Abstract:
An apparatus ( 410 ) for holding a plastic bag ( 36 ) in an upright and open position comprising a base ( 412 ), an upper frame ( 414 ), a vertical support member ( 416 ) and a pair of handle receiving members ( 418, 420 ) rotatably mounted to the upper frame ( 414 ) is disclosed. The handle receiving members ( 418, 420 ) each include a pair of rotatable arms ( 422, 424, 426, 428 ). The rotatable arms ( 422, 424, 426, 428 ) having a first position and a second position. In the first position, the rotatable arms ( 422, 424, 426, 428 ) are generally vertical for receiving and removing the plastic bag ( 36 ). In the second position, the rotatable arms ( 422, 424, 426, 428 ) are rotated a predetermined angle from vertical. The rotation of the rotatable arms ( 422, 424, 426, 428 ) from the first to the second position increases the distance between the rotatable arms ( 422, 424, 426, 428 ) in each pair of handle receiving members ( 418, 420 ), thereby securing the plastic bag ( 36 ) in an upright and open position within the apparatus ( 410 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/070,172 filed Apr. 30, 1998, now abandoned. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, in general, to an article for holding flexible sacks and more particularly, to an article for holding in an upright and open position, a grocery bag of the type made from a flexible plastic film. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with plastic grocery bags, as an example. 
     Heretofore, in this field, grocery stores, as well as other retail stores, have packed goods purchased by the shopper in paper bags. Paper bags provided a convenient means for carrying groceries directly to the shopper&#39;s residence, or vehicle for the trip home. Once the groceries were unloaded from the paper bags, the bags were useful as receptacles for accumulating garbage and other refuse, prior to disposal of the refuse. For this purpose, the bags were used either standing alone, or inserted as liners into waste containers. 
     In relatively recent times, the paper grocery bag has begun to be replaced by bags made of a flexible plastic film. Plastic bags have been touted by large supermarkets and similar retail stores as being the wave of the future, and a great convenience to shoppers. It has been found, however, that some shoppers have disagreed with that assessment, on the grounds that plastic bags are not bio-degradable and that the plastic bags will not remain in an upright position in their cars. Nonetheless, when the relative merits of paper bags versus plastic bags are weighed, it seems clear that economic considerations apparently dictate that plastic bags will be dispensed with increasing frequency by stores. It has also been found that plastic grocery bags by themselves are not practically useable as trash receptacles, in that they collapse into a limp pile when placed unsupported on the floor. 
     Several prior attempts have been made to design a holder for plastic grocery bags such as those describe in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,734 to Schmidt (the &#39;734 patent), U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,474 to Swenson (the &#39;474 patent) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,634 to Hambleton (the &#39;634 patent). The &#39;734 patent discloses a plastic grocery bag holder including a pair of thin, uniform cross-section end panels and at least one pair of thin, uniform cross-section side rails. A cutout in the upper portion of each end panel has one or more downwardly projecting tabs for receiving each handle loop of a flexible plastic bag such that the bag may be retained in an open, upright position within the holder. 
     The &#39;474 patent is directed to a plastic grocery bag holder having a body portion terminating in a base and a pair of integral handles. The holder includes a horizontally disposed base member, a pair of oppositely-disposed, upwardly-projecting side wall members, each of which is attached at its lower end to the base member, an upwardly projecting rear wall member, wherein each vertical edge of the rear wall member is attached to a vertical edge of each of the side wall members and pair of spaced-apart ears projecting above the upper edges of each of the side wall members, wherein the space between the ears extends downwardly into each of the side wall members. 
     The &#39;634 patent is directed to a plastic grocery bag holder having a pair of integral handles and a body portion terminating in a base portion. The holder has a horizontally disposed base member, a pair of oppositely-disposed, upwardly-projecting side wall members, which are attached at their lower ends to the base member, an upwardly projecting rear wall member, wherein each vertical edge of the rear wall member is attached to a vertical edge of each of the side wall members and a pair of spaced apart protuberances that are affixed to the outer side, and near the upper edge, of each of the side wall members. 
     Each of the above described plastic grocery bag holders, however, suffers from the same shortcomings specifically, the need to stretch the handles of the plastic bag around tabs, ears or protuberances in order to obtain a secure attachment to the holder. As such, the use of these plastic grocery bag holders requires a high degree of dexterity. 
     Therefore, a need has arisen for an improved article for holding in an upright and open position, a grocery bag of the type made from a flexible plastic film. A need has also arisen for such a holder that allows for the easy placement and removal of the plastic grocery bag on the holder without the need to stretch the handles of the plastic bag around tabs, ears or protuberances to maintaining the plastic bag securely within the holder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention disclosed herein comprises an article for holding in an upright and open position, a grocery bag of the type made from a flexible plastic film. The plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention allows for easy placement and removal of the plastic grocery bag on the holder without the need to stretch the handles of the plastic bag around tabs, ears or protuberances to maintaining the plastic bag securely within the holder. 
     The plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention comprises a base, an upper frame, a vertical support member extending between the base and the upper frame member and a pair of handle receiving members. The handle receiving members are rotatably mounted to the upper frame member for disposition within the handles of the plastic bag. The base of the holder may be formed by the bottom surface of the vertical support members, a base frame, or may be a horizontally disposed bottom wall. The vertical support member may be a pair of side walls, a front wall and a rear wall or may be two pair of generally symmetrically arranged legs. 
     Each rotatable handle receiving member includes a pair of rotatable arms that may operate together or independently of one another. The arms have two operating positions. First, the arms may be placed in a generally vertical position for receiving and removing the plastic bag from the holder. Second, the arms may be rotated a predetermined angle from vertical for securing the plastic bag within the holder. In addition, the rotation of the arms creates translational movement of the arms such that the distance between the arms in each pair of arms is greater in the second position than in the first position. As such, the bag may be placed in the holder without stretching the handles of the bag. The rotation and associated translation of the arm then stretches the handles of the bag, thereby holding the plastic bag in an upright and open position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, including its features and advantages, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention and a plastic grocery bag to be disposed therein; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial cut away view of the holder of FIG. 1 with a plastic bag secured therein; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of a plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention and a plastic grocery bag to be disposed therein; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of a plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention and a plastic grocery bag to be disposed therein; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention and a plastic grocery bag to be disposed therein; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cut away view of the holder of FIG. 5 with a plastic bag secured therein; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention and a plastic grocery bag to be disposed therein; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of a plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention and a plastic grocery bag to be disposed therein; and 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are an enlarged view of the operation of handle receiving members for a plastic grocery bag holder of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an improved holder for flexible bags or sacks such as grocery bags made from plastic film that is adaptable to maintain the bag in an upright position with the mouth of the bag open making the bag useful as a trash receptacle is depicted and generally designated  10 . Holder  10  has a horizontally disposed base member or bottom wall  12 . Holder  10  also has a pair of oppositely disposed upwardly projecting side walls  14 ,  16  which are attached at their lower ends to bottom wall  12 . Holder  10  has an upwardly projecting rear wall  18 , wherein each vertical edge of rear wall  18  is attached to a vertical edge of each of the side walls  14 ,  16 . The lower end of rear wall  18  is attached to bottom wall  12 . Holder  10  also includes an upwardly projecting front wall  20 , wherein each vertical edge of front wall  20  is attached to a vertical edge of each of the side wall members  14 ,  16 . Front wall  20  is attached to bottom wall  12  at its lower end. 
     The upper ends of side walls  14 ,  16 , rear wall  18  and front wall  20  may be considered the upper frame  22  of holder  10 . Upper frame  22  includes a pair of rods (not shown) that respectively extend between the sides of recess  28  of side wall  14  and recess  30  of side wall  16 . Rotatably mounted on one rod is handle receiving member  32 . Rotatably mounted on the other rod is handle receiving member  34 . 
     A plastic bag  36  that is suitable for use with holder  10  of the present invention is also illustrated in FIG.  1 . Plastic bag  36  consists of a pair of integral handles  38  and a body portion  40  terminating in a base portion  42 . In the trade, it is known as a “T-shirt sack,” in view of its configuration. Preferably, plastic bag  36  is formed from a gusseted, flattened tube of thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene. Thus, handles  38  are also gusseted, and this provides a double thickness handle for strength. Although plastic bags such as plastic bag  36  are manufactured in a variety of sizes, the typical size for plastic bag  36 , when it serves as a grocery sack, is designated as ⅙th of a barrel. 
     As should be apparent to those skilled in the art, holder  10  of the present invention may be manufactured in any size to fit the particular size of plastic bag  36 . In addition, holder  10  of the present invention may be constructed from any suitably rigid material, such as plastic, metal, wood, heavy cardboard or the like. 
     The typical usage of holder  10  is to receive plastic bag  36  therein with handles  38  of plastic bag  36  being placed around handle receiving members  32 ,  34 . Handle receiving members  32 ,  34  will be in their generally upwardly extending position for receiving handles  38  of plastic bag  36 . Once plastic  36  has been placed within holder  10 , handle receiving members  32 ,  34  may then be rotated a predetermined angle from vertical for securing plastic bag  36  in place, as best seen in FIG.  2 . Sufficient resistence should exist against the rotation of handle receiving members  32 ,  34  such that handle receiving members  32 ,  34  will not rotate unless the user of holder  10  desires such rotation for the removal of plastic bag  36 . Alternatively, a locking mechanism (not shown) may be included to prevent such rotation. 
     Once plastic bag  36  has been filled with garbage or other refuse, or when the user of holder  10  desires to remove plastic bag  36  from holder  10 , handle receiving members  32 ,  34  are simply returned to their generally vertical position such that plastic bag  36  may be easily removed from holder  10 . In this position, a new plastic bag  36  may be placed within holder  10  and again secured in place by rotating handle receiving members  32 ,  34  through a predetermined angle from vertical. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of a holder for receiving a grocery bag and maintaining the bag in an upright open position is depicted and generally designated  110 . Holder  110  includes a base frame  112  and an upper frame  114 . Holder  110  includes four upwardly projecting support members  116  that extend between base frame  112  and upper frame  114  to support upper frame  114 . Rotatably positioned upon upper frame  114  is a pair of handle receiving members  118 ,  120 . Handle receiving members  118 ,  120  are rotatable between a vertical position, for receiving plastic bag  36  into and removing plastic bag  36  from holder  110 , and a position wherein handle receiving members  118 ,  120  are rotated a predetermined angle from vertical to secure plastic bag  36  within holder  110  as described above with reference to FIG.  2 . 
     In FIG. 4, another embodiment of a holder for supporting a plastic bag in an upright and open position is depicted and generally designated  210 . Holder  210  includes an upper frame  212  that consists of a pair of side panels  214 ,  216 , a rear panel  218  and a front panel  220 . Rear panel  218  is attached to side panels  214 ,  216  at their respective vertical edges. Similarly, front panel front  220  is attached to side panels  214 ,  216  at their respective vertical edges. Holder  210  also includes four upwardly projecting legs  222  that attach to the lower horizontal edge of side panels  214 ,  216 . The lower surfaces of legs  224  provide a base for holder  210 . Even though legs  222  are depicted as extending from side panels  214 ,  216 , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that legs  222  may alternatively extend from front panel  220  and rear panel  218 . 
     Upper frame  212  includes a pair of tabs  224 ,  226  outwardly extending from side panel  214  and a similar pair of tabs outwardly extending from side panel  216  (not pictured). Extending between tabs  224  and  226  is rod  232 . Handle receiving member  236  is rotatably mounted on rod  232 . Similarly, a rod extends between the tabs of side panel  216  such that handle receiving member  238  is rotatable thereabout. Handle receiving members  236 ,  238  operate in the manner as described with reference to FIG.  1  and handle receiving members  32 ,  34 . Specifically, handle receiving members  236 ,  238  receive handles  38  of plastic bag  36  as plastic bag  36  is placed within holder  210 . Handle receiving members  236 ,  238  are then rotated to secure handles  38  in place such that plastic bag  36  is secured within holder  212  to receive garbage or other refuse. Once plastic bag  36  is full or the user of holder  210  wants to remove plastic bag  36  from holder  210 , handle receiving members  236 ,  238  are returned to a vertical position such that plastic bag  36  may easily be removed from holder  210 . 
     Referring next to FIG. 5, another embodiment of a holder for securing a plastic bag in an upright and open position is depicted in generally designated  310 . Holder  310  includes a bottom wall  312  and a pair of oppositely disposed upwardly projecting side walls  314 ,  316  that are attached at their lower ends to bottom wall  312 . Holder  310  includes an upwardly projecting rear wall  318 , wherein each vertical edge of rear wall  318  is attached to a vertical edge of each of the side walls  314 ,  318 . Holder  310  also includes an upwardly projecting front wall  320 , wherein each vertical edge of front wall  320  is attached to a vertical edge of each of the side walls  314 ,  316 . Rear wall  318  and front wall  320  are attached at their lower ends to bottom wall  312 . The upper ends of side walls  314 ,  316 , rear wall  318  and front wall  320  may be considered the upper frame  322  of holder  310 . Outwardly extending from upper frame  322  at side wall  314  is handle receiving member  324  that consists of rotatable arms  326 ,  328 . Similarly, outwardly extending from side wall  316  is handle receiving member  330  which consists of rotatable arms  332 ,  334 . 
     Holder  310  receives plastic bag  36  such that handles  38  are disposed about handle receiving members  324 ,  330  when arms  326 ,  328 ,  332 ,  334  are in their vertical position. Once plastic bag  36  is in place within holder  310 , arms  326 ,  328  of handle receiving member  324  and arms  332 ,  334  of handle receiving member  330  are rotated to secure plastic bag  36  within holder  310  as best seen in FIG.  6 . When the user of holder  310  desires to remove plastic bag  36  from holder  310 , arms  326 ,  328  of handle receiving member  324  and arms  332 ,  334  of handle receiving member  330  are returned to their vertical position such that plastic bag  36  may easily be removed from holder  310 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a holder for receiving a grocery bag and maintaining the bag in an upright open position is depicted and generally designated  410 . Holder  410  includes a base frame  412  and an upper frame  414 . Holder  410  includes four upwardly projecting support members  416  that extend between base frame  412  and upper frame  414  to support upper frame  414 . Rotatably positioned upon upper frame  414  is a pair of handle receiving members  418 ,  420 . Handle receiving members  418 ,  420  are rotatable between a vertical position, for receiving plastic bag  36  into and removing plastic bag  36  from holder  410 , and a position wherein handle receiving members  418 ,  420  are rotated a predetermined angle from vertical to secure plastic bag  36  within holder  410 . More specifically, handle receiving member  418  includes a pair of rotatable arms  422 ,  424  and handle receiving member  420  includes a pair of rotatable arms  426 ,  428 . As will be explained in more detail below, as rotatable arms  422 ,  424  of handle receiving member  418  are rotated from vertical, the distance between rotatable arm  422  and rotatable arm  424  increases. Likewise, as rotatable arms  426 ,  428  of handle receiving member  420  are rotated from vertical, the distance between rotatable arm  426  and rotatable arm  428  increases. This allows the user of holder  410  to not only easily place handles  38  of bag  36  over handle receiving members  418 ,  420  but also allows the user to stretch handles  38  of bag  36  as rotatable arms  422 ,  424  of handle receiving member  418  and rotatable arms  426 ,  428  of handle receiving member  420  are rotated from vertical. As such, bag  36  is tightly secured in place when holder  410  is supporting bag  36 . In addition, handle receiving members  418 ,  420  allow for ease in attaching and removing bag  36  from holder  410 . 
     In FIG. 8, another embodiment of a holder for supporting a plastic bag in an upright and open position is depicted and generally designated  510 . Holder  510  includes an upper frame  512  that consists of a pair of side panels  514 ,  516 , a rear panel  518  and a front panel  520 . Rear panel  518  is attached to side panels  514 ,  516  at their respective vertical edges. Similarly, front panel front  520  is attached to side panels  514 ,  516  at their respective vertical edges. Holder  510  also includes four upwardly projecting legs  522  that attach to the lower horizontal edge of side panels  514 ,  516 . The lower surfaces of legs  522  provide a base for holder  510 . Even though legs  522  are depicted as extending from side panels  514 ,  516 , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that legs  522  may alternatively extend from front panel  520  and rear panel  518 . 
     Upper frame  512  includes a pair of support members  524 ,  526  outwardly extending from side panel  514  and a similar pair of support members (not pictured) outwardly extending from side panel  516 . Extending between support members  524 ,  526  is rod  532 . Handle receiving member  536  is rotatably mounted on rod  532 . Similarly, a rod extends between the support members of side panel  516  such that handle receiving member  538  is rotatable thereabout. Handle receiving members  536 ,  538  operate in a manner similar to that of handle receiving members  418 ,  420  of FIG.  4 . Specifically, handle receiving member  536  includes a pair of rotatable arms  540 ,  542  and handle receiving member  538  includes a pair of rotatable arms  544 ,  546 . As will be explained in more detail below, as rotatable arms  540 ,  542  of handle receiving member  536  are rotated from vertical, the distance between rotatable arm  540  and rotatable arm  542  increases. Likewise, as rotatable arms  544 ,  546  of handle receiving member  538  are rotated from vertical, the distance between rotatable arm  544  and rotatable arm  546  increases. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9B, therein is depicted a detailed view of the operation of a handle receiving member  600 . Handle receiving member  600  is similar to handle receiving members  418 ,  420  of FIG.  7  and handle receiving members  536 ,  538  of FIG.  8 . Handle receiving member  600  includes a pair of rotatable arms  602 ,  604 . In the illustrated embodiment, rotatable arms  602 ,  604  may rotate independently of one another but it should be understood by those skilled in the art that a pair of rotating handles could alternatively rotate together without departing from the principles of the present invention. Rotatable arms  602 ,  604  rotate about an inner member  606 . Inner member  606  is disposed within and fixably attached to end sections  608 ,  610  and center section  612 . End sections  608 ,  610  may serve as part of upper frame  414  as seen in FIG. 7 or may be part of support members  524 ,  526  as seen in FIG.  8 . In either case, end sections  608 ,  610 , center section  612  and inner member  606  each have a generally circular cross section. End section  608  has an inner surface  614  that is cut at an angle relative to the vertical. Likewise, end section  610  has an inner surface  616  that is cut at an angle relative to the vertical. In an similar manner, outer surfaces  618 ,  620  of center section  612  are cut at angles relative to the vertical. As illustrated, the angle of inner surface  614  is equal to but opposite of the angle of outer surface  618 . Likewise, the angle of inner surface  616  is equal to but opposite of the angle of outer surface  620 . Preferably, these angle are 45 degrees. 
     Rotatable arm  602  has a base portion  622  that has a generally circular cross section. The outer surface  624  and the inner surface  626  of base portion  622  are each cut at the same angle relative to the vertical. Rotatable arm  604  has a base portion  628  that has a generally circular cross section. The outer surface  630  and the inner surface  632  of base portion  628  are each cut at the same angle relative to the vertical. 
     In operation, when rotatable arms  602 ,  604  are in the upwardly directed vertical position, as seen in FIG. 9A, the distance between rotatable arms  602 ,  604  is at a minimum. This allows the user of a holder utilizing handle receiving member  600  to place the handles of a bag around rotatable arms  602 ,  604  without having to stretch the bag. Once the handles of the bag are in place around rotatable arms  602 ,  604 , then rotatable arms  602 ,  604  may be rotated about inner member  606  a predetermined angle from vertical. As rotatable arms  602 ,  604  rotate, the interaction between the angled surfaces outwardly shifts rotatable arms  602 ,  604 . Specifically, the interaction of surface  618  and surface  626  outwardly shifts rotatable arm  602 . In a like manner, the interaction between surface  620  and surface  632  outwardly shifts rotatable arm  604 . Thus, the rotational motion of rotatable arms  602 ,  604  relative to inner member  606  also creates translational motion of rotatable arms  602 ,  604  relative to inner member  606  relative to each other. In the configuration seen in FIG. 9B, the distance between rotatable arms  602 ,  604  is at a maximum. This outward movement of rotatable arms  602 ,  604  allows the user to stretch the handles of the bag such that the bag is secured within a holder utilizing handle receiving member  600 . 
     When the user desires to remove the bag from the holder, the user reverses the rotation of rotatable arms  602 ,  604 . This reverse rotation creates interaction between the angled surfaces inwardly shifting rotatable arms  602 ,  604 . Specifically, the interaction of surface  614  and surface  624  inwardly shifts rotatable arm  602 . In a like manner, the interaction between surface  616  and surface  630  inwardly shifts rotatable arm  604 . In this configuration, as seen in FIG. 9A, the distance between rotatable arms  602 ,  604  is again at a minimum. This allow the user to remove the handles of the bag from the holder utilizing handle receiving member  600  without having to stretch the bag. 
     While this invention has been described with a reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.