Abstract:
A bag storage and holding apparatus for a recyclable or disposable handle bag. The apparatus has a receptacle for storing handle bags for future use and in some embodiments it has a cover over the open top portion of the receptacle. The cover can be opened or closed. On each end of the receptacle is a rotatably mounted side arm, which can swing up or down through approximately 90 degrees. When the arms are in an approximately horizontal position, the apparatus is positioned for receiving a handle bag and maintaining it in an open position. Securing means, in the form of a locking tab, are provided to secure the side arms in an upward position. Each side arm has handle engaging means, preferably in the form of at least two upwardly projecting hooks with slots therein for retaining the bag in an open position for receipt of refuse.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/427,240, which was filed on Apr. 30, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,416. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to bag hanging and storage devices, and more particularly to an apparatus for storing and hanging handle bags and the like for receiving refuse. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     There are various devices for holding handle bags open for the purpose of receiving refuse. Some of these devices stand on a flat surface, while others are mounted on a vertical surface. However, one common aspect is that the bag is held open so that refuse can be deposited inside. 
     Several of the known devices also have hinged or collapsible arms for holding the open bag. These arms may be notched or grooved for placement and holding of the handle. The arms can be folded inward for storage of the device when not in use. This is particularly advantageous where the device is mounted on the inside of a cabinet door, for example. 
     However, no known device also provides for sufficient storage of bags when not in use. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a bag holding and storage apparatus for retaining a recyclable or disposable handle bag, which bag may be of the type referred to as “plastic” in retail stores. It provides a means to store bags when not in use and to conveniently access and position them in an open position for receiving refuse. The apparatus is preferably mounted in a convenient location, for example, on the inside of a cabinet door. When not in use, the arms of the apparatus can be folded down to minimize the space it occupies. 
     The apparatus has a receptacle shaped and configured to store a plurality of bags. In some embodiments, a cover or lid is provided on the receptacle and can be placed in an open or closed position. The receptacle has first and second ends and front and back sides. A first side arm member having a top surface is also provided. This member is rotatably connected at the first end of the receptacle and is capable of extending forward from the front side when in a receiving position and extending downward when in a stored position. A second side arm member having a top surface is provided. This member is rotatably connected at the second end of the receptacle and is capable of extending forward from the front side when in a receiving position and extending downward when in a stored position. Securing means are located on the first and second ends of the receptacle for securing the first side arm and the second side arm, respectively, in a receiving position. A bag handle engaging means on the top surface of each side arm member, is adapted to positively retain the handle of the bag, thereby holding the bag open for receipt of refuse. 
     In one embodiment, the bag handle engaging means includes hooks that project upward and preferably slightly away from the center of the apparatus. The hooks are formed on a longitudinal axis of the top surface of the side arm members and are configured to engage the handles of the bag and retain the bag in an open position. In a preferred embodiment, there are at least two hooks on the top surface of each side arm member. 
     In another embodiment, the bag handle engaging means have slots therein for receiving a bag handle. In a further preferred embodiment, each slot has semi-spherical bumps therein to further aid in retaining the bag handle. The two slots on each side arm member form a central section therebetween. The slots are particularly adapted to positively retain the handle of the bag in a manner holding the bag open for receipt of refuse. 
     In the embodiments disclosed herein, the side arm members are rotatable through approximately 90 degrees so that they are movable between an approximately horizontal position and an approximately vertical position. 
     In the embodiments disclosed herein, the securing means further has a locking tab means. The locking tab means has a tab and a bulbous body portion so that, when in an engaged position, the body portion prevents rotation of the side arm, and when in a disengaged position, it allows rotation of the side arm. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is perspective view of an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the handle securing means of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 with the cover in an open position; 
     FIG. 8 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; and 
     FIG. 9 is a detailed partial perspective view of the handle securing means of the embodiment shown in FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. In the following paragraphs, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bag storage and hanging device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is illustrated and designated generally by the numeral  10 . The device has receptacle  12  that is generally shaped and configured to store a plurality of bags when they are not in use. Those skilled in the art understand that the size of the receptacle may vary depending on various factors including the overall space to be occupied by the apparatus and also the number of bags to be stored. The receptacle also has means  22  for attachment to a solid support, for example, usually a vertical surface or the inside wall or door of a cabinet. Means  22  can be a screw, or other appropriate form of attachment well known to those skilled in the art. Hole  24  is provided on a front side of the receptacle, thereby allowing a screwdriver, for example, to be used to secure the receptacle to the support. Opening  20 , which is near or at the bottom portion of the receptacle, serves as convenient means for access and withdrawal of bags from the receptacle. It is preferable to withdraw the bags from the bottom of the receptacle in this manner since they will be more likely withdrawn one at a time. If a bag is removed from the top of the receptacle, it is quite possible that more than one bag will come out at a time. 
     Receptacle  10  has a front and back, as well as a first end and a second end. First side arm member  14  is rotatably connected at the first end of the receptacle by pivot connection  15 , which may be a bolt or dowel. Other well-known forms of connection are also contemplated herein. Member  14  is capable of extending forwardly from the front side to receiving position  17 . It is also capable of extending downwardly to storage position  19  (indicated in dashed lines). The path of rotation of member  14  is indicated by arrow “a” in FIG.  1 . Second side arm member  16  is rotatably connected at the second end of the receptacle and operates in a similar manner. 
     Securing means  18 , located on the first and second ends of the receptacle, secures each side arm member in receiving position  17 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the securing means is a locking tab, made up of a tab and a bulbous body portion, which when in an engaged position, prevents rotation of the side arms, and when in a disengaged position allows rotation of the side arm. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, by pressing securing means  18  away from the side arm, or toward the center of the receptacle, as shown by arrow “b,” bulbous body portion  28  is withdrawn from an interior space or detent of the side arm, thereby allowing the side arm to rotate. Means  18  is tensioned so that in a relaxed state it is in an engaged position. Phantom lines adjacent to means  18  in FIG. 2 show the disengaged position of the securing means. 
     Side arm members  14  and  16  also have bag handle engaging means  26  on their top surfaces. The bag handle engaging means are adapted to positively retain the handle of the bag, thereby holding the bag open for the receipt of refuse. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bag handle engaging means is formed as raised lip  26  on a longitudinal axis of the top surface of side arm members  14  and  16 . The lip extends upward and slightly away from the center of the apparatus, thereby being configured to engage the handles of the bag and retain the bag in an open position. 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Arrow “a” shows the movement of the side arm from engaged position  17  to disengaged position  19 . When the side arm is in the disengaged position, it is generally flush with the front surface of the receptacle. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment  30  of the present invention. Horizontal edges  31  and  32  of side arm members  33  and  34 , respectively, have a pair of spaced notch means or grooves  38  and  39 , respectively, formed therein in a spaced relationship. Notches  38  and  39  are dimensioned for receiving opposing sides of inverted U-shaped handles, which are disposed on opposing sides of a plastic grocery bag, for example. Thus, the bag is held open when the handle sides are inserted into the notches. In other respects, this embodiment  30  is similar in design and operation to previous embodiments. The spaced notch means form a central section therebetween in each side arm member. The notches are also adapted to positively retain the handle of the bag when the handle extends partially around the central section when looped from outside inwardly over the central section. 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the notches shown in the embodiment of FIG.  4 . Formed within notches  39  are irregularities  40  to facilitate positive engagement of the handle. In one embodiment, the irregularities are bumps or semi-spherical ridges. These bumps or ridges may be arranged in an alternating fashion on opposite faces of the notches. Although only one is shown in each notch, there could be more than one ridge or bump, preferably two, in each notch. The ridges or bumps therefore serve to further secure the bag handle within the recesses and to prevent the handle from coming out of the notches unintentionally. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a bag storage and hanging device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is illustrated and designated generally by the reference numeral  50 . As in the previous embodiments, the device has a receptacle that is generally shaped and configured to store a plurality of bags when they are not in use and an opening, which is near or at the bottom portion of the receptacle, to serve as convenient means for access and withdrawal of individual bags from the receptacle. It is preferable to withdraw the bags from the bottom of the receptacle in this manner since they will be more likely withdrawn one at a time. If a bag is removed from the top of the receptacle, it is quite possible that more than one bag will come out at a time. 
     As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the receptacle has cover or lid  51  over the opening of the receptacle. The cover serves to contain bags inside the receptacle during storage. The cover is preferably hinged and can be lifted up, as shown in FIG. 7, so that bags can be placed inside. In addition, the cover serves to prevent trash material from entering the receptacle when a bag is placed in a hanging position on the device. 
     Side arm member  53  is rotatably connected in the manner described in previous embodiments. Member  53  is capable of extending forwardly from the front side of the receptacle to a receiving position, which is approximately horizontal. It is also capable of extending downwardly to storage position  57  (indicated in dashed lines). The path of rotation of member  53  is indicated by arrow “a” in FIGS. 6 and 7. A second side arm member is rotatably connected at the second end of the receptacle and operates in a similar manner. 
     Securing means are located on the first and second ends of the receptacle, securing each side arm member in a receiving position. The securing means are substantially the same as in previous embodiments described herein. 
     Each side arm member also has bag handle engaging means  52  on its top surface. The bag handle engaging means are adapted to positively retain the handle of the bag, thereby holding the bag open for the receipt of refuse. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the bag handle engaging means is formed as upwardly projecting hooks on a longitudinal axis of the top surface of each side arm member. The hooks extend upward and preferably slightly away from the center of the apparatus, thereby being configured to engage the handles of the bag and retain the bag in an open position. In a preferred embodiment, the hooks have slots  58  formed therebetween. 
     FIG. 8 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Arrow “a” shows the movement of the side arm from the engaged horizontal position to an approximately vertical disengaged position. When the side arm is in the disengaged position, it is generally flush with the front surface of receptacle  54 . 
     FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the embodiment  50  of the present invention. As described above, each side arm member has a pair of spaced upwardly projecting hooks  52  formed therein in a spaced relationship. Slots are formed in hooks  52  for receiving opposing sides of inverted U-shaped handles, which are disposed on opposing sides of a plastic grocery bag, for example. Thus, the bag is held open when the handle sides are inserted into the slots. In other respects, this embodiment  50  is similar in design and operation to previous embodiments. On the top surface of each side arm member the spaced-apart hooks form a central section therebetween. 
     Formed within the slots are irregularities  55  to facilitate positive engagement of the bag handle. In one embodiment, the irregularities are bumps or semi-spherical ridges. These bumps or ridges may be arranged in an alternating fashion on opposite faces of the slots. The bumps therefore serve to further secure the bag handle within the hooks and to prevent the handle from coming out of the slots unintentionally. 
     Certain preferred embodiments have been described above. It is to be understood that a latitude of modification and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and that these modifications and substitutions are within the literal scope, or are equivalent to the claims that follow. Accordingly, the following claims should be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the intent and scope of the invention herein described.