Patent Publication Number: US-2022234819-A1

Title: Lawn Bag and Accessory

Description:
This application is a divisional patent application and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/824,974 filed May 20, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to refuse receptacles and specifically to a lawn bag and an accessory for a lawn bag. 
     2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Landscape maintenance may involve, among other things, mowing grass, pulling weeds, trimming bushes, and raking leaves. These activities, though enjoyable, can be time consuming and somewhat strenuous. One of the last tasks needing to take place after caring for an outdoor area is clean up. Grass clippings, weeds, and leaves, for example may need to be collected and moved off site. Typically, plastic or paper lawn bags are used for this. Debris is swept into piles and, using either one&#39;s hands, a rake, or a shovel, moved into the bag. However, this simple activity can become frustrating because the bag tends to move upon insertion of the debris and because the bag opening does not always remain open. 
     Numerous attempts have been made in an effort to address these issues. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,653, Ringer teaches a bag attachment with an outer hoop and lifting handle. U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,415, D&#39;Antonio discloses a bag attachment with hoop and spreader bar. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 20020100844, Green discloses a bag having a front “ramp” and stake attachment members. U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,948, Groth discloses a bag having a front “ramp” with sides and lifting handle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,028, Blackaby and U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,339, Williams each disclose a hoop attachment for a bag. U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,589, Belous teaches an upright container assembly comprising a funnel top portion with sides. U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,742, Weathers teaches a popcorn scoop-like funnel attachment for a bag. U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,264, Valesquez discloses an upright frame for a bag. U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,990, Graves discloses a rigid ramp assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 9,409,666, Staten discloses a bag with extension portions secured by pins or stakes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,103, Hayes discloses a bag with a hoop and outside tie straps. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 20050011997, Kalal teaches a bag and hoop with a forward flap. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 20080044111, Faraone teaches a bag with forward flap and upper handle. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 20110147545, Faraone teaches a handle attachment wherein the bag is coupled through slits in a spreader bar. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 20150360861, Vincent comprises a removeably coupled side closure which permits the bag to be spread open. 
     Although there are several prior art bags and bag attachments that purport to address the problem of maintaining the shape of a bag and keeping the bag from moving while inserting lawn debris, the solutions are generally expensive, cumbersome, and overly complicated. What is needed is a lawn bag that is inexpensive, easy to set up, and simple to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A lawn bag for use with lawn debris is provided. The lawn bag generally comprises a bag bottom, bag sides, and left-side and right-side flaps. The bag sides comprise a bag front side, bag rear side, a bag left side, and a bag right side. The bag bottom is connected to the bag sides. The bag bottom and bag sides define a receptacle comprising a top opening. The left-side flap is foldingly connected to one of the bag sides. In preferred embodiments, the left-side flap is connected to either the bag left side or the bag front side. The right-side flap is also foldingly connected to one of the bag sides. Each of the right-side and left-side flaps of the preferred embodiment are bendable. In preferred embodiments, the right-side flap is connected to either the right side or the bag front side. As they are both foldingly connected, the left-side and right-side flaps are each moveable from stowed positions to extended positions. In certain embodiments, the flaps in the stowed position are positioned flat against the respective sides to which they are attached. For example, the right-side flap stowed position may be such that the right-side flap is positioned against either the bag right side or the bag front side. Similarly, the left-side flap stowed position may be such that the left-side flap is positioned against either the bag left side or the bag front side. In other embodiments, the left-side and right-side flaps may be foldingly connected to the bag left side and right side, respectively, but rest primarily against the bag front side when in the stowed position. In other embodiments, the left-side and right-side flaps are foldingly coupled to a corner of the bag, such as, for example, the corner at which the bag left side and bag front side meet. 
     The left-side flap of the preferred embodiment is positioned proximate to upper portions of the bag front side and bag left side such that, when in the extended position, the left-side flap extends to the left of the bag left side and is generally coplanar with the bag front side. Similarly, the right-side flap is positioned proximate to the bag front side and bag right side such that, when in the extended position, the right-side flap extends to the right of the bag right side and is generally coplanar with the bag front side. 
     In other embodiments, the bag comprises an integrated flap. The left-side flap and the right-side flap of these embodiments are foldingly connected to a central flap. 
     The integrated flap is structured and arranged such that, when in a downward stowed position, the integrated flap is positioned immediately adjacent to outside portions of the bag left, bag right, and bag front sides such that the left-side flap is coplanar with the bag left side, the right-side flap is co-planar with the bag right side, and the central flap is coplanar with the bag front side. 
     When the left-side flap and right-side flap are extended forward, the left-side flap and right-side flap are co-planar with the bag front side. Alternatively, the central flap, together with left-side and right-side flaps are adapted to be moved upward. In such position, the integrated flap extends upward from a top front edge of the lawn bag. 
     In use, the lawn bag is positioned such that the bag front side, the left-side flap and right-side flap are generally co-planar with a working surface such as the ground. In such position, a user may position himself/herself with each foot on the respective left-side flap and right-side flap. In this position, the user, using his/her hands, a rake, or other garden implement, can then pull garden debris such as leaves, grass clippings, weeds, bush clippings, and the like, through the opening into the leaf bag. This activity can be performed with the central flap positioned against the bag front side or with the central flap extended forward. 
     In preferred embodiments, the lawn bag is formed from heavy duty two-ply biodegradable paper. In such embodiments, each side comprises a thickness of approximately 0.198 mms. However, the lawn bag need not be formed from paper. Rather, the lawn bag can be formed from other suitable materials such as Polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and the like and may be formed from oxo-degradable or UV degradable materials and/or biobased, biodegradable and compostable materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA). 
     In other embodiments, the lawn bag may comprise a drawstring. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a refuse bag accessory adapted to be removeably coupled to a conventional refuse bag is presented. The refuse bag accessory comprises an elongated bar, clips, and footholds. In the preferred embodiments, the refuse bag accessory is adapted to be coupled to a top portion of a front refuse bag side of a conventional refuse bag. The refuse bag accessory of the preferred embodiment is composed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and has a generally flat configuration such that when positioned on the refuse bag as described herein, it is generally coplanar with the front refuse bag side. However, other suitable materials known in the art may be used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top, rear, and left side view of the lawn bag, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top, rear, and left side view of the lawn bag of  FIG. 1 , with the left-side and right-side flaps extended forward and the central flap portion in the downward, stowed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a top, rear, and left side view of the lawn bag of  FIG. 1 , with the left-side, right-side, and central flaps in the upward position. 
         FIG. 4  is a top, rear, and left side view of the lawn bag accessory attached to a bag, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a top, rear, and left side view of the lawn bag of  FIG. 4 , with a user with a rake shown in phantom, the user straddling the bag with the user&#39;s feet position on the footholds. 
         FIG. 6  is a right-side elevation view of the lawn bag with the right-side flap in the stowed position, in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a front-side elevation view of the lawn bag of  FIG. 6 , with the right-side and left-side flaps in the extended positions. 
         FIG. 8  is a front-side elevation view of the lawn bag with the right-side and left-side flaps in the stowed position, in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a front-side elevation view of the lawn bag of  FIG. 8 , with the right-side and left-side flaps in the extended positions. 
         FIG. 10  is a top, rear, and left side view of the lawn bag of  FIG. 7 , with a user with a rake shown in phantom, the user straddling the bag with the user&#39;s feet positioned on the respective right-side and left-side flaps. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , there is shown the lawn bag  12  in accordance with preferred embodiments. As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one. The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another” is defined as a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” are open ended (e.g., comprising). The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
     Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “an embodiment,” or similar term means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on one or more embodiments without limitation. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-10 , the lawn bag  12  of the preferred embodiment generally comprises a bag bottom  24 , bag sides  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and left-side and right-side flaps  32 ,  34 . The bag sides comprise a bag front side  14 , bag rear side  16 , a bag left side  18 , and a bag right side  20 . The bag bottom  24  is connected to the bag sides  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . The bag bottom  24  and bag sides  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  define a receptacle comprising a top opening  22 . The left-side flap  32  is foldingly connected to one of the bag sides  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . In preferred embodiments, the left-side flap  32  is connected to either the bag left side  18  or the bag front side  14 . The right-side flap  34  is also foldingly connected to one of the bag sides  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . Each of the right-side and left-side flaps  34 ,  32  of the preferred embodiment is bendable. In preferred embodiments, the right-side flap  34  is connected to either the right side  20  or the bag front side  14 . As they are both foldingly connected, the left-side and right-side flaps  32 ,  34  are each moveable from stowed positions to extended positions. In certain embodiments, the left-side and right-side flaps  32 ,  34  are positioned flat against the respective sides  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to which they are attached. For example, the right-side flap  34  stowed position may be such that the right-side flap  34  is positioned against either the bag right side  20  or the bag front side  14 . Similarly, the left-side flap  32  stowed position may be such that the left-side flap  32  is positioned against either the bag left side  18  or the bag front side  14 . Although in certain embodiments the right-side and left-side flap  32 ,  34  stowed position is such that the respective right-side and left-side flaps  32 ,  34  are positioned flat against the side  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to which the respective right-side and left-side flaps  32 ,  34  are attached, the right-side and left-side flap  32 ,  34  stowed position need not be such. In other embodiments, for example, the left-side flap  32  may be foldingly connected to the bag left side  18  but rest primarily against the bag front side  14  when in the stowed position. In other embodiments, the left-side and right-side flaps  32 ,  34  are foldingly coupled to a corner of the lawn bag  12 , such as, for example, the corner at which the bag left side  18  and bag front side  14  meet. 
     The left-side flap  32  of the preferred embodiment is positioned proximate to upper portions of the bag front side  14  and bag left side  18  such that, when in the extended position, the left-side flap  32  extends to the left of the bag left side  18  and is generally coplanar with the bag front side  14 . Similarly, the right-side flap  34  is positioned proximate to the bag front side  14  and bag right side  20  such that, when in the extended position, the right-side flap  34  extends to the right of the bag right side  20  and is generally coplanar with the bag front side  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , in other embodiments, the lawn bag comprises the bag front  14 , bag rear  16 , bag left side  18 , bag right side  20 , bag bottom  24 , and an integrated flap  36 . The bag front  14 , bag rear  16 , bag left side  18 , bag right side  20 , and bag bottom  24  define a receptacle comprising a top opening  22 . The integrated flap  36  of such embodiments comprises the left-side flap  32 , right-side flap  34  and a central flap  26 . The central flap in these embodiments is foldingly connected to the bag front side. The left-side and right-side flaps  32 ,  34  of these embodiments are foldingly connected to the central flap. The central flap  26 , left-side flap  32  and right-side flap  34  are each moveable from stowed positions to respective extended positions. As with other embodiments, the left-side flap  32 , when in the extended position, extends to the left of the bag left side  18  and is generally coplanar with the bag front side  14 . The right-side flap  34 , when in the extended position, extends to the right of the bag right side  20  and is generally coplanar with the bag front side  14 . The central flap  26 , when in the extended position, extends from, and is generally coplanar with, the bag front side  14 . 
     The integrated flap  36  is structured and arranged such that when in a downward stowed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the integrated flap  36  is positioned immediately adjacent to outside portions of the bag left  18 , bag right  20 , and bag front  14  sides such that the left-side flap  32  is coplanar with the bag left side  18 , the right-side flap  34  is co-planar with the bag right side  20 , and the central flap  26  is coplanar with the bag front side  14 . 
     When the left-side flap  32  and right-side flap  34  are extended forward, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 , the left-side flap  32  and right-side flap  34  are co-planar with the bag front side  14 . In this position, the lawn bag  12  can be used as will be described in more detail below. Alternatively, the central flap  26 , together with left-side and right-side flaps  32 ,  34 , are adapted to be moved upward from the position shown in  FIG. 2  to the position depicted in  FIG. 3 . In such position, the integrated flap  36  extends upward from a top front edge  28  of the lawn bag  12 . 
     In use, the lawn bag  12  is positioned such that the bag front side  14 , the left-side flap  32  and right-side flap  34  are generally co-planar with a working surface such as the ground. In such position, a user  4  may position himself/herself with each foot  6 ,  6  on the respective left-side flap  32  and right-side flap  34 . In this position, the user  4 , using a rake  8  or other garden implement, can then pull garden debris  36  such as leaves, grass clippings, weeds, bush clippings, and the like, through the opening  22  into the leaf bag  12 . This activity can be performed with the central flap  26  positioned against the bag front side  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , or with the central flap  26  extended forward, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 . 
     In preferred embodiments, the lawn bag  12  is formed from heavy duty two-ply biodegradable paper. In such embodiments, each side  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and bottom  24  comprise a thickness of approximately 0.198 mms. However, the lawn bag  12  need not be formed from paper. Rather, the lawn bag  12  can be formed from other suitable materials such as Polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and the like and may be formed from oxo-degradable or UV degradable materials and/or biobased, biodegradable and compostable materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA). 
     In other embodiments, the lawn bag  12  may comprise a drawstring or band adapted to close the top opening  22 . Such drawstring can be attached in a conventional manner such that, for example, the drawstring is threaded through openings in an upper portion of the lawn bag  12 . Other closure mechanisms may also be used such as tie extensions. In some embodiments, the left-flap  32  and right-flap  34  may be tied together to close the top opening  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in another aspect of the present invention, a refuse bag accessory  130  adapted to be removeably coupled to a conventional refuse bag  120  is presented. The refuse bag accessory  130  is adapted to be removeably coupled to a conventional refuse bag  120 . The refuse bag accessory  130  comprises an elongated bar  132  comprising one or more clips  134 , and first and second footholds  136 . The elongated bar  132  comprises a leading edge  133  and has a generally flat configuration. The first and second footholds  136  are positioned at opposite ends of the elongated bar  132 . The leading edge  133  extends between the first and second footholds  136  and is arranged generally parallel to a top edge  137  of a front refuse bag side  114 . The one or more clips  134  are adapted to removeably couple the elongated bar  132  to the refuse bag  120  such that when the elongated bar  132  is coupled to the refuse bag  120 , the footholds  136  extend beyond opposite edges of the refuse bag  120 . 
     The one or more clips  134  are conventional and commercially available clips  134  which are adapted to clamp the refuse bag  120 , directly or indirectly, to the elongated bar  132 . For example, the one or more clips  134  may be spring loaded and biased in a closed position. 
     The refuse bag accessory  130  of the preferred embodiment is composed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and has a generally flat configuration such that when positioned on the refuse bag  120  as described herein, it is generally coplanar with the front refuse bag side  114 . As shown, for example, in  FIG. 5 , in use, the conventional refuse bag  120  is positioned such that the bag front side  114  and the refuse bag accessory  130  are generally co-planar with a working surface such as the ground. In such position, a user  4  may position himself/herself with each foot  6 ,  6  on the respective footholds  136 . In this position, the user  4 , using a rake  8  or other garden implement, can then pull garden debris  36  such as leaves, grass clippings, weeds, bush clippings, and the like, through an opening  122  into the refuse bag  120 . 
     While there has been illustrated and described what is, at present, considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.