Patent ID: 12187534

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a garbage bag holder and more particularly to a heavy-duty garbage bag support as used to hold a garbage bag in an open-position on any support surface. Generally disclosed is an industrial warehouse garbage bag support bracket. The garbage bag support bracket may include a bracket, a bracket backing made from aluminum, screws, washers, and bag clips for attaching the garbage bag to the bracket. Particularly, the garbage bag support bracket may be useful for disposal of waste from a forklift truck. As such, the garbage bag support bracket may be made from shatterproof polycarbonate material configured to withstand being repeatedly hit by “flying” garbage (thrown from the forklift truck).

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown inFIGS.1-11, various views of an apparatus100.

The apparatus100may be used for supporting a bag5in an open-position on a support-surface10(the open-position of the bag5including an open-mouth15and a rim20bordering the open-mouth15). Preferably, the bag5may include a heavy-duty load capacity. As shown inFIG.1, in some embodiments, the apparatus100may be used for supporting trash bags in warehouse settings. In this embodiment, again as shown inFIG.1, the support-surface10may be a steel storage rack used in a warehouse. However, it is contemplated that the apparatus100may be mounted to, and removed from, any surface.

As shown inFIG.2, the apparatus100may include a support-frame110and at least one fastener120. The support-frame110may comprise an at least substantially shatter-resistant material. Preferably, the shatter-resistant material may also be substantially flexible. In some embodiments, the at least substantially shatter-resistant material may be polycarbonate material. The shatter-resistant material may be particularly useful in industrial and warehouse settings. For example, the support-frame110may be configured to withstand being hit repeatedly by flying debris, so that a warehouse worker may be able to throw debris and garbage from a forklift truck into the bag5.

The support-frame110may include a rear-side112and a front-side114relative to the support-surface10and the rear-side112may be configured for attachment to the support-surface10. The at least one fastener120may be configured to removably mount the rear-side112of the support-frame110to the support-surface10. The support-frame110may include a substantially semi-circular profile being defined by an arced-section115and a horizontal-section113. The horizontal-section113may define the rear-side112of the support-frame110and the arced-section115may define the front-side114of the support-frame110.

As shown inFIG.3, the support-frame110may include a frame-thickness119of between 1/16-½ of an inch. For example, the frame-thickness119may be 3/16 of an inch. Further, as shown inFIG.4, the support-frame110may include a frame-height118of between 2-5 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the frame-height118may be 3 inches. However, it should be appreciated that these measurements are given as examples and that the apparatus100is not limited to the exemplary measurements.

The support-frame110may be defined by an opening116(the horizontal-section113and the arced-section115framing the opening116). As shown inFIG.1, the opening116may be configured to receive the bag5therethrough and the support-frame110may be configured to support the rim20of the bag5when the bag5is inserted therethrough and hold the bag5in the open-position. To achieve this, the opening116may include an opening-depth117(FIG.3) sized similar to an open-mouth depth of the open-mouth15of the bag5when in the open-position, so as to hold the bag5sufficiently open for easy insertion of garbage and other debris. In some embodiments, the opening-depth117may be between 15-20 inches. For example, the opening-depth117may be 16 inches. Again, it should be appreciated that these measurements are given as examples and that the apparatus100is not limited to the exemplary measurements.

In some embodiments, the apparatus100may comprise at least one clip150, as shown inFIGS.1-2. The at least one clip150may be configured to secure the rim20of the bag5to the support-frame110. The at least one clip150may include a string of material attached thereto. Other clip means are also contemplated. Further, in some embodiments, the at least one clip150may include a set of clips. For example, as shown, the at least one clip150may include four clips.

The support-frame110and the at least one fastener120may preferably be structured and arranged such that the apparatus100is able to support the bag5at its maximum load capacity. For example, in some embodiments, the maximum load capacity may be at least 100 lb (or less). In some embodiments, the maximum load capacity may be more than 100 lb. Further, the apparatus100may additionally comprise a frame-backing130configured to provide additional support to the support-frame110.

Preferably, the frame-backing130may be attached to the horizontal-section113. As shown inFIG.6, the frame-backing130may include a plate-body132having a plate-length134. In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.1-9, the plate-length134may span the horizontal-section113. In some embodiments, the horizontal-section113may include a horizontal-length111between 30-40 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the horizontal-length111may be 32 inches. The plate-length134may also be between 30-40 inches. In other embodiments, as shown inFIGS.10-11, the plate-length134may be longer than the horizontal-section113. In some embodiments, the plate-body132may include a plate-thickness136(FIG.7) of 0.080 mil. Again, as above, it should be appreciated that measurements are given as examples and that the apparatus100is not limited to the exemplary measurements. Further, the frame-backing130may comprise a substantially metal material, such as an aluminum material, to aid the support-frame110in supporting the maximum load capacity of the bag5.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.1-5, the frame-backing130may only include the plate-body132being flat. In other embodiments, as shown inFIGS.8-9, the frame-backing130may include the plate-body132having a L-shaped bracket configuration133(defined by a flat-section and a lip-section). In one version of this embodiment, a rear of the plate-body132may be configured for attachment to the support-surface10and attached thereto with the at least one fastener120. Further, as shown inFIG.11, the plate-body132may include a partially L-shaped bracket configuration133, wherein the plate-body132includes the flat-section and a portion of the lip-section. In this version of the embodiment, the at least one fastener120may attach to the flat-section of the plate-body132.

The at least one fastener120may include at least one self-drilling screw122. In this embodiment, the apparatus100may further comprise at least one washer140configured to mate with the at least one self-drilling screw122. In some embodiments, the at least one self-drilling screw122may include a set of self-drilling screws. For example, the set of self-drilling screws may include four self-drilling screws. In addition, the at least one washer140may include a set of washers. For example, the set of washers may include four washers, each configured to mate with a self-drilling screw122.

As above, the support-frame110and the at least one fastener120may preferably be structured and arranged such that the apparatus100is able to support the bag5at its maximum load capacity. In a preferred embodiment, the support-frame110, the frame-backing130, the at least one self-drilling screw122and the at least one washer140may be structured and arranged such that the apparatus100is able to support the bag5at its maximum load capacity. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.7, the apparatus100may be provided as a kit160. The kit160may include the support-frame110, the frame-backing130, the at least one self-drilling screw122, the at least one washer140and the at least one clip150. It should be appreciated that the at least one fastener120is not limited to a self-drilling screw122.

Referring now toFIG.12showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of use1200for supporting a bag in an open-position on a support-surface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use1200may include one or more components or features of the apparatus100as described above. As illustrated, the method of use1200may include the steps of: step one1201, providing the apparatus as above; step two1202, placing the rear-side of the support-frame against the support-surface; step three1203, mounting the support-frame to the support-surface via the at least one fastener; step four1204, inserting the bag through the opening of the support-frame; step five1205, attaching the rim of the bag to the support-frame such that the support-frame holds the bag in the open-position; step six1206, filling the load capacity of the bag; and step seven1207, selectively removing the bag from the support-frame when needed (for example, when the bag is full).

In some embodiments, further steps may include step eight1208, removing the support-frame from the support-surface; and step nine1209, mounting the support-frame to another support-surface. For example, if a worker needs to dispose of garbage in a different location, they may remove the support-frame from the current location and attach it to another support-surface at a different location.

It should be noted that step eight1208and step nine1209are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use1200are illustrated using dotted lines inFIG.12so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use1200. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using the apparatus to support a bag in an open-position on a support-surface are taught herein.

Referring now toFIGS.13-20, there is shown additional embodiments of an apparatus200.

The apparatus200may be used for supporting a bag5in an open-position on a support-surface10(the open-position of the bag5including an open-mouth15and a rim20bordering the open-mouth15), seeFIG.1. Preferably, the bag5may include a heavy-duty load capacity. In some embodiments, the apparatus200may be used for supporting trash bags in warehouse settings.

The apparatus200includes a support-frame210may include a rear-side212and a front-side214relative to the support-surface10and the rear-side212may be configured for attachment to the support-surface10. The support-frame210may include a substantially semi-circular profile being defined by an arced-section215and a horizontal-section213. The horizontal-section213may define the rear-side212of the support-frame210and the arced-section215may define the front-side214of the support-frame210.

The support-frame210may be defined by an opening216(the horizontal-section213and the arced-section215framing the opening216). The opening216may be configured to receive the bag5therethrough and the support-frame210may be configured to support the rim20of the bag5when the bag5is inserted therethrough and hold the bag5in the open-position. To achieve this, the opening216may include an opening-depth217sized similar to an open-mouth depth of the open-mouth15of the bag5when in the open-position, so as to hold the bag5sufficiently open for easy insertion of garbage and other debris. In some embodiments, the opening-depth217may be between 15-20 inches. For example, the opening-depth217may be 16 inches. Again, it should be appreciated that these measurements are given as examples and that the apparatus200is not limited to the exemplary measurements.

In some embodiments, the apparatus200may comprise at least one bag fastener250. The at least one bag fastener250may be configured to secure the rim20of the bag5to the support-frame210. The at least one bag fastener250may include an elastic strap252having a strap body258, an upper end260, a lower end262. Elastic strap may be constructed from rubber or other flexible, stretchable material. Upper end260of elastic strap252is secured to the interior wall of horizontal-section213, as illustrated, and/or the arced-section215. As illustrated, a plurality of bag fasteners250are positioned around various locations along the interior wall of horizontal-section213and/or the arced-section215.

Bag fastener250also includes a hook shaped clip254. Clip254is secured to the strap body258between the strap body258and the support-frame210and located proximate to the lower end262but sufficiently away from the lower end262to allow a user to grip the strap body258between the clip254and the lower end262. In some embodiments, as shown, at least one reinforcement support256is included to provide additional support to the bag fastener250. Other fasteners are also contemplated. Further, in some embodiments, the at least one bag fastener250may include a plurality of bag fasteners. For example, as shown, the at least one bag fastener250may include four fasteners.

Referring now toFIG.21showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of use2200for supporting a bag in an open-position on a support-surface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use2200may include one or more components or features of the apparatus200as described above. As illustrated, the method of use2200may include the steps of: step one2201, providing the apparatus as above; step two2202, placing the rear-side of the support-frame against the support-surface; step three2203, mounting the support-frame to the support-surface; step four2204, inserting the bag through the opening of the support-frame; step five2205, extending the bag over the bag fasteners and around the outer surface of the support-frame; step six2206, stretching the elastic strap252sufficiently so that clip254engages with the lower edge of the support frame210and thereby attaching the rim of the bag to the support-frame such that the support-frame holds the bag in the open-position; step seven1207, filling the load capacity of the bag; and step eight1208, selectively removing the bag from the support-frame when needed (for example, when the bag is full).

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.