Portable foldable multi-purpose flexible bag holder

The present invention is a lightweight portable foldable bag holder that can be carried by hand or mounted in a number of locations. It can be used in a number of horizontal or vertical positions varying between in an open or a closed position. The closed position being best suited for storage or transport with an attached bag. Uses include but are not limited to holding trash, recycling such as; crushed cans, plastic, paper, lawn and garden debris, outdoor uses include yet are not limited to concerts, athletic events, outdoor restaurants, on decks, on boats, recreational vehicles, picnics, in parks. The invention is suited for all types of flexible bags, and can be mounted in one location, or moved to another using handle and semi-permanently attached with a nail or new screws or temporarily attached to a pole or a tree using a cord or rope as supplied.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a refuse bag rack to hold a garbage bag for collecting garbage and, more particularly, to a multipurpose bag holder with means to support bags in an open position to receive articles, which is portable and can be collapsed for easier transport, or to fit with the rim flush with a wall or other surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refuse bags and holders have been known for some time in the prior art. Typically, the design is intended to be kept in one stationary location with a plastic bag of one size or another being held in an open position for ease of refuse disposal.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,351,094; issued Aug. 31, 1920 as a mounted sack holder is not portable and provides use with only one type of sack or bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,489; issued Jan. 26, 1982 as a bag holder for collapsible bags. This holder uses a support pole only which sticks into the ground and does not have provision for a cover or provide for a means of sealing the contents of the bag from the elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,315; issued Apr. 14, 1998 as a portable holder for a refuse bag having a sled portion on the bottom for dragging across the ground by road crews etc.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,553; issued Nov. 17, 1998 as a device for holding bags with a support ring and clam shell like clamping mechanism. It can be folded away to close the bag shut, however this is not portable and cannot be hand held.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,602; issued Sep. 7, 1999 as a portable trash-carrying device with a main objective of and arm for allowing the plastic bag to be held off the ground with a secondary bag of heavier weight to keep the plastic from splitting open. The current invention does not provide for mounting on an existing surface, or for covering with a top or multiple utility.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,139; issued Feb. 13, 2007 as a bag holder made of a wire frame for holding a bag in an upright and open position is mountable, typically in the inside door of a kitchen cabinet. It can have a top, yet not portable or usable or adaptable to a hand held operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,753; issued Jul. 3, 2007 is directed toward a debris collecting bag and bag holder having a sleeve which drops down into the bag and forms a trap door which prohibits the refuse from coming back up through the top allows the apparatus to be folded and manually operated, however it is not mountable nor does the folding close the bag.

The need exists for a multipurpose, portable bag holder having both a handle and means for mounting in a stationary position as desired. Means for mounting the holder may include wood or metal screws, nails, pegs and the like. Further a ropelike attachment, which may take the form of a cord, bungee cord, rope, strap, or the like is provided to mount the holder in a temporary fashion to a tree, post, pole or similar implement.

The bag holder can also be retracted, as desired, in such a way as to fit flush with a wall or other surface. Further, in this retracted position, the contents are secured and kept protected from wasps, bees, or other insects. In addition, the apparatus is easier to transport in the retracted position. When desired, the holder can be restored to its operational position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention, comprises a handle for ease of carrying with several means for mounting, either permanently or temporarily, to a wall or post as needed. Previous inventions from 1918 and until now have attempted to secure a bag to various hoops and stands, yet has not allowed the bag holder to be portable and therefore have multi-purpose utility. They either are mountable or portable, not both in one invention.

A bag holder that is portable, foldable and multi-purpose for holding a flexible bag in an open position. This mountable or hand held bag holder eliminates the need for a bulky container. This plastic molded lightweight bag holder, which supports a flexible plastic bag allowing cans, bottles, other recyclables, laundry, trash, grass clippings, or other debris to be easily directed into the bag. The bag holder top piece can then be folded to close the top of the bag.

Utilizing two mounting screws the bag holder can be hung in almost any location throughout the home, garage, deck, yard, picnic area, park, on a boat, recreational vehicle, or other outdoor location. The screws, wood or metal type can be attached appropriately loose to allow the bag holder to be lifted off the mount and moved to another location with the carrying handle.

The mounting bracket allows for various locations and the bag holder handle makes moving and set up operations easy. An operator simply needs to lift the bag holder off the screws and it can be comfortably carried to a new location. The bag holder could be mounted and used for cans in the garage and then attached to a stake or easily carried about by a person who is picking up and bagging either garbage or lawn and garden debris.

This bag holder is compact and bag sizes from small kitchen bags to large construction bags fit this holder. The bag holder and flexible bags allow for small space use by not needing a bulky container. For example, in a closet used for recycling, you can fit three bag holders in the same space needed for one bulky container that would hold a 33-gallon flexible bag.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1-4, show the Bagalot™ multipurpose flexible bag holder in a primary position for use. In this case the base10is mounted to a structure30such as tree or wooden pole or the like by means of an elongate flexible member28. An elongate flexible member28can be a rope, elastic cord, bungee cord, wire or the like to secure the base10to the structure. Additionally, a fastener such as a screw, nail or the like can be attached via the eyelet14and16fastening slot such that it can be semi-permanently affixed to a structure.FIGS. 1 and 3show the orifice40, generally comprised of an upper rim62and a lower rim42, in an approximately horizontal position for depositing articles of refuse, generally in a trash bag as shown inFIG. 3. The trash bag is held in place by means of a cleat52and latch receptacle54in this case. Those skilled in the art will recognize various alternative ways to hold a trash bag between a plurality of rims. The Bagalot™ multipurpose flexible bag holder is preferred to be manufactured of a rigid plastic molded by a machine process, or equivalent.

FIGS. 2 and 4show the orifice40retracted to an approximately vertical position to minimize the footprint. This is particularly valuable when space is tight, or as shown inFIG. 4, to allow the trash bag20to fold back on itself to quasi seal the contents of the bag20.

FIG. 5shows a means for integrating the elongated flexible member28into the base10for storage by means of a series of retainers27.

In use, the elongate flexible member28can be removed from the retainers27, generally by pulling the holder, placing the base10adjacent to a structure30(not shown), and encircling the elongate flexible member28around the structure30, and through the race22such that the holder26is secured to the receptacle24as shown inFIGS. 6A,6B, and6C. Generally the elongate flexible member28is preferred to be an elastic cord to create tension on the member28thus holding the base10tight against the structure30.

FIGS. 7 and 8show a means for holding the orifice40in a position approximately parallel with the base10for ease of transport. A handle12is included to facilitate transport. A soft-latch mechanism comprising a nib76which can also be a tooth, protrusion, lip, flange, projection or the like is coupled with a nib receptacle, which can be an indentation, notch, groove, dimple, pock or the like is arranged to form a catch. The soft-latch mechanism facilitates ease of transport, as shown inFIG. 7. It also facilitates the holding of the orifice40in a retracted position for minimal footprint, as shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 9shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention. A handle102, for ease of transport, and having a shelf105is attached to a vertical member103of sufficient dimensions and material to support a series of ledges112,114,116, and118. The shelf105is preferred to have a holding member such as a lip101, or equivalent structure, for holding the ring stabilizer120. The ring stabilizer in turn is connected through a several ring attachments122with a bag retaining means, preferably comprised of a first retainer108and a second retainer110. The ring attachment should be placed such that the load is balanced, but can be at a wide variety of locations along the circumference of the retainers108, and110. In the present example, the ring attachment is located midway between the back and front edges.

The ledges,112,114,116,118, and119in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 10A,10B, and10C; are spaced such that the proximal end of the retainers108,110be press fit between them forming a plurality of possible arrangements. The present embodiment allows a plurality of rim positions for the convenience and amusement of the user.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. The invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.