GB2510113A

GB2510113A - Bag fill device

Info

Publication number: GB2510113A
Application number: GB1301162.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger William Wood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-23
Filing date: 2013-01-23
Publication date: 2014-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-23
Also published as: GB2510113B; GB201301162D0

Abstract

A bag fill device 7 for use with a plastic bag, such as a garden waste bag comprises an elongate rigid body comprising a first distal end and a second distal end. The first and second ends are open such that a void 3 is formed in the device and said body further comprises at least one raised peripheral section 6 arranged in use for interaction with said bag. The at least one raised section 6 may be a plurality of ribs, which may be longitudinal, circumferential or helical. The upper end of the device may comprise a funnel 8 and handles 2 may be provided for ease of handling.

Description

A BAG FILL DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bag fill device, more particularly but not exclusively a bag fill device for use with a plastic bag.

Background

There are a number of occasions when bags or sacks are filled incrementally in order to displace or dispose of items, for example when maintaining areas tidy.

For example dedicated bags are provided to hold garden waste, which waste is liable to be difficult to amalgamate into thin bags, as such can often become damaged when adding sharp items such as hedge cuttings. As the items are added and compressed into the bag they may additionally or alternatively become caught on the bag wall causing said wall to rip leaving a hole through which items can then escape and damage can spread.

Typically the bags are lightweight and flexible for easy use. Thicker heavier bags are provided to limit ripping however these may be heavier and therefore harder for a user to carry.

Additionally the user may struggle to keep the bag open whilst filling, particularly in outdoor or windy conditions. The bag may be positioned in a dustbin or similar structure in order to support the bag and assist in keeping the bag open, although often the bag will collapse unless secured by fiddling around its mouth. *. .*

* * PriorArt 30 Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States US 7 237 753 (METCALFE) discloses a debris collector comprising: (a) A sleeve including a top opening and a bottom opening, the sleeve being operable to be attached to a bag adjacent to the bottom opening, the sleeve defining an interior; (b) A support structure connected to the sleeve, the support structure consisting of at least one support element, wherein the support element is manually operable to bring the sleeve in a generally upright Øosition; and (c) A connecting means for connecting the bag to the sleeve; Wherein the sleeve is operable to funnel debris inserted in the top opening from the interior into the bag through the bottom opening; United States patent application US 6 131 759 (YOUNG) discloses a yard waste collection device for use in combination with a.yard waste collection bag, said device including a base portion and a funnel above the base portion, said funnel when installed upon the base portion flaring upwardly and outwardly from said base portion, said base portion being sized at its top so that the yard waste collection bag locates in the base portion, and can be spread over the base, the base having a sloped side wall that slopes inwardly and downwardly along its length, and said base portion have a lip near the top of the side wall, the slope of the base portion being sufficient to enable the base portions to be stacked together, the funnel having a throat which communicates with the interior of the base portion, and said funnel flaring upwardly and outwardly from its throat, the upper edge of the funnel includes Z-shaped configuration to structurally reinforce the funnel during usage.

United States patent application US 5 915 768 (YOUNG) discloses a yard waste bagging device for use with a bag, the bagging device comprising: a cylindrical member having a length at least as long as the height of the bag, and a circumference less than the circumference of the bag; the cylindrical member being formed from a one-piece, generally rectangular blank, the blank having a first edge, a second edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge, at least one slit adjacent the first edge, at least one locking member adjacent the second edge, which is slidably passable through the slit to hold the blank in the cylindrical form, and a plurality of slits adjacent the top edge; a truncated cone removably securable to the cylinder, the *:.** 30 cone being formed from a one-piece blank; the cone blank having a generally ring configuration with a segment removed therefrom, the ring having an upper outer edge, and a lower inner edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, a slit adjacent said first side edge of the cone blank, a locking member adjacent said second side edge of the cone blank and sized to be removably slidable through said first side edge slit to form said blank into said ring configuration, and a plurality of connectors eending from said ring lower inner edge, said connectors being removably slidable through the top edge slits of the cylinder to removably attach the formed cone to the formed cylinder; the locking members of the cone blank and the cylinder blank each comprise a shank and a head at the end of the shank, the head defining a triangle having a base with a length greater than the width of the shank.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of making standard bags easy to fill, maintain open and move.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a bag fill device for use with a plastic bag, in which the device comprises an elongate rigid body comprising a first distal end and a second distal end, wherein said first and second ends are open, and said body further comprises at least one raised peripheral section arranged in use for interaction with said bag.

In preferred embodiments the first and second ends are of different diameter.

Said at least one raised section may be ribs. Said at least one raised section, for example ribs may be liable to create movement in the flexible plastic, wherein said plastic is typically relatively thin and liable to catch or snag against the ribs or raised section(s).

In preferred embodiments the at least one raised section may be arranged to allow easy extraction of the device from the bag.

The invention may provide a device comprising: a tubular body capable of fitting within a plastic bag or sack, with a ribbed outer wall on the body facing and contacting the bag in use, and furthermore including a smooth inner wall for ease of *. ..

* *. addition of items to the bag's interior and wherein said body has a mouth at a first *.... 30 end. Said first end ideally includes an integrated handle.

In this way the device is arranged to assist in keeping the sack open whilst it is being filled and provide a tube through which items are loaded, so as also to minimise damage to the sack whilst packing, maintain a reasonable height for insertion, minimise requirements for fiddling with the sack or bag and ensure that the bag remains open for items. In such fashion the device is well-suited to easy insertion of items.

In use, the device is positioned within the bag, items are added to the bag via the device and once the bag is full or all waste has been added the device may be removed to leave the items within the bag.

In some embodiments the tube is dimensioned to have a diameter similar to that of the bag, having substantially parallel walls, so that it may be readily inserted and removed from a bag, or more particularly in many circumstance a bag may be pulled up around the device.

It may be envisaged that the device is provided in a plurality of diameters in order to fit a variety of bags. In use the bag fits concentrically around and outside the body wherein the second end is positioned at the bag bottom.

Preferably the tube length is similar to that of the bag length so that the bags may be filled to optimal capacity. Ideally the device is designed to protrude from the bag for easier filling and so that the aid may be readily removed even when the bag has been filled to the optimal level.

In addition in some embodiments the body may include a funnelled first end wherein the bag is in use of smaller diameter than the first end, so as to aid in filling.

Advantageously the device serves as a liner to the bag preventing the bag becoming ripped or damaged as items such as garden cuttings are added. Advantageously this enables bags to be reused therefore being better for the environment.

In preferred embodiments the tube is formed from a lightweight, strong, durable material such as synthetic plastic so as to be readily lifted and removed from the bag and to be used multiple times.

Preferably the tube inner wall is smooth so as to reduce the likelihood of items becoming stuck to the tube face. Additionally the inner wall may be glossy or polished to further reduce the likelihood of items sticking therefore enabling easy removal of the device.

Additionally in some embodiments the internal surface may be marked with -increments to guide the user to the estimated weight or certain items for example soil, rubble or cuttings. Therefore the user may use the guide to ascertain the level which the tube may be filled so that bag may be safely carried.

In preferred embodiments the tubes outer surface is ribbed so as facilitate ready removal of the device from the bag and to improve strength of the tube and body.

Preferably vertical ribs are envisaged so as to be orient as the tube is added and removed from the bag, thereby aiding this process.

In addition or the alternative at least one vertical rib may be used to snag or catch the bag as required, wherein the user may turn the device after insertion in the bag, and thereby coerce the bag into twisting around the device, caught on the at least one rib or section.

Typically the ribs are raised sections of the tube therefore the ribs are the only sections of the tube which come into contact with the bag, thereby additionally or alternatively facilitating easy removal of the tube from the bag. Ideally the ribs are chamfered further reducing the portion of the rib that may come into contact with the bag and aiding in coercive effect against the bag by acting progressively on the plastic.

In some embodiments the ribs may be horizontal or helical. In yet further embodiments the raised sections correspond to lowered sections, and the correspondence is offset or angled, for example so as to allow easy extraction.

In preferred embodiments the first end forms the opening through which items are accepted to the device and the bag. Preferably the mouth diameter is greater than : 30 that of the tube, being tapered from the mouth opening to the tube wall in order to match the tube diameter. The mouth allows items to be easily added and may in : particular accept tools such as a shovel for adding items or so as to compress items down into the tube. a...

Ideally the mouth includes at least one integrated handle to enable the aid to be readily lifted from or inserted to the bag. Preferably the handle comprises a cut out portion for example in the mouth which accepts the user's hand so as to be able to securely hold the device.

Preferably the mouth may include two opposedly located handles so to allow balanced carrying of the device. Ideally the cut out has rounded edges so as to be comfortable in use. Additionally the cut out may be lined with a resiliently deformable material such as foam or rubber for improved grip and comfort.

In some embodiments the second end may include a reinforced ring so as to provide enhanced strength. The second end's diameter may also be wider than the tube so all items easily exit the tube as the device is lifted and removed from the bag. In some embodiments the tube may be frustoconical.

Preferably the device is provided with instructions to ensure safe use.

Advantageously the instructions for use of the device are preferably embossed on the aid for longevity.

Ideally the instructions are provided on the mouth so as to be visible to the user at all times.

In some embodiments the second end may be chamfered or rounded so to enable the device to be tilted and dragged from one location to another as it may not be possible to safely lift the bag whilst the device is inserted and typically protruding from the bag. Ideally prior to lifting and moving the device may be tilted to engage the bag, and in consequence and general preferably the second end is not liable to dathage the bag.

In some further embodiments the outer surface of the device includes a means for securing the bag to the device thereby preventing it from slipping down. For example *....: 30 the outer surface may include hooks, lips or clips arranged or adapted to accept the bag, or in use an elastic band may be positioned over the bag rim in use.

In other embodiments the device may be flexible, being semi rigid so that it may be deformed to aid with removal from the bag.

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In some further embodiments the device may be provide flat and then rolled and secured in position to form the tube thereby allowing for easier stowage when not in use. Typically the device may be rolled and secured to provide different diameters in order to fit different bags without requirement to buy alternative sized devices.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the device; Figure 2 shows a view from above of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view from below of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 Figure 4 shows a side view of the of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a second side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a third side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures the body is formed of a tube having a funnelled mouth 4 so as to form a first end 3 with reinforced rim 8, and a substantially parallel walled cylinder leading to a second end, with reinforced rim 1. Ideally said second end's rim provides a pivot point in use so as to help a user remove the device from a bag, and/or enable dragging movement of the bag with device inside. In preferred embodiments the rim is funnelled centre-wise so as to help contain device contents until the contents are required to be released. 4 4t 4 4.

On the outer face of the elongate cylindrical part of the body are arranged a plurality of vertical raised sections or ribs 6, and on the inner face 5 there is provided a smooth finish. Two handles 2 are provided on cut out lacunae in the funnel mouth 4.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly! all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to! falling within the scope of the invention. * * S * . *

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