Bag extraction device

A bag extraction device for removing a plastic bag from a bag holding container. The device includes a handle for removing the bag from the container. The handle is attached to a rigid frame that supports the plastic bag. Pores at the bottom of the frame and opening at the top of the frame allow air to flow through its interior. The device substantially equalizes pressure above and below the plastic bag. During extraction from its bag holding container, the bag is prevented from breaking and spilling its contents.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention pertains to a device for pulling a plastic bag out of 
a bag holding container and, more particularly, to a device for overcoming 
the vacuum created between the bag and the inner surface of the container 
and minimizing effort to remove the bag from the container. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
When garbage is placed in a plastic lining bag, disposed in a metal or 
plastic, rigid garbage pail or other bag holding container, the bag 
expands until it comes in contact with the inner surface of its bag 
holding container. The pressure from the garbage in the bag expands 
against the inner surface of the container. As the pressure increases, air 
is mostly expunged from between the lower, inner surface of the bag 
holding container and the bottom portion of the plastic bag. At this 
point, a partial vacuum is created. 
The pressure of the remaining trapped air is less than that of atmospheric 
pressure on the top of the plastic bag. Therefore, the vacuum is difficult 
to overcome when trying to remove the plastic bag from the bag holding 
container. 
Pulling harder from above, to remove the plastic bag results in the garbage 
or other contents settling towards the bottom of the bag, exacerbating the 
problem of extraction. The combination of pulling on the bag and the 
weight of the settled garbage can be substantial enough to cause the bag 
to rupture either at its upper extremities or at its lowermost region(s), 
spilling the contents thereof. 
What is needed is a device to break the vacuum between the lower, inner 
surface of the bag holding container and the bottom portion of the plastic 
bag, minimizing the effort needed to remove a plastic bag from its bag 
holding container. 
The present invention provides such a device and is equipped with a handle 
by which to extract the device, removing the plastic bag from the 
container. The handle is attached to a framework which mechanically 
supports the bottom of the bag and prevents it from breaking, upon 
removing the bag from the container. 
Although prior art devices teach vacuum reducing means, the present 
invention breaks or substantially reduces the vacuum during bag 
extraction. A handle attached to the framework of the device allows 
removal of the plastic bag. The combination of a vacuum reducing means and 
a handle with framework requires an operator to use only minimal effort 
when removing a plastic bag from a bag holding container. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,156, issued to RACE, a sling is disclosed, 
comprising handles, specifically designed to conform to the inside of a 
bin and disposed to underlay a trash bag in the bin. The sling may be 
withdrawn, thereby removing the trash bag, by exerting a lifting force on 
its handles. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,906, issued to KOEHELEK, an air channel system for 
trash containers is shown. The container has an open top, a closed bottom, 
and an interior surface portion with a plurality of laterally spaced, 
vertical ribs. Between the ribs are multiple narrow channels that extend 
longitudinally between the top and bottom of the trash container. The 
channels provide a means of escape for air trapped between the container 
and a liner. Similarly, the channels allow air to flow through when a 
liner is being removed from the bag, thereby preventing a vacuum from 
forming. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,732, issued to BOWERS et al., a vacuum release 
garbage can is illustrated. The garbage container comprises an air 
conduit, which extends along the vertical length of the container, having 
side wall openings. This design affects the vacuum in the container when a 
plastic liner is inserted into the garbage can. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bag 
extraction device comprising vacuum reducing means and mechanical means 
for supporting and removing a plastic bag. One particular application of 
the inventive device is to minimize the effort necessary to remove a 
plastic bag from a bag holding container. 
The present invention equalizes and stabilizes the pressure below the 
garbage bag so that it is substantially equal to pressure above the bag. 
This is accomplished by having a framework within a bag holding container, 
comprising pores and an inner channel, which enables air flow between the 
air above the bag and the trapped air below the bag. Now, the effort 
necessary to remove the bag is minimal. To make the job of removing the 
bag even easier, a handle is provided. The handle is attached to the 
above-mentioned framework. 
It is an object of this invention to stabilize the pressure below a plastic 
bag so that it is substantially the same as the pressure above the bag. 
It is another object of the invention to break the vacuum between the inner 
surface of the bag holding container and the bottom portion of the plastic 
bag. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a handle by which to 
remove a plastic bag from a bag holding container. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a framework for supporting 
a plastic bag from below. 
It is still another object of the invention to provide a framework for 
supporting a plastic bag so that the bag does not break when being removed 
from a garbage holding container. 
It is still another object of the invention to have a framework comprising 
pores and channels through which air can flow. 
It is yet another object of the invention to allow air to flow freely 
through the framework so as to stabilize the pressure below the garbage 
bag.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Generally speaking, the invention pertains to a waste container extraction 
device which reduces the vacuum formed between a plastic bag and its bag 
holding container. The device comprises a handle attached to a frame. 
Referring now to the FIGURE, there is shown the bag extraction device 10 of 
the present invention comprising a base 12 which is planar and 
approximately circular. However, for square or rectilinear containers, the 
base 12 need not be circular in shape. Preferably, the base 12 of the 
extraction device 10 conforms to the inside of the container into which it 
is placed. 
The base 12 further comprises a horizontal cross-member 14a and a vertical 
cross-member 14b. The members 14a and 14b provide additional support at 
the bottom of a plastic bag, not shown. Members 14a and 14b also function 
to make the base 12 rigid, thereby allowing an operator to pull a plastic 
bag out of a garbage holding container without causing the extraction 
device 10 to fail (i.e., break). The horizontal cross-member 14a and 
vertical cross-member 14b can be made of sections, attached to the base 12 
by a method known in the art. It is preferable, however, to have base 12 
and cross-members 14a and 14b in one, integral piece. 
An upright member 16 is attached to the base 12 at a connection point 18 by 
a fastening method such as adhesive, welding, or other method well known 
in the art. The upright member 16 is operatively connected to the base 12 
allowing air flow therebetween. It is desirable to have an extraction 
device 10 with two upright members 16 substantially opposite one another. 
This allows a handle 26 to be connected to the two upright members 16, 
allowing an operator to use only minimal effort to remove a plastic bag. 
Now, the function of the horizontal cross-member 14a and vertical 
cross-member 14b is clear. When an operator removes the extraction device 
10 from a garbage holding container, not shown, an upward force is exerted 
on the handle 26, thereby causing the upright member 16 to act like a 
moment arm. The upright member 16 tends to rotate about the connection 
point 18 towards the center 12a of the base 12. Without the support of the 
both cross-members 14a and 14b, the base 12 elongates outwardly at 
connection point 18. If a plastic bag is heavy enough, there will be 
sufficient tension on the base 12 to cause failure. The horizontal 
cross-member 14a and vertical cross-member 14b hold the base 12 together. 
The base 12, cross-members 14a and 14b, and upright member 16 substantially 
make up the frame 10 of the extraction device 10. This supporting frame 10 
is porous and hollow, making the frame 10 lightweight and allowing fluid 
(air) to flow through its interior. However, the base 12 and its 
cross-members 14a and 14b may be solid. Furthermore, the frame 10, as a 
whole, should be made from a material which is lightweight, cost 
effective, and able to support the weight of a filled plastic bag. The 
preferred material for the frame 10 is plastic or a composite thereof. 
The base 12 and its cross-members 14a and 14b have multiple apertures 20 
with substantially even amounts of space between them. The apertures 20 
extend from the outer surface of the frame 10 to its inner hollow space 
24. Preferably, the apertures 20 should also cover a substantial portion 
of the upright member 16 (i.e., the portion around the bottom of the 
plastic bag). It is possible, however, that the apertures 20 cover only 
the lower portion of the upright member 16 and not the base 12 and 
cross-members 14a and 14b. 
A handle 26 is movably connected to the frame 10 in a fashion well known in 
the art. More particularly, the handle 26 is attached to the upright 
member 16. Arrow 27 shows the direction of rotation of the handle 26. The 
handle 26 is preferably arc-like in shape for strength and to make it less 
prone to failure. Similar to the frame 10, the handle 26 should be made 
from a material which is lightweight, cost effective, and able to support 
the weight of a filled plastic bag and supporting frame 10. The preferred 
material for the handle 26 is plastic or a composite thereof. 
An operator can lift the frame 10 by using the handle 26, minimizing the 
effort necessary in removing the bag. The supporting frame 10 is placed in 
a bag holding container with the handle 26 resting atop the periphery of 
the container. A plastic bag is subsequently placed in the frame 10 and 
fastened to the bag holding container. Upon removing the plastic bag from 
the container, the handle 26 is rotated (arrow 27) so that an operator can 
lift the bag out of the container. 
The combined forces of the vacuum and an operator pulling up on a bag is, 
unfortunately, sufficient to break the bag. The purpose of the frame 10 is 
to provide support for a garbage bag, preventing it from breaking and 
spilling its contents. The structure and composition of the supporting 
frame 10 are important to minimizing the effort needed to remove a bag 
from a garbage holding container. 
There is an opening 22 atop the upright member 16. The opening 22 and the 
apertures 20 on the base 12, its cross-members 14a and 14b, and upright 
member 16 allow air flow (arrow 28) in and out of the space between the 
lower, inner surface of a bag holding container and the bottom portion of 
the plastic bag. 
The apertures 20 and inner hollow space or air channel 24 are used to 
equalize and stabilize the pressure below the plastic bag so that it is 
substantially equal to pressure above the bag. The aperture 20 and air 
space 24 enable air flow (arrow 28) between the air above the bag and the 
trapped air below the bag. Air flows (arrow 28) into the apertures 20, 
through the air space 24, and out an opening 22 at the top of the upright 
member 16. Conversely, air flows (arrow 28) into the opening 22 at the top 
of the upright member 16, through the air space 24, and out the apertures 
20 of the supporting frame 10. Thus, the pressure below the bag increases 
while stationary in the bag holding container and upon being pulled out of 
the container. When the air pressure above and below the bag become 
substantially the same, it is possible to remove the bag from the 
container with minimal effort. 
Since other modification and changes varied to fit particular operating 
requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the 
art, 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 present in the subsequently appended claims.