Abstract:
An easily attachable/detachable bag for use in conjunction with household vacuuming. The bag features a pouch that opens when the user applies pressure or squeezes opposite ends, and seals shut once the user releases the pressure or squeezing. The bag is easily attached/detached to device such as a vacuum by use of a hook-and-loop fastener.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention solves the eternal problem of discovering small, loose items on a floor surface while operating a vacuum cleaner, by allowing the operator to have a secure, reusable, small bag enclosure attached to the vacuum cleaner to collect the items. As every vacuum cleaner operator will attest, the chore of vacuuming is made more difficult when one comes across small, loose items that, due to their nature, cannot be sucked up, or shouldn&#39;t be sucked up for fear of damaging the vacuum. These items include coins, Lego parts, bottle caps, and bits of chewed up dog toys. Currently, the vacuum operator must stoop down and collect the item(s) and place them in his/her pocket upon discovery, or carry said item back into the kitchen or nearest trash can for disposal. In either case, the vacuum operator must maintain control over the loose item(s) until the vacuuming job is complete for later distribution. The On-Board Trash Tote solves this problem by providing the vacuum operator a small convenient device attached to the vacuum where the operator will place found small items. Additionally, when considering this invention, vacuum operators currently may utilize recyclable plastic grocery bags or other similar bags attached to their vacuum for the same purpose(s) explained above; many others may not use any such attachment. The problem with attaching a grocery bag to a vacuum is the grocery bag may become too weighted when filled with loose items or trash, causing the bag to swing around while the user operates the vacuum. Another problem with using a grocery bag or other similar item is the size—the grocery bags are designed to carry groceries or other store-bought items and thus are too large to conveniently attach to a vacuum. The present invention On-Board Trash Tote solves these problems by providing a small, convenient, bag easily attached to a vacuum while allowing the user to freely operate the vacuum and still have a place to store loose items or dispose of trash once the vacuum chore is complete. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0002]    Thus, several advantages of one or more aspects are that the On-Board Trash Tote is small, easily attached, time-saving, convenient, disposable or reusable, and easily opened and closed with one hand. Other advantages of one or more aspects are that the On-Board Trash Tote is attractive. These and other advantages of one or more aspects will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The On-Board Trash Tote is a convenient, small, reusable or disposable, easily attached, time-saving, and easily opened and closed bag that attaches to any vacuum cleaner. Its many functions allow a vacuum operator freedom and convenience while vacuuming, including time-saving and easy clean up. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS—FIGURES 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, depicting the opening on the top 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a side view cross-section of the present invention 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS—LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0007]      110 —pouch 
         [0008]      112 —casing 
         [0009]      114 —opposing flexible bands 
         [0010]      116 —double-sided hook-and-loop tape 
         [0011]      118 —side seam 
         [0012]      210 —pouch 
         [0013]      212 —casing 
         [0014]      214 —opposing flexible bands 
         [0015]      216 —double-sided hook-and-loop tape 
         [0016]      218 —side seam 
         [0017]      310 —pouch 
         [0018]      312 —casing 
         [0019]      314 —opposing flexible bands 
         [0020]      316 —double-sided hook-and-loop tape 
         [0021]      318 —side seam 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment FIG.  1   
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of one version of the present invention. A pouch ( 110 ) is connected to an end portion of a strip of double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 116 ), attached in the side seam ( 118 ) of a pouch. The double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 116 ) is captured/sewn into the side seam ( 118 ). The opposite end of the double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 116 ) is then attached to the vacuum. A casing ( 112 ) forms the top portion of said pouch ( 110 ). The casing holds opposing flexible bands ( 114 ) inside. The opposing flexible bands ( 114 ) snap tight to form a closure at the top of the pouch. When ready to use, a user simply squeezes the opposite sides of the pouch ( 110 ), relieving the tension in the opposing flexible bands ( 114 ) and allowing the pouch ( 110 ) to open and receive waste, toys, lint, etc. 
       First Embodiment FIG.  2   
       [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of one version of the present invention. In  FIG. 2 , the top half of the pouch ( 210 ) is shown in an open position, whereby a user has squeezed the opposite sides of the pouch ( 210 ), and relieved the tension on the opposing flexible bands ( 214 ) contained within the casing ( 212 ), allowing the top of a pouch ( 210 ) to open and receive items. A strip of double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 216 ) is displayed protruding from the side seam ( 218 ) of said pouch ( 210 ). 
       First Embodiment FIG.  3   
       [0024]      FIG. 3  shows an open side view of one version of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , a pouch ( 310 ) is displayed with one its sides open to display an interior view. The ends of a casing ( 312 ) are displayed in an open position to demonstrate the interior view. One flexible band ( 314 ) is contained in each casing ( 312 ), thus providing the invention with two opposing flexible bands ( 314 ) that close sua sponte, due to their inherent tension. A double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 316 ) is shown attached in the side seam ( 318 ) at the opposite closed end/side of a pouch ( 310 ), allowing a user to hang the invention on a device such as a vacuum for ease of use. 
         [0025]    Operation 
         [0026]    The present invention consists of a pouch ( 110 ), casing ( 112 ), opposing flexible bands ( 114 ), double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 116 ), and opposing side seam ( 118 ). To operate the present invention, a user first hangs or attaches the invention to a device such as a vacuum, using the double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 116 ). The double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 116 ) is attached in the side seam ( 118 ) of a pouch. The double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 116 ) makes for easy attachment and detachment. When ready to place items in the pouch ( 110 ), the user simply squeezes the opposite sides of the pouch ( 110 ). 
         [0027]    This squeezing action causes tension to be released from the opposing flexible bands ( 114 ) and the top of the pouch ( 110 ) now opens to receive items. The casing ( 112 ) surrounding the opposing flexible bands ( 114 ) keeps the opposing flexible bands ( 114 ) secure and contained within the top of the pouch ( 110 ). Now that the top of the pouch ( 110 ) is open, the user may place items in the pouch ( 110 ). Once the user has finished placing items in the pouch ( 110 ), the user simply releases the opposite ends of the pouch ( 110 ), and the inherent tension in the opposing flexible bands ( 114 ) causes the top of the pouch ( 110 ) to close, creating a sealed top to the pouch ( 110 ) and preventing the items from spilling out of the pouch ( 110 ). When ready to empty the contents of the pouch ( 110 ) into a proper waste receptacle or other proper unit, the user detaches the double-sided hook-and-loop tape ( 116 ), and simply repeats the process of squeezing the opposite sides of the pouch ( 110 ) and releasing the tension on the opposing flexible bands ( 114 ). The user then empties the pouch and releases the opposite ends of the pouch ( 110 ) and the top of the pouch ( 110 ) is now closed. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0028]    Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the present invention provides a lightweight, user-friendly, economical device that may be used by persons of any age. The present invention is small, easily attached, time-saving, convenient, disposable or reusable, easily opened and closed, and attractive. While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the size of the pouch may range in size, the color may be different, the material comprising the pouch may be of a nature that is reusable or disposable, the casing may be of a different color or material than the pouch, the opposing flexible bands may be manufactured of various materials, and the length and size of the double-sided hook-and-loop tape may vary. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.