Abstract:
The bag insert of the present invention is an apparatus for aiding in the management of a waste collection bag during waste collection. In one embodiment, the bag insert is placed inside the waste collection bag and then expanded. Once expanded, the bag insert maintains the bag in an upright and open position. Further, the bag insert forms a hollow rectangular tube such that waste can be placed inside the bag by dropping the waste through the open top of the bag insert. The waste collection bag may be placed inside the expanded bag insert, wherein the bag insert maintains the bag in an upright and substantially open position. After waste collection is complete, the bag insert is capable of being folded along several axes such that the size of the bag insert is reduced for storage.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/401,978 filed on Aug. 8, 2002 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention deals with an apparatus to aid in the management and usability of collection bags for waste collection. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Yard waste removal has long been a task completed by homeowners all over the world. In many areas, yard waste, such as leaves and grass clippings, is considered to be recyclable material and is therefore directed to compost facilities. Many cities and municipalities will dispose of yard waste separately than normal trash for recycling. However, the yard waste is typically required to be stored in a special waste collection bag for pickup. Hardware and convenience stores generally sell paper yard waste collection bags that are compliant with the regulations governing such disposal and recycling of yard waste. When using these paper yard waste collection bags, several problems and annoyances come to light. Just as any waste bag, these paper yard waste collection bags are difficult to open and to hold open during waste collection and deposit into the bag. 
   There are many existing apparatuses for aiding in the management of waste collection bags. Some of these are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,296,212 to Monahan, 6,131,861 to Fortier et al., 5,857,722 to Ayotte, and 5,924,657 to Bach. The apparatuses disclosed by Monahan, Fortier, Ayotte, and Bach each has deficiencies. Monahan discloses a flexible flat device that forms an arc to hold open a lawn bag in a horizontal direction when flexed and placed inside the lawn bag. The lawn bag is typically laid on the ground and the waste is swept into the bag. Further, the device disclosed in Monahan is large by nature cannot be conveniently stored when not in use. In addition, the device disclosed in Monahan is made with a material that does not comply with common recycling regulations. 
   Fortier discloses an apparatus that holds a cylindrical bag in a vertical position, and can be moved using a vertical member having a handle and two wheels. The device in Fortier does not guarantee that the lawn bag is forced completely open, thereby forcing a user to place an object into the inside of the bag to spread out the bag for filling. Also, the wind will cause the hanging bag to move at the bottom making it more difficult to fill the bag. 
   Ayotte discloses a device having a rigid frame that holds a lawn bag in an upright open position. The device is stabilized by driving legs that attach the device into the ground. 
   Fortier, Ayotte, and Bach each disclose devices that are not suitable to be used with the common paper waste collection bags. These devices are intended for use with cylindrical plastic bags, and do not themselves comply with common recycling regulations. Further, the devices disclosed by Fortier and Ayotte are relatively expensive and require significant storage space. Thus, there remains a need for an apparatus to aid in the management of paper waste collection bags that is recyclable, requires a minimum amount of storage space, and is inexpensive. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The bag insert of the present invention is an apparatus for aiding in the management and usability of a waste collection bag during waste collection. The bag insert is particularly useful for use with yard waste collection bags. 
   The bag insert is placed inside the yard waste collection bag and then expanded. Once expanded, the bag insert maintains the bag in an upright and open position. Further, the bag insert forms a hollow rectangular tube such that yard waste can be placed inside the bag by dropping the yard waste through the open top of the bag insert. After yard waste collection in complete, the bag insert is capable of being folded along several axes for easy folding so that the size of the bag insert is reduced for storage. In addition to being folded, the bag insert comprises handles, which aid the maneuvering and carrying of the bag insert, whether inside a collection bag or not. 
   Alternatively, a waste collection bag may be placed inside the bag insert instead of placing the bag insert inside the waste collection bag such that the waste collection bag is supported within the bag insert. Once the bag insert is expanded, the waste collection bag is placed inside the bag insert, and the waste collection bag is maintained in an upright and substantially open position. After waste collection is complete, the bag insert is capable of being folded along several axes for easy folding so that the size of the bag insert is reduced for storage. In addition to being folded, the bag insert comprises handles, which aid the maneuvering and carrying of the bag insert, whether inside a collection bag or not. All of the other features of the bag insert are equally applicable. 
   In a first embodiment of the present invention, the bag insert has two vertical axes around which the bag insert is capable of being folded such that the overall width of the bag insert is reduced. 
   In a second embodiment, the bag insert has two vertical axes and a horizontal axis around which the bag insert is capable of being folded such that the overall width and length of the bag insert is reduced in two planes. 
   In a third embodiment, the bag insert has three vertical axes around which the bag insert is capable of being folded such that the overall width of the bag insert is further reduced. 
   In a fourth embodiment, the bag insert has three vertical axes and a horizontal axis around which the bag insert is capable of being folded such that the overall width and length of the bag insert is reduced in two planes further. 
   Multiple handle arrangements may be provided for easy carrying and movement of the bag insert. 
   The bag insert may also contain attachment members that allow the bag to be physically attached to the outer walls of the bag insert for further assurance that the bag will remain in an upright, open position. 
   The bag insert may also include a number of pegs located at the bottom of the bag insert that stabilize the bag insert when set upright. The pegs allow the bag insert to be anchored into the ground and/or distribute weight onto each of the pegs. 
   The bag insert may also include first, second, third, and fourth foldable bottom members that when folded form a bottom side of the bag insert. 
   Additional embodiments can be realized by using different materials, such as cardboard, recycled paper, or plastic, to manufacture the aforementioned embodiments. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention having been expanded inside a yard waste collection bag; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention being in the expanded position; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention being folded along two vertical axes; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates present invention being folded along two vertical axes and a horizontal axis; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the present invention being folded three times along three vertical axes; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the present invention being folded three times along three vertical axes and once along a horizontal axis; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the present invention with an additional attachment; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the process on how to insert the bag insert into a collection bag; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the embodiment of the bag insert used in the process illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the bag insert having pegs for stability; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a waste collection bag inserted within the bag insert according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a process on how to use the bag insert as the waste collection bag supporting apparatus of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIGS. 13A-13B  illustrate an embodiment of the bag insert having a folding bottom; and 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a process on how to use the bag insert having a folding bottom of  FIGS. 13A-13B . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the invention and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims. 
   This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/401,978, filed on Aug. 8, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A bag insert  100  is provided that contains handles  102  for carrying the bag insert  100 . Although the top corners of the handles  102  are illustrated as being essentially right angles, the top corner of the handles  102  may also be rounded. The bag insert  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  in its expanded position inside a yard waste collection bag  104 . When expanded, the bag insert  100  holds the bag  104  in the open position, wherein the bag  104  can be partially or fully open. Further, the length of the bag insert  100  is substantially equal to or greater than the length of the yard waste collection bag  104 , and is therefore capable of stabilizing the bag  104  in the upright open position during use. In order to remove the bag insert  100  from the bag  104 , the bag insert  100  will be simply lifted upward and directly out, easily sliding out of the bag  104  using the handles  102 . The handles  102  provide a convenient way for the bag insert  100  to be placed into and removed from the yard waste collection bag  104  and carried when not inserted into the bag  104 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the bag insert  100  of the present invention in its expanded position. Unlike  FIG. 1 , the bag insert  100  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is not shown as being inserted into the yard waste collection bag  104 . In this embodiment, the bag insert  100  has four sides  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116 . Sides  112  and  116  both have handles  102  and are both slightly longer in length than sides  110  and  114 . Additionally in this embodiment, the sides  110  and  114  have widths substantially equal to twice the widths of sides  112  and  116 . Sides  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116  provide the bag insert  100  with a hollow rectangular shape, meaning the bag insert  100  does not have a closed top or bottom. This hollow rectangular shape allows yard waste to be dropped into and through the bag insert  100  so that the waste falls into the yard waste collection bag  104 . The longer length of the sides  112  and  116  ensures that the handles  102  are unobstructed when the bag insert  100  is folded along two vertical axes  118 . One of the two vertical axes is found at the intersection of sides  114  and  116 . In another embodiment, this axis could be at the intersection of sides  112  and  114 . The second vertical axis  118  is found on side  114 . In the preferred embodiment, the vertical axis  118  on side  114  is found at a distance equal to half the width of side  114  from the edge of side  114 . 
   Further, the bag insert  100  is preferably capable of collapsing such that it is flat and substantially in one-dimension, thereby allowing the bag insert  100  to be easily maneuvered and stored. The bag insert  100  is preferably manufactured with recycled paper in order to be compliant with common waste management regulations. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention being folded along two vertical axes  118 . In order to reduce the size of the bag insert  100  before packaging for sale or storage, the bag insert  100  has the vertical axes  118  located on sides  114  and at the intersection of sides  114  and  116  so that the bag insert  100  can be folded around the vertical axes  118  when in its collapsed position. The handles  102  are positioned on the sides  112  and  116  such that they align with each other unobstructed after the bag insert  100  has been folded along the vertical axes  118 . The bag insert  100  can be folded in this manner since the bag insert  100  is manufactured out of a flexible material, such as recycled paper or cardboard. The bag insert&#39;s  100  ability to be folded along the vertical axes  118  allows the bag insert  100  to be easily maneuvered, stored, and inserted into a yard waste collection bag  104 . After the bag insert  100  is placed inside a bag  104 , the bag insert  100  is expanded to hold the bag  104  in an upright and open position, as illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  4 . In this embodiment, the bag insert  100  is capable of being folded along the vertical axes  118  and a horizontal axis  140 . In addition, the bag insert  100  has handles  102  on both top and bottom of the sides  112  and  116 . Further, the sides  110  and  114  have a length such that when folded, the handles  102  align with each other in an unobstructed manner. In another embodiment, the sides  110  and  114  may be the same length as the sides  112  and  116 . The bag insert  100  may also have additional handles oriented such that when folded, the handles  102  and additional handles align with each other. The bag insert&#39;s  100  ability to be folded along the vertical axes  118  and the horizontal axis  140  allows additional maneuverability of the bag insert  100  and a smaller size when folded for ease of storage. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  5 . In this embodiment, the bag insert  100  is capable of being folded along the vertical axes  118  and an additional vertical axis  150 . The additional vertical axis  150  is located on sides  112  and  116 . The sides  112  and  116  both have two handles  102 , thereby giving the bag insert  100  a total of four handles. Again, the sides  110  and  114  have lengths such that the handles  102  are unobstructed when the bag insert  100  is folded. In order to be folded along all of the vertical axes, the bag insert  100  is first collapsed. Then, the bag insert  100  is folded along the vertical axes  118 . The handles  102  on the sides  112  and  116  are aligned and unobstructed. The bag insert  100  is then folded for the second time along the additional vertical axis  150  between the handles  102  on the sides  112  and  116 . This embodiment would be convenient for large yard waste collection bags  104 , which would require the bag insert  100  to be much wider and possibly longer. Therefore, the second fold would reduce the bag insert  100  to a much more convenient size allowing for easy maneuvering and storage. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a combination of the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The bag insert  100  is capable of being folded along the vertical axes  118 , the horizontal axis  140 , and the additional vertical axis  150 . In this embodiment, the bag insert  100  has eight handles  102 . Two handles  102  are located at the top and the bottom of the sides  112  and  116 . The handles  102  are oriented such that when folded they will align with each other. Further, the sides  110  and  114  have lengths such that the handles  102  will be unobstructed when folded. In addition to the steps described in the discussion of  FIG. 5 , the bag insert  100  is folded along the horizontal axis  140  found at a distance substantially equal to half of the length of the sides  112  and  116  from the top or bottom of the sides  112  and  116 . Again, this embodiment would be convenient for large yard waste collection bags  104 , which would require the bag insert  100  to be much wider and possibly longer. Further, this embodiment would minimize the overall size of the bag insert  100  during storage or packaging for sale. 
   In  FIG. 7 , an additional, but not necessary, feature of the present invention is illustrated. The shape of the present invention is preferably rectangular by nature. In a situation where a yard collection bag  104  is not also rectangular shaped, the bag  104  may not remain fixed to the sides of the bag insert  100 . In this case, it would be desirable to have attachments  170  on any or all of sides  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116 , such as any type of hook or adhesive, in order to temporarily attach the bag  104  to the bag insert  100 . 
     FIG. 8  illustrates a process of how to insert the bag insert  100  into the waste collection bag  104 . First, the folded bag insert  100  is inserted into the waste collection bag  104  (step  800 ). Preferably, the waste collection bag  104  is empty at this point. Next, the bag insert  100  is slid to the bottom of the waste collection bag  104  (step  802 ) and expanded within the waste collection bag  104  in order to form a hollow tube through which waste can be placed into the waste collection bag  104  (steps  804  and  806 ). In one embodiment, step  804  includes grasping the handles  102  and moving the handles  102  opposite directions away from each other perpendicular to the sides  112  and  116 , thereby unfolding the bag insert  100 . Step  806  includes fully expanding the bag insert  100  by fully extending sides  110  and  114 . Other embodiments of the bag insert  100  may be expanded in steps  804  and  806  in a similar fashion. Although the process of  FIG. 8  illustrates the bag insert  100  according to one embodiment, this process is applicable to any embodiment of the bag insert  100 . 
     FIG. 9  more clearly illustrates the embodiment of the bag insert  100  illustrated in steps  804  and  806  of FIG.  8 . In this embodiment, the bag insert  100  has vertical axes  118  located on sides  110  and  114 , wherein the sides  110  and  114  may be folded inwardly to collapse the bag insert  100  such that sides  112  and  116  are moved towards one another and the handles  102  are aligned for ease of handling, storage, and/or transport. In a similar fashion, the bag insert  100  may be expanded by moving the handles  102  away from one another in a direction perpendicular to sides  112  and  116 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment of the bag insert  100 , wherein the bag insert  100  further includes pegs  180 . The pegs  180  can be used to anchor the bag insert  100  into the ground. The pegs  180  may be made of wood, metal, cardboard, or any other type of rigid material that can support the weight of the bag insert  100  and collection bag  104 . When not inserted into the ground, the pegs  180  provide improved stability by distributing the weight of the bag insert  100  and the collection bag  104 , if any, on each of the pegs  180 . Preferably, one of the pegs  180  is attached to each bottom corner of the bag insert  100 . However, the bag insert  100  may include any number of pegs  180  located at various locations along bottom of the sides  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116 . In addition, it is to be recognized that any embodiment of the bag insert  100  disclosed herein may optionally include the pegs  180 . 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a waste collection bag  190  disposed within the bag insert  100 . The bag insert  100  is expanded with the waste collection bag  190  disposed within the bag insert  100 . When expanded, the bag insert  100  holds the bag  190  in a substantially open position, wherein the bag  190  can be folded over the handles  102  and top edges of sides  110  and  114  in a partially or fully open position. Preferably, the length of the bag insert  100  is substantially equal to or greater than the length of the waste collection bag  190 , and is therefore capable of stabilizing the bag  190  in the upright open position during use. Further, by having a length substantially equal to or greater than the length of the waste collection bag  190 , the bag insert  100  allows the bag  190  to be filled with a maximum amount of waste. However, the bag insert  100  may have any length. In order to remove the bag  190  from the bag insert  100 , the bag  190  will be simply lifted upward and directly out, easily sliding out of the bag insert  100 . The handles  102  provide a convenient way for the bag insert  100  to be carried, expanded, or folded. 
   Although the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11  also uses the bag insert  100  described above, the bag insert  100  of  FIG. 111  is not inserted into the waste collection bag  190 . Instead, the waste collection bag  190  is inserted into the bag insert  100 . Therefore, even though the bag insert  100  of this embodiment is termed as an “insert”, the bag insert  100  is not actually inserted into the waste collection bag  190 . In addition, the description of the bag insert  100  given above is equally applicable to the embodiment of FIG.  11 . For example, as stated above, the bag insert  100  may optionally include the pegs  180  to improve stability by anchoring the bag insert  100  into the ground or distributing the weight of the bag insert  100  and waste collection bag  190  on each of the pegs  180 . 
     FIG. 12  illustrates a process of inserting the waste collection bag  190  into the bag insert  100  for the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  11 . First, the bag insert  100  is expanded (steps  1200 - 1202 ), as described above regarding steps  804  and  806  of FIG.  8 . Optionally, the bag insert  100  may include pegs  180  and be anchored into the ground via pegs  180  (step  1204 ). Next, the waste collection bag  190  is inserted into the bag insert  100  (step  1206 ), and an open end of the waste collection bag  190  is folded over the handles  102  and sides  110  and  114  ( 1208 ), thereby securing the waste collection bag  190  in an open state to the bag insert  100 . 
     FIGS. 13A-13B  illustrate another embodiment of the bag insert  100 , wherein the bag insert  100  further includes first, second, third, and fourth folding bottom members  200 - 206 , which can be folded to form a bottom side  208  of the bag insert  100 . When expanded, the bottom members  200 - 206  form extensions of sides  110 - 116 , respectively, wherein the sides  110 - 116  including the bottom members  200 - 206  may be folded in any of the various manners described above in order to reduce the size of the bag insert  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lengths t of sides  110 - 116  are equal, thereby providing additional stability when folding the bottom members  200 - 206 . However, sides  112  and  116  may have lengths greater than the length of sides  110  and  114 , as described above. 
     FIG. 13B  illustrates the folding of the bottom members  200 - 206  to form the bottom side  208  of the bag insert  100 . To form the bottom side  208 , the third bottom member  204  is first folded inwardly such that the third bottom member  204  is essentially perpendicular to the third side  114 . The second and fourth bottom members  202  and  206  are then folded inwardly such that second and fourth bottom members  202  and  206  extend over the third bottom member  204  and are essentially perpendicular to sides  112  and  116 , respectively. The first bottom member  200  is then folded to insert a tongue T of the first bottom member  200  through a gap G defined by bottom members  202 - 206 . By inserting the tongue T through the gap B, the bottom members  200 - 206  are secured together, thereby forming the bottom side  208  of the bag insert  100 . It should also be noted that the shape of the first bottom member  200  is such that the first bottom member  200  extends over second and fourth bottom members  202  and  206 , which extend over the third bottom member  204 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates a process of inserting the waste collection bag  190  into the bag insert of  FIGS. 13A and 13B . First, the bag insert  100  is turned upside-down such that the bottom members  200 - 206  are facing upward (steps  1400 - 1402 ). Next, the bag insert  100  is expanded (steps  1404 ), as described above regarding steps  804  and  806  of FIG.  8 . The bottom members  200 - 206  are then folded (steps  1406 - 1410 ), thereby forming the bottom side  208 . More specifically, the bottom side  208  is formed by first folding the third bottom member  204  (step  1406 ), then folding second and fourth bottom members  202  and  206  (step  1408 ), and then folding the first bottom member  200  and securing the tongue T of the first bottom member  200  under the third bottom member  204  (step  1410 ). The bag insert  100  is then placed in an upright position (step  1412 ), and the waste collection bag  190  is inserted into the bag insert  100  (step  1414 ), and an open end of the waste collection bag  190  is folded over the handles  102  and sides  110  and  114  ( 1416 ), thereby securing the waste collection bag  190  in an open state to the bag insert  100 . 
   Similarly to the embodiments of  FIGS. 10-12 , even though the bag insert  100  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-13B  and  14  is termed as an “insert”, the bag insert  100  is not actually inserted into the waste collection bag  190 . In addition, the description of the bag insert  100  given above is equally applicable to the embodiment of FIG.  13 . For example, as stated above, the bag insert  100  may optionally include the pegs  180  to improve stability by anchoring the bag insert  100  into the ground or distributing the weight of the bag insert  100  and waste collection bag  190  on each of the pegs  180 . 
   The bag insert  100  of the present invention offers substantial opportunity for variation without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the sides  110  and  114  of the bag insert  100  may have lengths substantially equal to the lengths of the sides  112  and  116 . In this case, the sides  110  and  114  would include additional handles  102  located such that they align with the other handles  102  when the bag insert  100  is folded. Further, the bag insert  100  of the present invention should not be limited to having four sides only. The bag insert  100  could have two or three sides and still not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Additionally, the bag insert  100  may be manufactured in various materials comprising cardboard, recycled paper, and plastic. As another example, the bag insert  100  of the present invention could have embodiments having varying lengths and widths in order to accommodate various yard waste collection bags  104 / 190 , each having a different width, length, or circumference. Further, while the embodiment of the bag insert  100  disclosed has a length being substantially equal to or greater than the length of the yard waste collection bag  104 / 190 , the length of the bag insert  100  could be less than the length of the yard waste collection bag  104 / 190  and should be considered within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Many more variations of the bag insert  100  of the present invention could be realized by the width of sides  110  and  114  being integer multiples of the width of sides  112  and  116 . In this case, the bag insert  100  could be folded around a number of vertical axes equal to the ratio of the width of sides  110  and  114  to the width of sides  112  and  116 . For example, sides  110  and  114  could have a width equal to 3 times the width of sides  112  and  116 . In this example, the bag insert  100  may still have only two handles  102 . In order to align the handles, the bag insert  100  of this example would be folded along one vertical axis at either the intersection of sides  114  and  116  or at the intersection of  112  and  114 . The bag insert  100  would again be folded along vertical axes found at twice the width of sides  112  and  116  and at three times the width of  112  and  116  from the edge of side  114 . Another example is that the bag insert  100  could be a perfect square. In this case, the bag insert  100  would have a vertical axis at the intersection of sides  114  and  116  around which the bag insert  100  could be folded in order to align the handles  102  and reduce the size for storage and packaging. 
   The embodiments disclosed thus far have all had sides  110  and  114  having a width equal to integer multiples of the width of sides  112  and  116 . However, the bag insert  100  could have sides of any width. Therefore, the vertical axes needed to align the handles  102  would vary in location, and should, indeed, be considered within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   The foregoing details should, in all respects, be considered as exemplary rather than as limiting. The present invention allows significant flexibility in terms of implementation and operation. Examples of such variation are discussed in some detail above; however, such examples should not be construed as limiting the range of variations falling within the scope of the present invention.