Abstract:
An improved waste disposal or storage bag is disclosed. The waste disposal bag is sealed on its peripheral edges. It is provided with an opening on one of its sides with an integral closure device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is directed to the field of waste disposal bags. In particular, the present invention is directed to a unique self-closing bag. The presently available waste disposal bags suffer from several disadvantages in use due to the fact that available bags are not self-closing. Among the problems with existing disposal bags is that one end of the bag is entirely open. Thus, the user must use a rubber band or other closure device to prevent material from falling out of the bag. If the bag is not full, the closure device must be removed and replaced each time material is placed in the bag until the bag is full so that waste material does not intermittently fall out of the bag.  
           [0002]    An object of the present invention is to provide an improved partially self-closing disposal bag. In particular, the present invention is directed to a bag that has a relatively small, self-closing opening so that the trash or other items placed in the bag do not fall out. Further, the bag of the present invention also comprises a self-closing mechanism.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention comprises a waste disposal bag comprising two opposing side portions, four sealed edges formed at the intersection of the two opposing side portions, an opening comprising a periphery placed in one of the two opposing side portions wherein the length of the opening is smaller than the length of the four sealed edges and a closure integrated with the periphery of the opening. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]    The present invention will now be described in detail by reference to the presently preferred embodiment as illustrated in the attached drawings. However, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, many obvious variations may be made to this embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.  
         [0014]    The present invention is directed to a disposal or storage bag  10  as generally illustrated in FIG. 1. The disposal bag  10  is comprised of two opposing side portions  16  and  17 . The opposing side portions  16  and  17  are sealed at each of the edges  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15 . An opening  18  is placed in one of the opposing side portions  16  or  17 . The length L1 of the opening  18  is smaller in length than the length L2 of the side  16 , L3 of edge  12  and L4 of edge  14  or  15 .  
         [0015]    The bag  10  will also comprise an integrated closure  20  around the Periphery P of the opening  18 . The integrated closure  20 , in the presently preferred embodiment, will be fabricated from a stretchable elastic material.  
         [0016]    A user of the present invention will place material into the bag  10  through opening  18 . Due to the elasticity of the integrated closure  20 , the opening  18  will partially close after placement of the material inside the bag  10 . Upon closure, the material will be less likely to fall out of the bag  10 .  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment  100  of the present invention. In the embodiment  100 , the relative dimensions have been changes from embodiment  10 . However, this embodiment  100  illustrates that the general principles of the present invention are not altered by changing the size or shape of the container.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment  200  of the present invention. In this embodiment, the self-closing opening  218  is located generally in the center of the bag  200 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 illustrates a second alternative embodiment  300  of the present invention. In this embodiment, the bag  300  is structured with a top surface  302  to fit the contours of a disposal container such as a trash can. This embodiment illustrates the principle that the opening can be placed in any location on the container.  
         [0020]    Although the description of the present invention has been in connection with a waste disposal bag, it is contemplated that the present invention is not limited to only waste disposal bags. Rather, the present invention can also be readily adapted by those of ordinary skill in the art for use as storage bag for various articles.  
         [0021]    It is also presently contemplated that those of ordinary skill in the art can readily adapt the present invention to a variety of sizes and shapes. In this way, the present invention could be used as a small disposal bag for use in an automobile for example. The present invention can also be adapted for use as a large disposal bag for lawn clippings or leaves.  
         [0022]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the embodiments just described merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. Many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.