Abstract:
A trash bag supporting apparatus comprises a support ring having a circular cylindrical interior surface extending at a predetermined angle for receiving the openable end of a trash bag therethrough with the trash bag draped around the surface. A pressure ring has a circular cylindrical exterior surface extending at the same angle as the surface of the support ring for securing the trash bag in an open configuration and for preventing the trash bag from falling through the support ring upon the receipt of trash therein.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    Applicant claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/910,695 filed Apr. 9, 2007. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to trash receptacles, and more particularly to devices for supporting trash bags and maintaining openings at the upper ends thereof for receiving waste. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Traditional waste receptacles comprise an outer structure such as a can or basket and a trash bag set inside the outer structure through an opening in the top thereof. The open upper end of the trash bag is generally stretched and folded over the upper edge of the outer container, and a tie or knot is sometimes placed in any extra bag material to tighten the bag&#39;s seal around the container. When items are placed into the bag and the weight within the bag begins to pull the top of the bag down the seal is easily loosened or lost causing the top of the bag to collapse and fall into the container. Re-fastening the top of the bag around the container may or may not occur before more items are put into the container resulting in an undesirable outcome. 
         [0004]    After the trash bag is filled it must be lifted out of the container through the opening in the top of the container. Items inside the trash bag often compact together thereby stretching the sides of the trash bag thereby preventing the filled bag from being easily lifted through the opening at the top of the container. Often a bag will tear when an item is pushing outward against the bag causing the bag to catch on or below the surface of the container opening as the filled bag is being removed from the container. If the filled bag is successfully lifted and removed from the container without tearing or spilling trash deposited therein, the filled bag must then be transported to a trash collection site which may be a large waste collection container, a dumpster, or the like. The task of transporting the filled trash bag be difficult for some persons as not everyone has the strength or ability or desire to lift a filled trash bag and carry it to a larger waste collection container. 
         [0005]    Alternatively, trash bags are not always placed in a container. For example, although a lawn and leaf trash bag may stand on its own it is usually difficult to keep the top of the bag open while placing trash therein. After the bag is filled the top must be folder over and the filled bag must be transported to a designated area for pickup or disposal. Although lawn clippings, leaves, and the like which are generally deposited into lawn and leaf trash bags are light in weight a bag filled with such materials is generally bulky in size and the quantity of trash filling the bag can have a substantial weight thereby making the filled bag cumbersome and difficult to transport. 
         [0006]    The present invention comprises an devices for supporting trash bags which overcome the foregoing and other difficulties which have long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with specific aspects of the invention a trash bag supporting device comprises an open frame having a bag support ring incorporated thereon. A trash bag is extended through the ring, the upper perimeter of the bag is folded over the ring, and a pressure ring is placed over the bag and support ring to maintain the bag in engagement with the frame. Once the bag is filled the pressure ring is removed and the upper perimeter of the bag may be pulled beneath the support ring thereby enabling the bag to be removed without requiring the bag be lifted through the confined area of the support ring. The bag is easily removed from the frame without the risk of tearing and without requiring the strength to lift a heavy filled trash bag. 
         [0007]    In accordance with specific aspects of one embodiment of the invention the frame comprises an upper portion and a lower portion which are adjustably coupled together. The upper portion telescopes between different pre-defined positions enabling the apparatus to accommodate various sizes of trash bags. A lid engages the pressure ring and provides a cover over the trash bag. The lower portion of the frame may comprise a set of wheels thereby enabling the apparatus to be transported with the trash bag supported therein thereby facilitating transport of a filled trash bag to a larger waste collection container or location. 
         [0008]    Other embodiments of the invention comprise otherwise conventional trash bag receiving containers that are equipped with the support ring and the pressure ring of the present invention. A lid may be engaged with the interior surface of the pressure ring to prevent vermin from entering and odors from escaping from trash bags supported in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a trash bag supporting apparatus comprising one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the trash bag supporting apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the upper portion of the trash bag supporting apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is sectional view similar to  FIG. 3  showing the pressure ring engaged with the upper end of a trash bag thereby maintaining the trash bag in an open configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the trash bag supporting apparatus of  FIG. 1  shown in a storage position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is side view of the trash bag supporting apparatus of  FIG. 1  shown in a multiple positions for receiving various sizes of trash bags; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a conventional trash receiving container equipped with the support ring, the pressure ring, and the lid of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is another perspective view illustrating a conventional trash receiving container equipped with the support ring, the pressure ring, and the lid of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating yet another conventional trash receiving container equipped with the support ring and the pressure ring of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a further illustration of the trash bag of  FIG. 8 ; and receiving container 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating a trash bag supporting device equipped with the support ring, the pressure ring, and the lid of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a trash bag supporting apparatus  10  comprising one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises an open frame  12  having an upper portion  14  and a lower portion  16 . The upper portion  14  comprises an upper support wall  18  having a support ring  20  extending perpendicularly therefrom for receiving and supporting a trash bag T. The lower portion  16  comprises a lower support wall  22  and a base  24  extending perpendicularly therefrom for further supporting the trash bag T. The upper portion  12  is adjustably fastened on the lower portion  14  and telescopes vertically in relation thereto such that the frame  12  may be adjusted to different heights to accommodate various sizes of trash bags. Wheels  26  secured to the lower portion  16  enable the apparatus  10  to be moved while supporting the trash bag T. 
         [0023]    After placing a trash bag T through the support ring  20  the upper perimeter of the bag T is folded over the support ring  20  and a pressure ring  28  is then placed thereover and pressed downward until the pressure ring  28  seats within the support ring  20 . The pressure ring  28  thereafter maintains the trash bag T in mating engagement with the support ring  20  and thus the apparatus  10 . A lid  30  provides a covering over the top of the trash bag T and provides further downward pressure on the pressure ring  28  and support ring  20 . To remove the trash bag T from the apparatus  10  the pressure ring  28  is lifted from the support ring  20 , the upper perimeter of the bag T is lowered through the support ring  20 , and the bag T is removed by pulling the bag T horizontally outward from within the frame  12 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an exploded perspective view of the trash bag supporting apparatus  10 . The upper portion  14  and the lower portion  16  of the frame  12  are adjustably fastened by a bracket  34  secured to the lower support wall  22  by a threaded fastener  36  extending through an aperture  38  in the lower support wall  22 . The upper support wall  18  telescopes vertically in relation to the lower support wall  22  and nests over the lower support wall  22  when the frame  12  is assembled together for receiving a trash bag therein. Threaded fasteners  40  extend through one of a plurality of sets of apertures  42   a  and  42   b , through the apertures  44  in the lower support wall  22  and into threaded engagement with the bracket  34 . The plurality of sets of apertures  42   a  and  42   b  facilitate securing the upper portion  14  at different heights in relation to the lower portion  18  in order for the frame  12  to accommodate various sizes of trash bags. 
         [0025]    The upper portion comprises an upper lip  46  beneath the support ring  20  for providing horizontal support to a trash bag within the frame  12  and also for securing the upper portion  14  to the lower portion  16  in a storage configuration as will be discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 4 . The lower portion  16  comprises a lower lip  48  on the base  24  for providing horizontal support to a trash bag within the frame  12  and also for securing the upper portion  14  to the lower portion  16  in a storage configuration as will be discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 4 . 
         [0026]    A handle  50  is provided at the upper end of the upper portion  14  and is supported by a dowel  52  extending therethough which is in turn secured by a nut  56  or other suitable fastening means known to those skilled in the art. The wheels  26  are secured to the lower portion  16  by an axle pin  60  and fasteners  62 , or other suitable fastening means known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a sectional view of the upper portion  14  of the frame  12 . As shown therein, the support ring  20 , pressure ring  28 , and lid  30  each have an inward conical shape such that all three components nest within and matingly engage each other. The mating shapes enable the apparatus  10  to support trash bags of various thickness and weight while maintaining a secure fit of the bag about the support ring  20  such that a bag will not slip or lose engagement between the pressure ring  28  and support ring  20 , no matter the weight or amount of trash placed within the bag. Accordingly, the frame  12  may comprise polymers, lightweight metals, and various other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the apparatus  10  in a storage and transport configuration. The upper portion  14  of the frame  12  may be inverted such that the upper lip  46  is received in an opening in the lower support wall  22  and the lower lip  48  is received in the upper support wall  18 . The apparatus  10  is thereby configured in a more compact orientation for easier storage and transport without a trash bag therein. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown the apparatus  10  with the upper portion  14  telescoped into two different positions relative to the lower portion  16  for accommodating different sizes of trash bags that may be used with the apparatus  10 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates an otherwise conventional trash bag receiving container  70  that is provided with upper walls  72  which are equipped with the support ring  28  of the present invention. In use conventional trash bags are extended downwardly through the pressure rings  28  until the closed ends of the trash bags engage the floor  74  of the container  70 . The openable ends of the trash bags are flared outwardly around the support ring  28 . Thereafter the pressure ring  28  of the present invention are engaged with the interior surface of the trash bag to retain the trash bags in an open figuration and to prevent the trash bags from falling inwardly through the pressure ring  20  as trash is accumulated therein. The lids  30  of the present invention may be employed to prevent vermin from entering trash bags supported in the container  70  and to prevent odors from escaping therefrom. 
         [0031]    A conventional trash receiving container  80  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The support ring  28  of the present invention is equipped with a base  82  adapted for engagement with the open upper end of the receptacle  80  in the manner illustrated at  84 . When the base  82  of the support ring  28  is engaged with the upper end of the receptacle  80  in the manner illustrated a trash bag is extended through the support ring  28  until the closed end thereof engages the closed bottom end of the receptacle  80 . Thereafter the openable end of the trash bag is draped around the periphery of the support ring  28 . Thereafter the pressure ring  28  of the present invention is engaged with the interior surface of the openable end of the trash bag to secure the trash bag in engagement with the pressure ring  20  and to prevent the trash bag from falling inwardly into the receptacle  80  under the weight of trash accumulated therein. The lid  30  of the present invention is employed to prevent vermin from entering a trash bag secured within the receptacle  80  and to prevent odors from escaping therefrom. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  illustrate a trash container  90  comprising the present invention. The trash container  90  comprises a right circular cylinder having and open bottom and equipped with the support ring  20  of the present invention at the upper end thereof. The pressure ring  28  of the present invention is equipped for mating engagement with the support ring  20  to secure a trash bag received within the container  90  in an open figuration and to prevent the trash bag from falling inwardly into the container  90  as it is filled with trash. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  further illustrates a relationship between the right circular cylinder comprising the container  90 , the support ring  20  thereof, a trash bag T received within the container  90 , and the use of the pressure ring  28  to secure the openable end of the trash bag T in an open configuration and to prevent the trash bag T from falling inwardly into the container  90  when it is filled with trash. As is illustrated in  FIG. 10  the container  90  may be provided with the top  30  of the present invention to prevent vermin from entering a trash bag supported within the container  90  and to prevent odors from escaping therefrom. 
         [0034]      FIG. 11  illustrates a trash bag receiving apparatus  100  comprising a frame  102  having a shape which is reminiscent of the shape of the frame  12  of the trash bag supporting apparatus  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. A support ring  20  comprising the present invention is provided at the upper end of the frame  102 . In the use of the apparatus  100  a conventional trash bag is supported by the frame  102  with the closed end of the trash bag supported by the bottom wall  104  thereof and the openable end of the trash bag draped around the periphery of the support ring  20 . Thereafter the pressure ring  28  of the present invention is engaged with the interior surface of the openable end of the trash bag in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3A  thereby securing the trash bag in its open configuration and preventing the trash bag from falling inwardly when trash is accumulated therein. The lid  30  of the present invention maybe employed to prevent vermin from entering trash bags supported on the apparatus  100  and to prevent odors from emanating therefrom. 
         [0035]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.