Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for bagging debris in a commercially available trash bag which has closure straps. The device is composed of a housing defining a generally cylindrical enclosure whose ends are in open communication with the exterior of the housing. The housing is flattened on one side to maintain the device in a stable position when it is placed on the ground. The housing has a handle attached to its exterior to enable a user to lift and maneuver the device. The housing has a means for attaching a trash bag which has one or more closure straps to one end of the housing using the trash bag&#39;s closure straps such that the generally cylindrical enclosure of the housing is in open communication with the interior of the trash bag.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates to devices for trash, leaf and/or debris bagging. More particularly, this invention relates to devices for trash, leaf and/or debris bagging which use the straps of a trash bag for attaching such bags to the device.  
         [0005]     2. Description of the Problem  
         [0006]     Homeowners periodically dispose of debris, such as leaves, cut grass, and paper refuse, which have accumulated in the yards of their homes by placing such debris in paper or plastic trash bags. The process of bagging yard debris typically consists of raking the debris into one or more piles followed by moving the contents of the piles into an open trash bag. The operation of moving the accumulated debris into a trash bag by hand is cumbersome, requiring the homeowner to find some way to hold the trash bag open while laboriously moving handfuls of debris into the bag or using the rake to push the debris into the open bag.  
         [0007]     Devices have previously been constructed to assist homeowners in bagging yard debris. Typically such devices are frames, funnels, or platforms which hold a trash bag in an open position and which may provide a pathway to direct the debris into the open bag using a rake or shovel. The primary disadvantage of all such devices is that the means used to attach a trash bag to the device is either relatively cumbersome to operate, prone to tearing the bag, or fails to securely hold the bag as the bag becomes weighed down with debris. None of these devices takes advantage of the most natural and strongest attachment point for trash bags, the bag&#39;s closure straps.  
         [0008]     3. Description of Related Art  
         [0009]     Previously, devices or systems for bagging debris have used a number of basic mechanisms for attaching trash bags to the device. One method of attaching a trash bag to a bagging device is to stretch the trash bag over the device&#39;s frame. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,274 (McVay). The &#39;274 device is comprised of a rectangular frame rotatably mounted on a fixed base. The entire device is inserted into the opening of a trash bag and then the rectangular frame is rotated until it is pressed tightly against the trash bag&#39;s side walls. Another such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,503 (Horan). The &#39;503 device is comprised of a wedge shaped platform with two spring actuated arms on either side of the platform. The arms of the device are retracted and the entire device is inserted into the opening of the bag. The arms of the device are then allowed to spring out against the side walls of the bag, holding the bag in place.  
         [0010]     One disadvantage of these of devices is that they engage the trash bag on the bag&#39;s relatively weak side walls and are thus prone to tear the bag. A second disadvantage of these devices is that inserting the device into the bag is a relatively slow and cumbersome operation. A third disadvantage of these devices is that they are manufactured with a number of moving parts which increases the cost of manufacturing the devices and makes the devices less durable than devices with no moving components.  
         [0011]     A second method of attaching a trash bag to a bagging device is to clamp the trash bag to the device&#39;s frame. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,027 (Fullilove). The &#39;027 device is comprised of a telescoping rectangular frame mounted on a wedge shaped platform. The rectangular frame has clamps running the length of the top and both sides of the frame. The open end of a trash bag is clamped to the top and the sides of the device&#39;s frame with the back of the wedge shaped platform inserted in the bag&#39;s opening. The dimensions of the frame are adjusted to approximate that of the opening of the bag.  
         [0012]     One disadvantage of this device is that inserting the device into a trash bag and clamping the bag to the device is a relatively slow and cumbersome operation. A second disadvantage of this device is that it contains a number of moving parts which increases the cost of manufacturing the device and makes the device less durable than devices with no moving components. A third disadvantage of this type of device is that the devices clamps may tear the bag as the bag is stretched while it is being filled.  
         [0013]     A third method of attaching a trash bag to a bagging device is to use a strap or cord to secure the bag to the device&#39;s housing. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,406 (Petersen). The &#39;406 device is comprised of a open ended housing with a retaining channel encircling the housing on one end and an adjustable strap. The housing is inserted into the opening of a trash bag and the adjustable strap is placed then over the bag and housing and seated in the retaining channel. The strap is then tightened and secured, fixing the bag on the housing.  
         [0014]     One disadvantage of this device that inserting the device into the bag and securing the bag with a retaining strap is a relatively slow and cumbersome operation. A second disadvantage of this device is that it contains a separate retaining strap which increases the cost of manufacturing the device. A third disadvantage of this device is that the retaining strap can be lost or broken, rendering the device unusable.  
         [0015]     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable commercially available trash bags to be rapidly attached to and detached from a leaf bagging apparatus with a minimum of effort by the apparatus&#39;s user.  
         [0016]     Another object of the present invention is to minimize the risk that that a trash bag attached to a leaf bagging apparatus will tear when the bag is attached to the apparatus or when the bag fills with debris.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to minimize the number of components used to create a leaf bagging apparatus, making the device less expensive to manufacture and more reliable in operation.  
         [0018]     Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the drawing is studied in conjunction with the detailed specification.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     The present invention is an apparatus and a method for bagging debris in a commercially available trash bag which has closure straps. The device is composed of a housing defining a generally cylindrical enclosure whose ends are in open communication with the exterior of the housing. The housing is flattened on one side to maintain the device in a stable position when it is placed on the ground. The housing has a handle attached to its exterior to enable a user to lift and maneuver the device. The housing has a means for attaching a trash bag which has one or more closure straps to one end of the housing using the trash bag&#39;s closure straps such that the generally cylindrical enclosure of the housing is in open communication with the interior of the trash bag.  
         [0020]     In one embodiment of the device, the means for attaching the trash bag to the housing are one or more members attached to the external circumference one end of the housing. Such members can be either a removable clip or a projection molded to the housing such that the member extends outward from the housing, and upward toward the opposite end of the housing creating a cradle in the elbow of the member. A user pulls the trash bag straps up and over the end of the members into the elbow or cradle of the member.  
         [0021]     The method of bagging trash described here is comprised of the steps of holding a trash bag which has one or more closure straps in a fixed and open position using the bag&#39;s closure straps to hold the bag in position, guiding debris onto a relatively flat surface located adjacent to the opening of the trash bag, and tilting the flat surface adjacent to the opening of the trash bag such that gravity causes the debris to fall through the opening of the trash bag into the interior of the trash bag. In one embodiment of the invention, the weight of the debris in the trash bag cause the straps of the trash bag to be more held more firmly. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0022]      FIG. 1 . is a diagonal elevation view of one embodiment of a leaf bagging device.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2 . is a side view of the embodiment of the leaf bagging device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 3 . is a top view of the embodiment of a leaf bagging device shown in  FIG. 1  and a detailed view of the bag handle clip on the device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , the leaf bagging device is comprised of a generally cylindrical housing  1  with a two open ends  2  and  4 , a handle  12 , and clips  14  for attaching a trash bag with closure straps to the housing  1  over the open end  4 . The housing  1  is constructed of polypropylene, but could also be constructed of other durable, lightweight materials such as other types of plastic, metal, such as aluminum, or wood. The handle  12  and the clips  14  are also constructed of polypropylene, but could also be constructed of other durable materials such as other types of plastic, metal, such as aluminum, or wood. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle  12  is molded into the housing  1  and the clips are molded separately and inserted into slots in the housing, however, both components could be molded into the housing or molded separately and attached to the housing using tabs, screws, or other conventional means of attachment.  
         [0026]     One wall of the housing  8  is flattened, allowing the housing  1  to rest in a stable position on the ground. The handle  12  is positioned on a wall  10  of the housing  1  opposite the flattened wall  8  of the housing  1 . One end  2  of the housing  1  is larger in width and circumference than the opposite end  4  of the housing  1 . The walls of the housing  1 , with the exception of the flattened wall  8 , slope as they proceed from the larger open end  2  of the housing  1  to the smaller open end  4  of the housing  1 . Thus, the walls of the housing  1  define an approximately funnel shaped channel  6 . The flow of debris in the device flows through the channel  6  from the larger open end  2  to the smaller open end  4 . The funnel shape of the channel  6  of the housing tends to compress debris as they flow from the larger open end  2  of the housing towards the smaller open end of the housing  4 .  
         [0027]     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , the flat wall  26  of the housing  20  is flat the entire length of the housing  20  from the larger open end  22  of the housing  20  to the smaller open end  24  of the housing  20 . The wall of the housing  28  opposite the flat wall  26  of the housing  20  slopes downward as it moves from the larger open end  22  of the housing  20  to the smaller open end  24  of the housing  20 . The flow of debris in the device flows through the channel within the housing  34 - 34 ′ from the larger open end  22  of the housing to the smaller open end  24  of the housing. Two clips  32  for attaching a trash bag with closure straps to the housing  20  over the smaller open end  24  are mounted near the small open  24  of the housing  20  approximately midway between the flat wall  26  of the housing  20  and the top of the housing  20 .  
         [0028]     The handle  30  is is positioned on the wall  28  of the housing  20  opposite the flattened wall  26  of the housing  20  near the larger open end  22  of the housing  20 . Positioning the handle  30  near the larger open end  22  of the housing  20  causes the housing to tilt in direction of the smaller end  24  when the housing  20  is lifted using the handle  30 . The axis of the handle  30  is parallel to direction of flow of debris through the channel  34 - 34 ′ of the housing  20 . Positioning the axis of the handle  30  parallel to the flow of debris through the channel  34 - 34 ′ of the housing  20  allows the user of the apparatus to hold the apparatus in a stable position when debris are forced through the channel  34 - 34 ′ of the housing  20 .  
         [0029]     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , a trash bag  49  can be attached to the smaller open end  44  of the housing  40  by the trash bags closure straps using two clips  48  attached to opposite sides of the housing  40  near the smaller open end  44  of the housing  40 . The interior of the trash bag  49  is in open communication with the channel  45 - 45 ′ of the housing  40 . Debris are raked into the larger open end  42  of the housing  40  and flow through the channel of the housing  40  into the interior of the trash bag  49 . The axis of the handle  46  is parallel to the channel of the housing  45 - 45 ′ of the housing  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the larger open end  42  of the housing  40  is somewhat wider than the head of a standard leaf rake, although devices with narrower or wider openings could be constructed for use with narrower or wider rakes, brooms, or shovels. In the preferred embodiment, the smaller open end  44  of the housing  40  is smaller than the opening of a standard 20 or 40 gallon trash bag, although devices with narrower or wider openings could be constructed for use with smaller and larger trash bags.  
         [0030]     The clip  48  is inserted into a slot in the housing  40  using a tab  50  on the back of the clip. The clip  48  has a hook with a bottom elbow  54  and a top flange  52  that flares outward. The axis of the clip  56 - 56 ′ is orientated parallel to the channel of  45 - 45 ′ of the housing  40  with the top flange  52  of the clip  48  pointing towards the larger open end  42  of the housing and away from the smaller open end  44  of the housing  40 . The structure of the hook creates a cradle in the elbow of the member. A user pulls the closure straps of a trash bag straps up and over the top flange  52  of the hook and down toward the elbow  54  of the hook into the cradle created by the elbow  54  of the hook. This method of attachment rapidly secures the strapped bag to the smaller open end  44  of the housing  40  using only the straps of the trash bag. In addition, as weight is added to the trash bag, the straps of the trash bag are pulled more tightly, causing the bag to seal even more securely around the smaller open end  44  of the housing  40 . Note that the means for attaching the trash bag to the housing need not be limited to a clip as described above, but could include any kind of projection attached to or molded into the housing such that the projection extends outward from the housing, and upward toward the end of the larger open end  42  of the housing  40  creating a cradle in the elbow of the member.  
         [0031]     An illustrative operational cycle of the preferred embodiment is as follows. The open end of a trash bag with closure straps is slipped over the smaller end  44  of the housing. Each closure strap of the trash bag is slipped over the top flange  52  of a clip  48  nearest that closure strap. The closure straps are then pulled down into elbow  54  of the hook of the clip  48  into which that closure strap was inserted. The apparatus is then placed on the ground resting on the flat side  8  of the housing  1 . Leaves and other debris are raked into the larger open end  2  of the housing  1 . When the housing  1  has been filled with debris, the housing  1  is tilted by raising the larger open end  2  of the housing above the smaller open end of the housing  4  using the handle  12 . Gravity causes debris to slide through the channel  6  into the trash bag attached to the smaller end of the housing  4 . The operation of filling the housing  1  and emptying it into the trash bag may be repeated until the trash bag is full. The closure straps of the trash bag are then slipped off of the clips  14  on the housing  1  and the bag is slipped off of the apparatus and sealed using the trash bag&#39;s closure straps.  
         [0032]     The form of housing  1  is designed and constructed such that the housing circumference is smaller moving along the  34 - 34 ′ axis in housing  20 , creating the opportunity for multiple embodiments to be packaged together by inserting open end  24  into open end  22  of the next embodiment, in the case where the handle  30  and the clip  32  are not molded to the housing, but rather, attached later by the user.  
         [0033]     The foregoing description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application of those principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.