Patent Document

PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/248,016, titled, Bag Spreader for a Receptacle, and filed on Oct. 2, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This application relates to a bag spreader that aids in holding a bag open in a container tipped on its side. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Each autumn season, homeowners and yard workers spend substantial amounts of time bagging leaves to be hauled away for disposal. However, it can be difficult to actually place the leaves in the bags without some type of supporting structure for the bags, such as a garbage can. Bagging leaves in an upright can requires picking up the leaves, for example, by hand or with a rake, and then dropping or stuffing them into the bag and can openings. This is time consuming and tedious. Tipping the can on its side permits a user to rake or push leaves into the band and can openings without picking them up, but the bag can still become displaced relative to the can, requiring the user to readjust the bag. In addition, because the bag may be held open only at the can opening, the bag body inside the can is unsupported and hangs down. As leaves and other debris are thrust inside the bag, they substantially displace the hanging bag, potentially tearing the bag. 
         [0004]    What is needed is an improved bag spreader for container that helps secure the bag for easier filling. The subject matter of the present disclosure overcomes one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to a bag spreader for a container that spreads a bag in the container for filling. In one example, the bag spreader secures the bag in place while supporting the bag internally to reduce the chance of tearing. This bag spreader may permit a user to rake the leaves into the bag and container openings when the container is on its side. The spreader may hold the bag at the container edge and internally to reduce the chance of tearing the bag as leaves or other debris are forced to the bottom end of the container. 
         [0006]    In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a bag spreader for spreading a bag in a container lying on its side such that the container opens on a lateral side and such that the container includes an upper sidewall having an upwardly facing outer surface. The bag spreader includes a connection portion arranged to interface with the upwardly facing outer surface of the container when the container is oriented on its side and includes a bag supporting portion arranged for insertion into the bag and the container. The bag supporting portion may be disposed adjacent the upper sidewall of the container in a manner that supports the bag in an open condition when the container is oriented on its side. A head portion connects the connection portion and the bag spreading portion with the connection portion and the bag supporting portion being spaced apart on the head portion a distance sufficient to receive an edge of the container. 
         [0007]    In some aspects, the bag spreader further comprises an attachment element extending from the head portion. The attachment element may be configured to interface with the container to help secure the bag spreader to the container. The attachment element may be a compliant mechanism arranged to flex to extend over a lip of the container when the bag spreader is being attached or removed from the container. 
         [0008]    In some aspects, the bag supporting portion is arranged to cooperate with the container to extend into the container more than 15% of the depth of the container. In some aspects, the head portion comprises a grip configured to be grasped by a user when attaching or removing the spreader from the container. 
         [0009]    In some aspects, the connection portion comprises a first plurality of legs and wherein the bag supporting portion comprises a second plurality of legs. The first plurality of legs may be spaced apart from each other by a first distance and the second plurality of legs may be spaced apart from each other by a second distance. The second distance may be greater than the first distance. 
         [0010]    In some aspects, the connection portion extends substantially parallel to the bag supporting portion, and the connection portion comprises a protruding portion protruding toward the bag supporting portion to interface with the outer surface of the container and orient the bag spreader. In some aspects, the bag supporting portion comprises a rounded or tapered distal end. In other aspects, the connection portion extends from the head portion by a first length and the bag supporting portion extends from the head portion by a second length, the second length being greater than the first length. 
         [0011]    In a second exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a bag spreader for spreading a bag in a container. The bag spreader includes a first plurality of legs lying substantially in a first plane, the first plurality of legs being arranged to interface with an outer surface of the container. It also includes a second plurality of legs lying substantially in a second plane. The second plane may be substantially parallel to the first plane and the second plurality of legs may be arranged for insertion into the container and into the bag in the container in a manner that supports the bag a distance spaced from the container opening. The first and second planes may be offset a distance sufficient to receive an edge of the container such that when the first plurality of legs interfaces with the outer surface of the container, the second plurality of legs is disposed within the container. A head portion may connect the first and second plurality of legs. 
         [0012]    In some aspects, the bag spreader includes an attachment element extending from the head portion, the attachment element being configured to interface with the container to help secure the bag spreader to the container. 
         [0013]    In some aspects, the head portion comprises a grip configured to be grasped by a user when attaching or removing the spreader from the container. In some aspects, the first plurality of legs comprises a protruding portion protruding toward the second plurality of legs. In some aspects, each leg of the first and second pluralities of legs have rounded or tapered leading edges. 
         [0014]    In some aspects, the first plurality of legs comprises two substantially parallel legs and the second plurality of legs comprises two substantially parallel legs. In some aspects, the second plurality of legs have a length greater than the first plurality of legs. 
         [0015]    In another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly including a container and a bag spreader. The container includes a container open end and a container closed end and is configured to receive a bag therein. The container is tippable onto its side so that material can be directed directly from the ground into the container. The bag spreader is at least partially receivable in the container open end. It is structurally configured to interface with the container at the container opening and structurally configured to extend into the container toward the closed end of the container to support the inside of a bag within the container at a location spaced from the container opening. 
         [0016]    In some aspects, the bag spreader includes a connection portion arranged to interface with the upwardly facing outer surface of the container when the container is oriented on its side and a bag supporting portion arranged for insertion into the bag and the container. The bag supporting portion may be disposed adjacent the upper sidewall of the container in a manner that supports the bag in an open condition when the container is oriented on its side. The bag spreader also may include a head portion connecting the connection portion and the bag spreading portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a system including an exemplary bag spreader with a container and a bag. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are illustrations of the exemplary bag spreader of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of ends of legs of the exemplary bag spreader of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a flexible clip portion of the exemplary bag spreader of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a handle portion of the exemplary bag spreader of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a frontal view of the exemplary bag spreader of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are illustrations showing the exemplary bag spreader of  FIG. 1  being placed on the container  104 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. 
         [0027]    The bag spreader described herein simplifies bagging of leaves or other debris by securing a leaf bag or other bag in place in a container so that it can be easily filled. To do this, the bag spreader is not only arranged to hold the bag at the container opening, but is also arranged to extend into the container opening to support or hold the bag open within the container. This becomes particularly helpful when the container is tipped on its side and leaves or other debris are pushed or raked directly into the container opening. Because the bag spreader extends into the container opening to support the bag, it reduces or eliminates bag sagging near the container opening. Because of this, users can push leaves and debris into the bag and container with a reduced chance of snags or tearing of the bag. When the bag is filled, the container can be uprighted and the bag spreader can be easily removed, leaving the bag to be tied. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary bag spreader  100  of the present disclosure joined with a bag  102  and a conventional container  104 , such as a garbage can. The bag spreader  100  fits over an edge of the container  104  and operates to hold the bag  102  in place. As will be discussed further below, the bag spreader  100  holds the bag  102  not only at the edge of the container  102 , but also extends into the container and supports the bag  102  inside the container when the container is tipped onto its side. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the exemplary bag spreader  100  in greater detail. The bag spreader  100  includes a connection portion as a plurality of outer legs  106 , a bag supporting portion as a plurality of inner legs  108 , a head portion as a handle  110 , and an attachment element  112 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the plurality of outer legs  106  are disposed substantially in a first plane and the plurality of inner legs  108  are disposed substantially in a second plane, offset from and substantially parallel to the first plane. The plurality of outer legs  106  are configured and arranged to fit along the outer side of the container  104  in the manner shown in  FIG. 1 . These outer legs  106  have a proximal portion  114  adjacent the handle  110  and a distal portion  116 . As can be seen, the proximal portion  114  extends rigidly from the handle  110  and is formed to be substantially straight. The distal portion  116 , disposed at the end of the proximal portion  114 , includes a protruding portion  118  protruding inwardly toward the inner legs  108 . This protruding portion  118  includes a curved or tapered leading end  120  curving or angling away from the inner legs  108  to a distal end  122 . This is described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the bag spreader  100 , the bag  102 , and the container  104 . Here, the container  104  has been tipped onto its side so that the opening is at a lateral side and a sidewall  123  forms an upper wall. As can be seen, the container sidewall  123  includes an outer surface  124  and an inner surface  126 . The bottom end  127  of the container  104  is opposite the open end. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the container  104  includes a container edge  128  defining the container opening. In this example, the edge  128  includes a lip  130 . 
         [0031]    When disposed on a container, such as the container  104  tipped on its side, the protruding portion  118  of the outer legs  106  interfaces with the upwardly facing outer surface  124  of the container  104 . This protruding portion  118  cooperates with the container  104  to maintain the outer legs  106  and inner legs  108  in an orientation where the outer and inner legs  106 ,  108  are disposed substantially parallel to the inner surface  126  of the container  104 . This enables the inner legs  108  to more effectively hold the bag  102  adjacent the inner surface  126  of the container  104 . In addition, the curved or tapered leading end  120  enables a user to more easily slide the bag spreader  100  over the container edge  128 , as the curved or tapered leading end  120  can guide the outer legs  106  over the edge  128 . 
         [0032]    The inner legs  108  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2-4 . The inner legs  108  extend substantially parallel to the outer legs  106 . Like the outer legs  106 , the inner legs  108  are rigid and cantilevered from the handle  110 . These have a proximal portion  131  adjacent the handle  110  and have a distal portion  132  with a distal end  133 . In the example shown, the inner legs  108  have a length greater than the length of the outer legs  106 , such that in use, they are disposed closer to the bottom end  127  of the container  104 . This helps the inner legs support the bag  102  deep into the container  104 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0033]    In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inner legs  106  are sized to cooperate with the container  104  by extending along the container inner surface  126  about two-thirds of the depth of the container. However, the inner legs  108  may be arranged to cooperate with a specific container and may extend, for example, to a container depth within the range of about 15% to 100% of the total container depth. In other examples, the inner legs  108  extend within a range of about 35% to 100% of the total container depth. In some embodiments, the inner legs  108  are arranged to cooperate with a container by extending more than half of the depth of the container. In some embodiments, the inner legs have a length in the range of 12 to 48 inches, although the legs may be either larger or smaller. In some embodiments, the inner legs having a length within the range of about 18 to 36 inches, and in some embodiments, the inner legs have a length within the range of about 24-36 inches. Because the inner legs  106  extend deep into the container  104 , rather than just attaching at the container edge, the bag  102  does not sag at the container opening. Instead, the bag is supported near the opening and deep into the container. Accordingly, when the container is on its side as in  FIG. 4 , the bag  102  is better held out of the way of debris being pushed into the container opening. This makes loading the bag easier because it reduces the chance of debris snagging on the bag, and it also protects the bag, reducing the change of tearing or otherwise damaging the bag. This may directly lead to more efficient bagging of debris. 
         [0034]    As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the distal end  133  includes a rounded or tapered leading edge  134  that enables the distal end  133  to smoothly slide along a bag in the container  104 . This reduces the chance of damaging the bag  102  in the container  104 . In addition, the rounded or tapered leading edge  134  may aid when introducing the spreader  100  over the edge  128  of the container  104  by guiding the inner legs  106 . 
         [0035]    The attachment element  112  is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and  6 . It cooperates with the container  104  to hold the bag spreader  100  on the container. In the example shown, the attachment element  112  is a sheet-like compliant mechanism integrally formed with the spreader and elastically flexes to fit over the container edge  128 . In this example, the attachment element  112  includes a proximal portion  136  extending parallel to the legs  106 ,  108 . This proximal portion  136  may be configured to fit adjacent the container lip  130 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . From the proximal portion, the attachment element  112  curves toward the inner legs  108  to form a protrusion  138  that interfaces with the outer surface  124  of the container. By engaging the outer surface  124  distal of the container lip  130 , the attachment element  112  helps secure the spreader  100  on the container  104 . A distal portion  140  of the attachment element  112  is arranged to be spaced from the outer surface  124  of the container  104  for easy grasping when in use. This enables a user to manually elastically flex the attachment element  112  to more easily remove the spreader  100  from a container. It is worth noting that the attachment element  112  is shaped to flex to both be attached to and removed from a container without being independently flexed by a user. 
         [0036]    The handle  110 , shown in all the Figures, is the structure connecting the legs and the attachment element. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , it is arranged to lie adjacent the container edge  128  in use.  FIG. 7  shows the handle  110  in greater detail. In the example shown, the handle  110  includes a grip  142  formed therein that allows a user to hold the spreader when placing it on or taking it off a container. In this embodiment, the grip  142  is formed as a depression in the handle  110  on the sides that face the container edge  128  and that include the inner legs  108 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the inner legs  108  are shown spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than that of the outer legs  106 . In other examples, the inner legs  108  are spaced apart the same distance as the outer legs  106 . 
         [0038]    In use, a bag  102  may be placed into a container  104  such that the bag opening corresponds to the container opening, as is shown in  FIG. 9A . In some instances, the bag  102  may be folded about the edges of the container  104  so that the edge of the bag open end is exterior of the container opening and the container edge is entirely covered by the bag. The bag spreader  100  is then disposed over the edge of the container  104  so that the legs extend into the container along a sidewall adjacent to both an inner and an outer surface of the container  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9B . 
         [0039]    With the bag and spreader in place, the container may be tipped on its side so that the opening lies adjacent the ground. If the bag is disposed to extend over the edge of the container, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 A, and  9 B, the attachment element  112  and the outer arms  106  may help hold the bag in place along the outwardly facing side of the container. For example, a portion of the spreader&#39;s weight may lie on the bag  102  at the lip  130  of the container edge  128  when the container is tipped on its side. Accordingly, in addition to supporting the bag with the inner legs  108 , the bag may be held in place by the attachment element  112  and the outer arms  106 . 
         [0040]    With the container on its side, a user can rake leaves and other debris directly into the bag. The spreader supports the bag at the top edge of the container when the container is on its side. It also supports the bag inside the container, not just near the opening, but also further in toward the closed end of the container so that the bag doesn&#39;t hang as much as it otherwise would. 
         [0041]    In the example shown, the container  104  is a square shaped container having substantially straight edges forming the opening. One such square container is marketed by Rubbermaid® under the tradename Brute® Utility containers. Square containers are particularly useful when raking debris into the can because one edge can lie parallel with the ground. However, other containers suitable for use with the spreader disclosed herein have shapes other than square shaped. For example, in some embodiments, the container is a round container having a circular opening, and the spreader  100  cooperates with the round container to hold the bag in the round container. It should be apparent that other containers in addition to the square and round containers may be used, including containers having round openings, rectangular openings, oval openings, among other. It should also be apparent that in some embodiments, the bag spreader  100  is formed to fit the edge of the container in a manner that helps hold the bag within the container in the manner described above. In some embodiments where the container has a curved opening, such as with a round container, the bag spreader head portion is curved to match the curvature of the container opening. In other embodiments, the bag spreader head portion is straight as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0042]    In some examples, more than one spreader is used with a single container. For example, two or more spreaders may be used with a single container to secure and hold open the bag. In one example, the spreaders are used on opposing sides of the container. In another example, the spreaders are used on adjacent sides, and in yet other examples, the spreaders are used on the same side of the container. 
         [0043]    Although disclosed as a leaf collector, the spreader may be used in any application to collect and bag material. For example, it may be used to collect and bag shavings from animal stalls, gardening mulch, twigs, foliage, weeds, saw dust, trash, debris, or any other material that might be bagged. 
         [0044]    It is worth noting that the spreader  100  can be used to not only support the bag inside the container, spaced apart from the container opening to reduce bag sagging when the bag is on its side, but it can also be used to secure and hold the bag in place when the container is upright. Because some embodiments extend both inside and outside of the associated container, and because some embodiments rest on the edge of the container, the spreader helps secure the bag in place at all times. 
         [0045]    Since the spreader is useful in bagging applications, some spreader embodiments are sized to cooperate with conventional 33 gallon bags or larger. As such, the legs are sized to extend deep into such bags to support the bags and prevent bag sag. 
         [0046]    The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Technology Category: 7