Patent Publication Number: US-7219705-B2

Title: Leaf bag system for use with receptacles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to refuse receptacle devices, and to a funnel device for holding leaf/refuse bags to a receptacle, box or can and facilitating the raking or sweeping of leaves and other refuse into a bag within the can. 
   2. Background of the Art 
   Leaf bags or trash bags are well known and commonly used for the collection and disposal of leaves and other types of refuse from lawns and other generally flat areas from which leaves are raked or swept and placed in bags. To reduce their cost and bulk, such leaf or trash bags are typically made of thin plastic material with sufficient tensile strength to hold low density materials such as leaves or paper. These bags will not stand alone when empty and must be supported in some manner for filling. Although bags can be held open by hand, this approach is very inefficient and can be very frustrating when a single person is attempting to fill bags. It is even more desirable to be able to rake or sweep leaves and other refuse into a bag with the bag lying flat, and it is almost impossible for a single person to hold a bag open by hand while raking or sweeping refuse into it. 
   Various approaches have been attempted in an effort to address the problem of supporting a bag in an open position for filling, with varying degrees of success. Placing a bag inside an existing trash can or box will provide some support for the bag and allow it to be filled from the top. This approach does not readily accommodate raking or sweeping refuse into the bag. The weight of leaves in the bag will often pull the bag from its support around the lip of the can, such as a twenty-gallon or thirty-gallon garbage can. 
   A number of devices have been devised for the specific purpose of holding or supporting a leaf or trash bag while it is filled, but all such devices known in the prior art have disadvantages or drawbacks. One such device comprises a rigid structure with a pair of centrally pivoting legs, designed to fold flat for storage and to support a bag suspended between the legs when open. The only means of adjustment for bags of differing sizes is the degree to which the legs are pivoted open, which can result in excessive force against the top of the bag and tearing of the bag. This device is useable only in an upright position, and does not securely hold the bag in place to prevent slipping. In addition, a filled bag can be difficult to remove from between the legs of the device without tearing the bag. 
   Another device is formed as a flexible, shape retentive plastic sheet that can be rolled into a cylinder and placed inside a bag. When the rolled sheet is released it partially unrolls until constrained by the bag, so that the force of the sheet against the inside of the bag holds it in an open, generally cylindrical form. When the bag is filled, the sheet is slipped from the open end of the bag. Although a bag opened with this device can be placed on its side for filling, only a small area is in contact with the ground because of the cylindrical form, and raking or sweeping material into the bag is difficult. Use of this device can be cumbersome for a single person because it is necessary to hold the rolled sheet to prevent it from unrolling while, at the same time, holding the bag open and inserting the rolled sheet into the bag. This device will accommodate different sized bags, although the force holding and supporting the bag will vary and the bag may slip along the sheet and become disengaged during handling and filling. Examples of such flexible supports are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,033 (Gibson); U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,679 (Lonczak); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,011 (Rylander). 
   Yet another device includes a body with a funnel-like opening with a large throat to which a bag can be attached. Various of these embodiments are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,860 (Singleton); U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,779 (Green); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,518 (Holthaus). In one of these embodiments, the body of the structure is supported by legs so that the bag can be hung from the body, secured by clips, between the legs or with the legs in the interior of the bag. The bag is then filled from the top. In some variations the bag and support structure may be placed on the ground, either with or without the legs, so that leaves, etc. can be raked or swept into the bag, but the design of the body does not facilitate use in a horizontal orientation and it can be difficult to push leaves, etc. through the opening to fully fill the bag. These structures are of rigid construction with no provision for adjustment to accommodate bags of different sizes. In addition, they are relatively large and bulky, and require a significant amount of storage space. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,622 (Gordon) describes a bag support system with a locking mechanism to keep the bag secured to the top of the support. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,872 (Nugent) shows a semi-rigid metal rod system for supporting lawn bags in which metal rods may be attached and detached from each other to allow for accommodation and securing of bags, with overlapping rods securing bags within the structure. The ends of certain rods may be inserted into the ground to provide stability to the system. 
   In spite of the numerous designs and structure for such bagging systems, no one bagging system is believed to provide the optimal capability for leaf raking and improvements are desirable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A bag securing system for use with a standard garbage-type can (e.g., 20 gallon or 30 gallon can) and a standard plastic garbage or leaf bag (e.g., 20 gallon, 30 gallon or 50 gallon bag) can provide a secure system for enabling the raking, shoveling or sweeping of material into the bag while the can lies essentially horizontally along the ground. A flexible funnel-forming sheet (preferably with a rigid leading edge) is inserted into a can, pressing a lining bag against the inner surface of the can, and optionally engaging the can with a gripping system that engages the exterior of the can. A separate component of the system comprises an element engaged with the can (either attached to or separate from the funnel-forming sheet) that can secure the can to soft ground, as with spikes. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of a garbage can, bag, funnel-forming system with locking element, and a separate can-to-ground securing element. 
       FIG. 2  shows a neck that is part of a funnel-forming system with can adjusting design incorporated therein. 
       FIG. 3  shows an unfolded funnel-forming system for association with the neck of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A bag securing system is described for use with a standard or non-standard garbage-type can (e.g., 20 gallon or 30 gallon can) and a standard or non-standard plastic garbage or leaf bag (e.g., 20 gallon, 30 gallon or 50 gallon bag). The system can provide a secure support and enclosure for enabling the raking, shoveling or sweeping of material into the bag. The bag and system may be used while the can lies essentially horizontally along the ground. A flexible funnel-forming sheet (preferably with a rigid leading edge) is inserted into a can with a bag already lining the interior of the can or at least engaged over the entire opening of the can. The funnel-forming sheet presses a lining bag against the inner surface of the can and the sheet optionally engages the can with a gripping system that secures the funnel-forming sheet against the exterior of the can. A separate component of the system may comprise an element engaged with the can (either attached to or separate from the funnel-forming sheet) that can secure the can to soft ground, as with spikes. 
   The receptacle, box or can itself may be any trash can or other receptacle to which the funneling system is designed for fit and/or adjustable, and may be formed of any structural materials such as metal, composite, plastic or combinations of these materials. The bag may be any commercial bag or specially manufactured bag which has an opening sufficient to at least fill (even with stretching of the material) the can opening or better yet, extend across and overlap the can opening. The bag is inserted into the can (and preferably over the entire lip of the can) and the funnel-forming sheet is inserted into the can and shaped into a funnel of the appropriate size and dimensions, which is why the funnel-forming sheet is flexible and has other design features that allow for shaping and contouring of the funnel. The flexible funnel-forming sheet may be formed of polymeric material, elastomeric material, rubber, fabric, and the like, and as elsewhere described, may have other functional elements (slides, glides, hooks, eyes, and the like) attached thereto, which other functional elements may be made of other materials. 
   A brief view of the Figures may assist in a better appreciation of the technology described herein. 
     FIG. 1  shows a side view of a material retaining system  2  comprising a garbage can  4 , bag  6 , funnel-forming system  8  with locking element  22 , and a separate can-to-ground securing element  12 . The bag  6  is shown with its opening end  14  extending over the lip  16  of the can  4 . The  FIG. 1  exaggerates certain of the elements and dimensions for ease of understanding. For example, the size and construction of the locking element  22  (comprising the pin element  22 , elastic cord  21  may attach to a standard can handle or other protruding element  23 . The funnel body  20  or neck element  25  presses the bag  6  against the interior of the can  4 . The locking mechanism  10  does not need to have the swiveling or snapping component  22  that is shown. For example, the locking element  22  may be only a single clip, inserted post, clamp or the like (not shown) attached to the funnel body  20 , as with a standard money-clip 
   The system may further comprise the funnel-forming top section  26  with a rigidizing lip portion  24  that can assist in flattening the funnel against a surface. The rigidizing element  24  may be semi-rigid (as with a stiff elastomer or thin foldable metal (tin, aluminum, etc.) or rigid. There are holes  34  on the funnel-forming top section  26  that assist in engaging the top section  26  to turf (e.g., using pegs through the holes  34 ). An improved method of securing the entire system  2  plus the can  4  to turf or other surface that may be engaged is with the ground or surface engaging component  12 . This surface engaging component  12  is shown somewhat askew and on the opposite side where it would ordinarily be deployed (e.g., on the same side of the can  4  as the flat rigidizing strip  24 ) for convenience in describing all of the elements. The surface engaging component has a strap  28  securing the component  12  to the can  4  bottom  36 . There is a pivoting set of flat or otherwise shaped panels  38  which contain or to which may be attached pegs  32  (which may also be bolts or screws or other mechanical attachment devices). The surface engaging system may be secured to the work surface, and the entire system  2  placed against the ground while the posts  32  remain secured to the ground. When force is applied to the can  4  by way of contact or pressure developed during raking or the like, the component  12  will prevent shifting of can and allow greater raking or shoveling force to be applied during work. 
     FIG. 2  shows a neck  50  that is part of a funnel-forming system with can adjusting design incorporated therein. The neck  50  is shown with a gripping handle  52 , holes for assisting in engagement with corresponding holes  54   a  of a funnel forming system  58  ( FIG. 3 ). Holes  56  are shown for assisting attachment of the locking mechanism (e.g., pins) described in  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 3  shows an unfolded funnel-forming system  58  for association with the neck of  FIG. 2 . The rigidizing strip  24  is shown, as are the countering holes  54   a  which align with holes  54  from  FIG. 2  to assist in securing the neck to the funnel-forming element with pins, string, clips or other mechanical fasteners engaging both holes  54   54   a . An adjusting or adjustable connecting element  60  allows the neck to better fit and adjust to the neck and can, with hole  66  engaging one stabilizing fixture (pin, handle, protrusion, post, etc.) while the swivel connection  64  allows adjustment of size and shape of the components being brought together. Similarly, an attaching pin or element (not shown) may pass through slide hole  62  to assist in the shape and size adjustment of components being fitted together. Open slots  68  are shown to assist in fitting the funnel-forming system to the neck of the can. 
   An alternative structure, again using the same figures, with certain additional, alternative elements not specifically shown, would be as a  FIG. 1  side view of a material retaining system  2  comprising a garbage can  4 , bag  6 , funnel-forming system  8  with locking element  22  (here shown as a pin, but which might be a clamp, clip, snap, or other mechanical locking or securing device), and a separate can-to-ground securing element  12 . The bag  6  is shown with its opening end  14  extending over the lip  16  of the can  4 . The  FIG. 1  exaggerates certain of the elements and dimensions for ease of understanding. The locking mechanism  22  does not need to have the swiveling or snapping components. For example, the locking element may be only a single clip (not shown) attached to the funnel body  20 , as with a standard money-clip type format, made of a single living hinge, with the ends of the clip held against each other by the tension in the living hinge (not shown). 
   The funnel forming system  8  may be constructed of a single element or a combination of elements held together by mechanical connectors (fusion, adhesion, pins, bolts, clips, ties, staples, snaps, punches or combinations of these. The sides  26  of the system remain flexible so that they can fold over and adjust to the various size of the openings in whatever cans  4  are used to support the bag  6 . It is desirable that a reinforcing or rigidizing element  24  is on the front of the system  8 , to assure a flat or straight edge to lie on the ground to assist in preventing swept or raked material from passing under the leading edge of the system where the rigidizing element  24  is placed. 
   A ground securing element  12  is shown that may comprising any can engaging element  28  that secures to the can  4 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the element  28  is shown as a strap (e.g., elastic strap)  28  having a clipping or tension-adjusting connector  30  that provides tension of the strap  28  against the can  4 . Two prongs or stakes  32  are provided on the straps  28  which may be positioned to be on the same side of the can  4  as the can  4  as the rigidizing element  24  so that when the can  4  is lying against the ground, the prongs  32  can be pressed into the ground to resist any pressure from raking or sweeping causing the can  4  to slide along the ground. The strap  28  and prongs  32  are shown at an end of the can  4  distal from the opening and the lip  16  of the can  4 , but the strap  28  and prongs  32  or other ground securing element may be at any designed or selected position along the height of the can  4  and may be provided with other structural designs. For example, the prongs may be directly attached to the system  8 , as by having the prongs directly attached to a face of the system  8  that lies against the ground. The prongs may be on their own rigid support, or the prongs may be stakes (not shown) that are inserted through holes  34  in the system  8 . 
   The bag  6 , when filled, may be removed from the can  4  in various ways, the simplest way being described below. When the bag  6  is filled, the can  4  is lifted or swiveled from the ground if attached through system  12  from the ground (removing the prongs  32  from the ground and not removing the prongs, respectively) so that it stands vertically on its base  36 . The locking mechanism  22  is disengaged or its tension reduced (e.g., by manually lifting an exterior element gripping the ends of the bag  6  at the opening  14  of the can  4 . The system  8  is then lifted from the can  4 , often by sliding the system  8  from the can  4 . This leaves the bag  6  with its ends extended over the lip  16  of the can  4 . The bag ends may be lifted from the lip  16  and tied. Because the bag  6  and can  4  had been lying horizontally, the pressure of the fill within the bag  6 , such as the leaves against the interior of the can  4  should not have been great enough to cause dramatic difficulty in removing the bag  6 . The prongs may be supported in a way so that they are not exposed at all times in a way that could injure someone carrying the system. For example, the prongs could fold, could be supported on a folding support, or could be extendable and snap into place. In one embodiment, two panels (e.g. about 30 cm×10 cm) could be connected by a hinge, and the prongs could be carried on a surface of the relatively exterior of the panels when it swings outward on the hinge. 
     FIG. 3  shows a funnel-forming system  58  with can adjusting design incorporated therein. The system  58  is shown constructed of a neck portion  50  ( FIG. 2 ) that fits into a can (not shown). The lower edge  51  of the neck portion  50  is shown as slightly larger than other portions (e.g., higher, more forward portion) so that the lower edge  51  can provide some tension against a bag inside of a can. The size of the circumference of the lower edge  51  may be adjustable, even to dimensions smaller that those of the more forward portions of the neck portion  50 , as by clips, pins or other connectors represented in  FIG. 2  by holes  54  and a clip (not shown) passing through one of the holes  54 . The circumference of the lower edge  51  can be seen to be adjustable by repositioning the clip in a different hole  54  to cause the circumference of the lower edge  51  to change. The neck portion  50  has a funnel portion  58  attached or associated therewith. The funnel portion  58  may be an integral part (cut from the same sheet material) as the neck portion  50  or may be secured to the neck portion  50  by chemical or mechanical means, such as adhesive, fusion, clips, staples, pins, bolts, ties, snaps, and the like. The funnel portion  58  has flexible ends  26  than may be flexed or folded or shaped to assist in adjusting to any available can size. Further adjustment to different can sizes or ground contour can be effected by an adjustment system (e.g.,  60 ) that allows the flexible ends  26  to be positioned and secured to the neck portion  50  easily. One simple mechanism is a panel  60  having an elongated hole  62  therein along which hole  62  a pin, screw or other extending element (not shown) may slide (and preferably be adjustable and capable of being tightened to grip the panel  60 . The extending element is attached to or attachable to the flexible ends  26 . The panels  60  are secured to the neck portion  50  by connectors  64  that may allow the panels to swivel to further assist in the ease of the funnel portion  58  adjusting to the size of the available can. 
   The flexible ends  26  may have holes  54   a  therein, with a pull string  70  ( FIG. 1 ) passing through the holes  54   a  and engaged (e.g., as by a knot, not shown) on the reverse side of the neck  50  and possibly through a handle  72  on the neck of extending through the neck from the can  4 . The string  70  may pass through a support loop of handle  72  on which loop  72  the pull string  70  may be pulled and/or attached to secure the flexible ends  26  in a desirable position. 
   The funnel-providing system  58  may be further supported, guided or positioned against a can by used of a can engaging or securing system(s)  60 . The can engaging system  60  may be a simple flexible, semi-rigid or rigid element that it attached to the neck portion  50  or funnel portion  58  and slides over the lip of the can (not shown) to provide tension against the outside of the can or against the lip of the can to support the funnel-providing system  58  and/or grip ends of a contained bag to secure the bag against slipping. Securing elements may be provided (not shown), and these may be adjustable to control tension or the length of overlap of the can engaging system  21  and  22  ( FIG. 1 ) with a can  4 . 
   The system may be alternatively described as follows. It is a system that provides a shaped access path to a bag within a receptacle comprising a funnel-providing system comprising a neck portion and a funnel portion. The funnel-providing portion comprises a flexible material that forms a leading edge of the funnel portion that curves back onto itself to form a funnel having a wide leading edge and a narrower base of the funnel portion. The narrower base of the funnel portion is connected to the neck portion. A gripping element extends over at least a length of the neck portion, the gripping portion capable of gripping an element, such as a garbage bag or plastic bag placed between the gripping element and the neck portion. The leading edge of the funnel-providing portion may be rigidized to form a straight edge that is not significantly curved when the funnel is shaped, so that a flat leading edge lies along ground when the system is lying on the ground. The neck portion is adjustable to provide different stable circumferences (not necessarily rigid circumferences, but at least approximate circumferences that flex, which can provide tension against bags on interior surfaces of the cans) of the neck portion for insertion into receptacles of varying sizes. The neck portion is thus adjustable to provide different levels of tension against inside surfaces of the receptacle. The system may comprise at least one extension that can be inserted into ground to secure the system against movement. The at least one extension (preferably at least two extensions or stakes or pegs) may comprise stakes attached to the system or stakes that can be affixed to the receptacle separately from the system. The system may be secured to a receptacle comprising a can with at least a 1 cubic meter volume, the can having a garbage bag, such as polymeric, paper or composite bag within the volume of the can and ends of the bag extending over edges of the opening of the can, the gripping elements gripping the ends of the bag to prevent slippage of the bag within the can. When the system is lying horizontally along ground, the at least one extension penetrates the ground to restrict movement of the can when force is applied to the system. 
   The system has been most focused on raking or sweeping into the funnel system. Attempting to power blow material would tend to require a larger funnel. This can be effected either by making the initial funnels system wider and longer, or by inserting a separate second funnel element into the first funnel system. 
   Although specific materials, dimensions, sizes and components have been described herein, these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of practice of the technology described herein, but rather constitute specific examples supporting generic concepts. Even where specific structural elements or materials are described, it is understood by those skilled in the art that other equivalents and interchangeable materials and shapes may be used.