Abstract:
An air gill bag of a debris collection and disposal system (or lawn care leaf and debris collection system) for receiving a leaves, yard debris and other types of suitable debris for containment for subsequent disposal. The air gill bag comprises an elongated bag body which includes an open top, a closed bottom, a plurality of air gill cut strips, and a plurality of strength strips. In the preferred embodiment, the air gill cut strips and the strength strips form columns of perforated and non-perforated surface material. Such a configuration allows the propelled air directed into the bag to be ventilated through the bag and debris directed into the bag to be trapped, with the bag still retaining much of its durability and tear resistance despite presence of extensive perforations. The air gill bag is typically attached to the vacuum bag outlet of a machine blower using a dual attachment strap.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of, incorporates by reference, and claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/481,844 filed May 27, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a debris collection and disposal system and, more particularly, to a disposable bag employing an air gill cut strip and strength strip system that allows propelled air to pass through while debris carried by the passing air is collected. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Conventional methods of removing fallen leaves and other yard debris from an area typically include manually picking up such debris and placing it in a container for disposal, using a machine to direct debris to a desired location using propelled air, or using a machine which employs a vacuum to suck up debris into a reusable bag which must be periodically emptied. As such, a problem which still exists is that existing debris collection systems typically require extensive and recurring manual labor, whether it be repeatedly picking up piles of debris or repeatedly emptying a reusable bag into a disposal container. Thus, there remains a need for a debris collection and disposal system implemented through an air gill bag that allows debris to be sucked up by a machine employing a vacuum directly into a disposable container. It would be helpful if such an air gill bag based debris collection and disposal system enabled the sufficient ventilation during the collection of debris to avoid the buildup of excessive pressure. It would be additionally desirable for such an air gill bag based debris collection and disposal system to be structured to retain sufficient strength to be moved even when full. 
     The Applicant&#39;s invention described herein provides for a debris collection and disposal system which incorporates an air gill bag defined as a semi-permeable container suitable to collect leaves and other yard debris. The primary component in Applicant&#39;s debris collection and disposal system is a disposable container employing air gill technology, embodied as air gill cut strips in grid arrangement and interspersed between a plurality of strength strips. When in operation, the air gill bag enables the simultaneous collection of debris in and the passage of air through a disposable container. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An air gill bag of a debris collection and disposal system (or lawn care leaf and debris collection system) for receiving leaves, yard debris and other types of suitable debris for containment for subsequent disposal. The air gill bag comprises an elongated bag body which includes an open top, a closed bottom, a plurality of air gill cut strips, and a plurality of strength strips. In the preferred embodiment, the air gill cut strips and the strength strips form alternating columns of perforated and non-perforated surface material. Such a configuration allows the propelled air directed into the bag to be ventilated through the bag and debris directed into the bag to be trapped, with the bag still retaining much of its durability and tear resistance despite presence of extensive perforations. The air gill bag is typically attached to the vacuum bag outlet of a machine blower using a dual attachment strap. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a debris collection and disposal system implemented through an air gill bag that allows debris to be sucked up by a machine employing a vacuum directly into a disposable container. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an air gill bag based debris collection and disposal system which additionally enables sufficient ventilation during the collection of debris to avoid the buildup of excessive pressure. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide an air gill bag based debris collection and disposal system which is structured to retain sufficient strength to be moved even when full. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a side perspective view of an air gill bag of a debris collection and disposal system built in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of an air gill bag and directional curtains of a debris collection and disposal system built in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front elevational view of an air gill bag of a debris collection and disposal system built in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a back elevational view of an air gill bag of a debris collection and disposal system built in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a side elevational view of an air gill bag of a debris collection and disposal system built in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an attachment strap of an air gill bag of a debris collection and disposal system built in accordance with the present invention 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular  FIG. 1A , an air gill bag  110  is defined by a plurality of columns of air gill cut strips  112 , a plurality of tie string ports  120 , an open top  122 , an enclosed bottom  124 , and a plurality of columns of strength strips  150 . In the first embodiment, the air gill bag is constructed of plastic and is typically positioned in a horizontal position on the ground or attached to the vacuum bag outlet of a machine blower. 
     Each air gill cut strip  112  is defined by a series of discrete gill cuts arranged in vertical columns. The air gill cut strips  112  form an alternatively perforated surface which encircles the circumference of the air gill bag  110  and provides ventilation sufficient to regulate airflow while air carrying debris is being forced into the air gill bag  110  in accordance with the operation of the debris collection and disposal system  100 . 
     Towards the open top  122  of the air gill bag  110  is an approximate 3 inch top exterior smooth area  114 . The top exterior smooth area  114  is defined by its non-perforated surface around the entire circumference of the air gill bag  110  as it lacks any gill cuts. The exterior smooth area does include the tie string ports  120  around the neck of the bag, whose function is described in more detail in  FIG. 1B . 
     Towards the closed bottom  124  of the air gill bag  110  is an approximate 5 inch bottom exterior smooth area  116 . As with the top exterior smooth area  114 , the bottom exterior smooth area  114  is defined by its non-perforated surface around the entire circumference of the air gill bag  110 . It is contemplated that gill cuts can be added to the bottom exterior smooth area  114  to increase the ventilation capability for use with a relatively large blower as long as the gill cuts do not extend all the way to the closed bottom  124 . 
     The strength strips  150  each define a column of non-perforated surface interspersed between the columns of air gill cut strips  112 . Being arranged in contiguous columns spanning from the top exterior smooth area  114  to the bottom exterior smooth area  114 , this smooth, non-perforated surface maintains the strength of the air gill bag  110 , enabling it to be transported, lifted, and tossed while containing debris so as to facilitate the disposal of used (and full) air gill bags  110 . and support to the air gill bag  110 . 
     When placed horizontally onto a ground surface or other suitable surface, the air gill bag  110  enables debris to be raked, shoveled therein. In such a configuration, debris can also be blown in with the air gill cut strips  112  ventilating the incoming air to prevent the buildup of excess pressure. In addition, if the air gill bag  110  is attached to the bag outlet of a vacuum (in place of the reusable bag), debris can be sucked therein, with the air gill cut strips  112  ventilating the incoming air to prevent the buildup of excess pressure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , a pair of directional curtains  160  can be used in combination with an air gill bag  110  to enhance the stability and efficacy of debris collection and disposal system  100 . The air gill bag  110 , as defined in  FIG. 1A  is attached to a pair of air curtains  160  through the tie string ports  120 , a pair of single rod vertical supports  180 , and a pair of double rod vertical supports  190 . 
     The pair of air curtains  160  are each removably attached at one end to one rod of the double rod vertical supports  190  and the other end of the single rod vertical support  180  of the air gill bag  110 . The other, unused rod of each double rod vertical supports  190  is removably attached through the tie string ports  120  ( FIG. 1A ) forming the removable attachment of the air gill bag  110  and the pair of air curtains  160  via the double rod vertical supports  190 . The pair of double rod supports  190  is attached to the proximal end bottom  164  of the pair of air curtains  160 . The pair of double rod supports  190  is slid in a sleeve  130  and is removably and adjustably secured within the sleeve  130 . 
     The single rod vertical supports  180  are slid into a sewn sleeve at the distal end bottom  162  of the pair of air curtains  160 . The single rod vertical supports  180  have a distal end  182  where a horizontal plate  184  and a spike  186  are disposed. The spike  186  is typically approximately 6 inches long but can be any suitable length. The horizontal plate  184  limits the distance the distal end  182  of the single rod vertical supports  180  can go into the ground surface. 
     The double rod vertical supports  190  have a distal end  192  where a horizontal plate  194  and a spike  196  are disposed. The spike  186  is typically approximately 6 inches long but can be any suitable length. The horizontal plate  194  limits the distance the distal end  192  of the double rod vertical supports  190  can go into the ground surface. Both the single rod vertical supports  180  and the double rod vertical supports  190  secure the pair of air curtains  160  and the air gill bag  110  in a secured and set position to form an opening for the debris to be directed into the air gill bag  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C, and  3 , an air gill bag  200  is defined by an elongated bag body  210  which includes an open top  211 , a closed bottom  212 , a plurality of columns of air gill cut strips  220 , and a plurality of columns of strength strips  230 . In the preferred embodiment, the bag body is constructed in the preferred embodiment two-ply wet-strength paper, with its open top  211  typically attached to the vacuum bag outlet of a machine blower using a dual attachment strap  300 . 
     Each air gill cut strip  220  is defined by a series of discrete gill cuts  221  arranged in a vertical column which extends around the entire exterior of the bag body  210 . In the preferred embodiment, each discrete air gill cut  221  is shaped in a zigzag pattern and is one to one and one half inches long. Due to the nature of the paper material which defines the bag body  210 , particularly its inability to stretch, the zigzag cuts  220  enable the air gill bag  200  to allow air forced therein to pass through while containing the debris forced therein with the air. 
     The strength strips  230 , each defined by a column of non-perforated surface that is interspersed between air gill cut strips  220 , are disposed at various points around the entire exterior of the bag body  210 , providing an unbroken surface area which enables the bag body  210  to retain much of its durability and tear resistance despite presence of a plurality of air gill cuts  221  in the bag body  210 . In one embodiment, the strength strips  230  are two inches wide. Also maintaining the strength of the bag body  210  is the offset alignment of successive air gill cut strips  220 . While this offset alignment results in every second air gill cut strip  220  being aligned horizontally, preventing successive air gill cut strips  220  from being aligned (and forming a row) and reducing the size of potential weak points in the bag body  210 . 
     It is contemplated that in another embodiment, the offset alignment results in every third, fourth or fifth air gill cut strip  220  are aligned vertically. 
     As in the first embodiment, towards the open top  211  of the bag body  210  is a top exterior smooth area  213  and towards the closed bottom  212  of the bag body  210  is a bottom exterior smooth area  214 . In one embodiment, the top exterior smooth area  213  and the bottom exterior smooth area  214  are six inches from the top and bottom of the air gill bag, respectively. As in the first embodiment, in the preferred embodiment these smooth areas again reduce potential weakness in the surface of the bag body  210 , maintaining the most strength and durability. In addition, to enable the open top  211  to attach to the vacuum bag outlet of a machine blower, the top exterior smooth area  213  provides a solid surface that can be folded in a crimp or a four fold manner to snugly wrap around the vacuum bag outlet for fastening. 
     It is contemplated that in the preferred, heavy paper version of the air gill bag  200 , the air gill bag  200  will be foldable into a small, substantially flat rectangle so that it can be stored. In effort to retain as much strength in the air gill bag  200 , strength strips  230  and the bottom exterior smooth area  214  are mostly located over areas of the bag having creases (shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C as dotted lines) to enable the folding of the air gill bag  200  as well as the corners of the air gill bag  200  It is understood that if perforations were included in such areas, the strength of the bag would be affected moreso than perforations on no folded or creased areas. 
     It is further contemplated that in order to facilitate mass production of the air gill bag  200 , it is desirable to avoid placing perforations in locations under which creased or folded areas of the air gill bag  200 , when folded, would be present. In this regard, a center strength strip  230  is included to avoid compromising the folded in edge of the side of the air gill bag  200 . 
     The attachment strap  300  is defined by a first attachment member  310  permanently attached upside down and in the opposite direction to a second attachment member  320  that is identical to the first attachment member  310  through a connective member  330 . Each attachment member includes an elongated body  340 , a fastening loop  350  for tightening the attachment strap  300 , a hook fastening surface  360  of a fabric hook and loop fastener and a loop fastening surface  370  of a fabric hook and loop fastener. It is understood that as the first attachment member  310  is upside down relative to the second attachment member  320 , its hook fastening surface and a loop fastening surface, while located in the exact orientation as that of the second attachment member  320 , are on the side of the first attachment member  310  not visible in  FIG. 3 . 
     In operation, the first attachment member  310  can wrap around the top exterior smooth area  213 , tighten it around the circumference of the vacuum bag outlet of a conventional leaf blower and vacuum (when configured as a vacuum) (not shown), and fasten it in place once tightened. Then, the second attachment member  320  can be wrapped in the opposite direction (relative to the bag body  210 ) around the body of conventional leaf blower and vacuum and then tightened and fastened. Through this dual fastening action, the open top  211  is compressed around and held over the vacuum outlet of a conventional leaf blower and vacuum through the exertion of circumferential stress (in a radial direction) being applied thereto from straps wrapped in opposing directions. 
     In one embodiment, the first attachment member  310  and the second attachment member  320  are constructed of different colored material to assist in distinguishing the two. 
     The lawn care leaf and debris collection system is designed to be utilized with or without an air blower and enhances one&#39;s ability to gathering leaves and other debris. The lawn care leaf and debris collection system includes a disposable bag, manufactured with a plurality of slit and perforated cuts defined as gills and may incorporate a pair of side fenced air curtains that are removably connected to the primary centered air gill bag by two single and two double rod anchor stakes that slide through sewn sleeves at each curtain end and tie string ports on each side of the air gill bag. When used with the air curtains, the lawn care leaf and debris collection system functions as a stationary air controlling system, grounded by a plurality of 6-inch spiked plates at the base of each anchor stake, allowing for stability and consistency as an air blower forces leaves and debris into the system. The lawn care leaf and debris collection system permits incoming air to pass through the gills leaving only the debris remains securely inside the air gill bag, thus alleviating the necessity of raking or bagging leaves. The lawn care leaf and debris collection system is a product which utilizes strength strips arranged alternatively with a plurality of strips gill cuts to enable the air gill bag to maintain structural integrity in the face of substantial debris volume, air pressure, or other force. The air gill bags are adapted to be used with any conventional leaf blower and vacuum having a vacuum outlet port to which it can be attached. 
     It is contemplated that the air gill bag can be manufactured from different materials, including paper, conventional plastic, and biodegradable plastic. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.