Abstract:
A tubular member is releasably mounted on a base and encircles a trash bag that rests on the base. Once the trash bag is filled, the tubular member is released from the base and removed from the filled trash bag. The filled trash bag can then be removed and discarded.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the general art of receptacles, and to the particular field of horizontally attached receptacles which can be detached. 
   Many people use trash bags to store trash. Generally, these trash bags must be placed into a trash container, filled and then removed for disposal. To this end, the inventor is aware of several different types of trash bags and trash receptacles that use trash bags. 
   However, one problem that the inventor has identified is the difficulty in placing a new trash bag into a container and then removing a full bag from the container. Often, air pressure and suction make removing a filled trash bag from a container difficult. This is especially a problem if the bag is heavy or bulky and/or the person is disabled. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a trash receptacle that can be easily manipulated. 
   In some situations, a filled trash bag is quite heavy, and, in fact, may be heavier than the container itself. Therefore, removing a filled trash bag from a container may be difficult and cumbersome. Still further, placing an empty bag into a trash container may be difficult and onerous. While the inventor is aware of some trash containers that have units for storing and dispensing trash bags, these containers really do not solve the problem as a user must still reach into a trash container to deploy a fresh bag and then still must wrestle with a filled bag to remove that filled bag from the container. 
   Therefore, there is a further need for such a trash receptacle that can be used in connection with a trash bag which can be easily placed and removed. 
   Often, a trash container becomes soiled and must be cleaned. This is generally accomplished by spraying water into the container. This water must then be dumped out which requires lifting or at least manipulating the container. This can be difficult if the person is disabled in any way. At any rate, this is an inefficient way to clean such containers. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a trash receptacle that can be easily and efficiently cleaned. 
   One problem with many of the trash containers known to the inventor is the stability thereof. In windy conditions, some of these containers tend to tip over and spill. Some containers include heavy bases to prevent tipping. However, such bases make the containers difficult to handle and manipulate, especially when removing a trash bag or cleaning the container. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a trash receptacle that is stable yet easy to manipulate. 
   PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a main object of the present invention to provide a trash receptacle that can be easily manipulated. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a trash receptacle that can be used in connection with a trash bag which can be easily placed and removed. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a trash receptacle that can be easily and efficiently cleaned. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a trash receptacle that is stable yet easy to manipulate. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These, and other, objects are achieved by a trash receptacle unit which includes a base on which a tubular member is releasably mounted. The tubular member has a movable handle and will encircle a trash bag that rests on the base. Once the tubular member is in place encircling the trash bag, the tubular member is releasably attached to the base. Trash is then placed into the bag that is located within the tubular member. Once the trash bag is filled, the tubular container is released from the base and withdrawn from the filled trash bag that remains in place on the base. The filled trash bag can then be removed for disposal. 
   Using the trash receptacle unit embodying the present invention will permit the container to be easily manipulated for loading, unloading and cleaning. The heavy base provides stability, but since the tubular member is removed from the heavy base, the heavy base will not interfere with movement of the trash bag. A trash bag can be easily placed and removed for disposal. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a trash receptacle unit embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tubular member which is included in the trash receptacle unit embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a detail view of a handle unit on the tubular member. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a trash receptacle unit  10  that achieves the above-stated objectives. 
   Unit  10  comprises a base member  12  which includes a U-shaped body  14 . Body  14  includes a first surface  16 , which is a top surface when base member  12  is in use, and a second surface  28 , which is a bottom surface when base member  12  is in use. Base member  12  further includes a first side wall  20 , a second side wall  22 , and a transverse axis  24  which extends between first side wall  20  and second side wall  22 . 
   A first end wall  30  has a proximal end  32 , which is unitary with first surface  16 , and a distal end  34 , which is spaced apart from first surface  16 . A second end wall  40  has a proximal end  42 , which is unitary with first surface  16 , and a distal end  44 , which is spaced apart from first surface  16 . 
   A longitudinal axis  46  extends between the first end wall  30  and the second end wall  40 . 
   A first wing  50  is unitary with distal end  34  of first end wall  30  and is oriented to extend essentially parallel to first surface  16 . First wing  50  includes a portion  52  that extends from first end wall  30  toward second end wall  40  and extends over first surface  16 . 
   A first channel  56  is defined between first surface  16  and portion  52  of first wing  50 . 
   A second wing  60  is unitary with distal end  44  of second end wall  40  and is oriented to extend essentially parallel to first surface  16 . Second wing  60  includes a portion  62  that extends from second end wall  40  toward first end wall  30  and extends over first surface  16 . 
   A second channel  66  is defined between first surface  16  and portion  62 . 
   A tubular member  70  is releasably mounted on base member  12  when in use. 
   Member  70  includes a tubular side wall  72  which has a first end  74 , which is a top end when tubular member  70  is in use, and a second end  76 , which is a bottom end when tubular member  70  is in use. A longitudinal axis  78  extends between first end  74  and second end  76 . Tubular side wall  72  is open adjacent to first end  74  to define an opening  80  and adjacent to second end  76  to define an opening  82 . A bore  84  is defined through tubular side wall  72  and extends from first end  74  to second end  76 . 
   A first wing  90  is unitary with second end  76  of tubular side wall  72  and extends outwardly from the tubular side wall  72  and is slidably received in first channel  56  when tubular member  70  is in use. A second wing  92  is unitary with second end  76  of tubular side wall  72  and extends outwardly from the tubular side wall  72  and is slidably received in second channel  66  when tubular member  70  is in use. 
   A handle  100  is pivotally attached to tubular member  70  adjacent to first end  74  by a pivot pin  102  extending through a washer  104  and through a pivot pin-accommodating hole  106  defined through side wall  72 . A nut  108  fixes pivot pin  102  to side wall  72  so handle  100  can move in directions  110  and  110 ′ indicated by the double-headed arrow  112 . 
   As can be understood by those skilled in the art based on the teaching of the present disclosure, use of unit  10  is as follows. A trash bag B is located on surface  16  of base member  12 , and tubular unit  70  is dropped down over that bag as indicated by arrows  114 . Tubular member  70  is then manipulated to slide wings  90  and  92  into channels  56  and  66  respectively. The bag is thus securely encircled by tubular member  70  and both tubular member  70  and the bag are held in position in a stable and non-tip manner. When the trash bag is full, tubular member  70  is maneuvered so wings  90  and  92  are slid out of channels  56  and  66 , and the tubular member is lifted off of the bag to expose the bag. The bag is then removed. Tubular member  70  and base member  12  can be easily cleaned as required. Base member  12  can be heavy since it does not have to be moved and thus unit  10  can be stable without requiring a person to move or manipulate a heavy item such as member  12 . 
   It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.