The elastic cord  13  may be stretched out and placed over the upper rim of the receptacle  11  so that it can hold itself and any generic trash bag  12  securely in place so that the generic trash bag  12  does not collapse in on itself when a heavy item is thrown into the receptacle  11  or due to heavy gusts. When the user is ready to remove the trash bag  12 , the small handle loop formed by the knot  26  or cord lock  14 , may be grasped and the elastic cord  13  may be pulled off of the rim of the trash receptacle  11 . The elastic cord  13  may be released but remains securely connected to the trash receptacle  11 . The full trash bag  12  is removed and the new bag is replaced and held securely open in place in the inside of the receptacle  11  in the same fashion as previously described. 
     In certain embodiments, the elastic cord  13  may be overlapped over itself so that it may be certain to provide a definitive hold on the trash bag  12  around 100% of the outer rim of the trash receptacle  11 . 
     In certain embodiments, a reinforcement may be utilized with the present invention. The reinforcement may include a large knot, a big round button, or a flat rectangular piece of plastic with a hole in it, such as a plate  75 . The plate  75  may be fastened to the trash receptacle  11 . For example, the plate  75  may be attached to the inner surface of the at least one sidewall. The plate  75  may include at least one opening  76  that aligns with the at least one opening  15 ,  72  of the sidewall. 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the trash receptacle  11  may include four sidewalls. The present invention may include four openings  15 , including two outer openings  15  and two inner openings  15 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  13  may include a first end and a second end. The first end may include a knot  16  resting on the outer surface of the sidewall and the elastic cord  13  may run through one of the two outer openings. The elastic cord  13  may then run through an inner opening  15  closest to the outer opening  15  comprising the knot  16  and may run along the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The second end of the elastic cord may run back through the opposite inner opening  15  as the first end and through the opposite outer opening  15  as the first end, where a second knot  16  is formed, thereby securing the elastic cord  13  to the trash receptacle  11  on the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  11  and secured in between the elastic cord  13  and the trash receptacle  11 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 8 , the present invention may include four openings  22 , including two outer openings  22  and two inner openings  22 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  23  may include a first end and a second end. The first end may include a knot  24  resting on the outer surface of the sidewall and the elastic cord  23  may run through one of the two inner openings. The elastic cord  23  may then run through an outer opening  22  closest to the inner opening  22  comprising the knot  24  and may run along the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The second end of the elastic cord may run back through the opposite outer opening  22  as the first end and through the opposite inner opening  22  as the first end, where a second knot  24  is formed, thereby securing the elastic cord  23  to the trash receptacle  21  on the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  21  and secured in between the elastic cord  23  and the trash receptacle  21 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 through 12 , the present invention may include four openings  32 , including two outer openings  32  and two inner openings  32 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  33  may include a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end may be tied together to form a knot  34  and may rest on the outer surface, with the elastic cord  33  running through both of the inner openings  32 . The elastic cord  33  may run through a first inner opening  32  from the knot  34  and then through the outer opening  32  closest to the first inner opening  32 . The elastic cord  32  may run along the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The second end of the elastic cord  33  may run back through the opposite outer opening  32  as the first end and through the second inner opening  32 , where the second knot  34  is formed with the first end of the elastic cord  33 , thereby securing the elastic cord  33  to the trash receptacle  31  on the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  31  and secured in between the elastic cord  33  and the trash receptacle  31 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 through 16 , the present invention may include two openings  42 , including a first opening  42  and a second opening  42 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  43  may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be tied in a knot  44  and may rest within the inner surface of the sidewall. The elastic cord  43  may run through the first opening and along the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The second end of the elastic cord  43  may run through the second opening  42  and may be tied off at a knot  44  within the inner surface of the sidewall, thereby securing the elastic cord  43  to the trash receptacle  41  on the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  41  and secured in between the elastic cord  43  and the trash receptacle  41 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 17 through 20 , the present invention may include three openings  52 , including a first opening  52 , a second opening  52  and a third opening  52 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  53  may be continuous and unbroken. In such embodiments, the elastic cord  53  may loop through the first opening  52 , the second opening  52 , and the third opening  52  and wrap around the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  53  may be anchored to receptacle  51  without the use of a stopper and stretched to fit snuggly around the outer sidewall surfaces of trash receptacle  51 . The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  51  and may be secured in between the elastic cord  53  and the trash receptacle  51 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 21 through 24 , the present invention may include two openings  62 , including a first opening  62  and a second opening  62 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  63  may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be tied in a knot  64  and rest within the inner surface of the sidewall. The elastic cord  63  may run from the knot  64  through the first opening in the direction of the second opening and along the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The second end of the elastic cord  63  may run through the second opening  62  and may be tied off at a knot  64  within the inner surface of the sidewall, thereby securing the elastic cord  63  to the trash receptacle  61  on the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  61  and secured in between the elastic cord  63  and the trash receptacle  61 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 25 through 28 , the present invention may include a single opening  72  just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  73  may include a first end and a second end. The first end and second end may run through the single opening  72  and may be tied together in a knot  74  within the inner surface of the sidewall. The elastic cord  73  may run out of the opening  72  and along the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls and back into the opening  72 . The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  71  and secured in between the elastic cord  73  and the trash receptacle  71 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 29 through 32 , the present invention may include a single opening  84  just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  83  may be an unbroken and continuous elastic cord  83 . A portion of the elastic cord  83  may protrude into the inner surface of the sidewall, and the portion may be tied into a knot  84 . The elastic cord  83  may run out of the opening  82  and may be overlapped upon itself so that it may run along 100% of the entire rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  81  and secured in between the elastic cord  83  and the trash receptacle  81 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 33 through 36 , the present invention may include three openings  92 , including a first outer opening  92 , a middle opening  92  and a second outer opening  92 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  93  may include a first end and a second end. The first end may include a knot  96  resting on the outer surface of the sidewall and the elastic cord  93  may run through the first outer opening  92 . The elastic cord  93  may run from the first outer opening and out of the middle opening  92  and may run along the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The second end of the elastic cord may overlap a portion of cord  93  and run back through the middle opening  92  and out of the second outer opening  92  where a second knot  96  is formed, thereby securing the elastic cord  93  to the trash receptacle  91  on the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  91  and may be secured around 100% of the outer rim of receptacle  91  in between the elastic cord  93  and the trash receptacle  91 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 37 through 40 , the present invention may include four openings  105 , including a first outer opening  105 , a first middle opening  105 , a second middle opening  105  and a second outer opening  105 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  103  may be continuous and unbroken. In such embodiments, the elastic cord  103  may loop through the first outer opening  105 , the first middle opening  105 , the second middle opening  105  and the second outer opening  105  and wrap around the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls, thereby simultaneously anchoring the elastic cord  103  to the trash receptacle  101  on a portion of inner and all of the outer surfaces of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  101  and secured in between the elastic cord  103  and the trash receptacle  101 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 41 through 44 , the present invention may include two openings  112 , including a first opening  112 , and a second opening  112 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  113  may be continuous and unbroken. In such embodiments, the elastic cord  113  may loop through the first opening  112  and the second opening  112 , cross over one another and wrap around the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls, thereby securing the elastic cord  113  to the trash receptacle  111  on the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  121  and secured in between the elastic cord  123  and the trash receptacle  121 . 
     In embodiments as illustrated in  FIGS. 45 through 48 , the present invention may include two openings  122 , including a first opening  122  and a second opening  122 , just below the rim of one of the sidewalls. The elastic cord  123  may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be tied in a knot  124  and rest on the outer surface of the sidewall. The elastic cord  123  may run from the knot  124  through the first opening and then through the second opening. From the second opening  122 , the cord  123  may run back towards the first opening  122  and along the rim of the outer surface of the sidewalls. The second end of the elastic cord  123  may run through the first opening  122  and back through the second opening  122 . The second end may be tied off at a knot  124  on the outside surface of the sidewall, thereby securing the elastic cord  123  to the trash receptacle  121  on the outer surface of the sidewalls. The trash bag  12  may be folded over the rim of the trash receptacle  121  and secured in between the elastic cord  123  and the trash receptacle  121 . 
     A method of using the present invention may include the following. A user may start by pulling the bungee cord up and off of the outer rim of the trash receptacle. The next step is to slowly release the tension on the cord and set it aside on the outside of the back panel of the receptacle. At this point, one may open an empty trash bag and place it inside the receptacle folding the top 1-2″ of the bag over the top and outside rim of the receptacle. One may then grab the bungee cord, cross over itself at back (near anchor point on back panel) and place it over the plastic bag and just under the top rim of receptacle. The bungee may rest snuggly against both the plastic bag and the receptacle encircling up to 100% of the rim while holding the bag open and secure. When the bag is full, one may pull the loop handle away and up over the top of the receptacle. One may slowly release and gently remove the unanchored portion of the bungee cord away from rim. Finally, one may remove and discard the full trash bag and replace it with new empty garbage bag as described previously. 
     Additionally, the present invention may be useful for the collection of industrial and medical waste and/or incorporation with trash receptacles other than those described in detail above such as receptacles with attached or detached lids, or those with foot-pedal powered “flip-lids” and the like. The present invention may also be used in the storage of food or other items wherein the bungee cord incorporates a plastic or cloth sheet sewn to its stretched top and in the exact shape of the receptacle container (be it round, square, rectangular or whatever) thus making a virtually air tight container but without use of a hard top. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.