WO2009000044A1

WO2009000044A1 - A flexible bag holding device

Info

Publication number: WO2009000044A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000939
Authority: WO
Inventors: Trevor Batmols; Kevin Lloyd Hull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2008-06-26
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2009-12-27
Also published as: US20100252694A1

Abstract

A flexible bag holding device comprising attachment means for attaching the flexible bag holding device to a support, a frame member about which the upper end of a bag can be placed to hold the bag open, and bag retention means on the frame member adapted to retain the bag in place on the frame member when the flexible bag holding device is in use.

Description

A Flexible Bag Holding Device

Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to a flexible bag holding device. In particular, the present invention relates to a portable flexible bag holding device for indoor or outdoor applications, and which can reuse plastic shopping bags, rubbish bags etc, especially of the type having handles

Background Art In many outdoors pursuits, such as when camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and so on, waste may be generated. This waste must be disposed of in a way that is friendly to the environment. However, when camping, hiking and the like, it is not always practical to carry a domestic bin or trash can (hereinafter collectively referred to as "bins") in which to dispose of waste.

Similarly, in some indoors applications, such as sheds or garages, a device such as a bin to dispose of waste, or in which to store items, may be desirable. However, in many instances it may be impractical to store a conventional domestic bin in a shed or garage, such as when limited space is available.

In the applications described above, a common solution to the problem is to simply hang a plastic bag from a hook, door handle, tree branch, post or the like and place waste into the bag. There are a number of drawbacks with this technique. For instance, as the plastic bag is not covered or sealed in any way, any unpleasant odours are not contained within the bag. In addition, placing food scraps in a bag stored in this manner can attract unwanted attention from animals, birds or insects. Furthermore, when a bag is simply hung from a hook, post, tree branch or the like, adding new waste to the bag is a two-handed process, as it is necessary to hold the bag open while putting waste into the bag. Depending on the sort of waste in the bag, having to touch the bag in this way may be unpleasant or even unhealthy.

It is very well-known to use plastic bags and even to reuse plastic shopping bags by lining an existing kitchen bin or something similar with these bags. These kitchen bins are generally not suitable for camping applications because they are rather large and bulky. Also, the plastic bags are some times the wrong size for the bins.

It is also known to provide devices that can support and hold open large canvas or cloth bags which are usually used as laundry bags. These devices contain a framework and some form of ring which extends outwardly from the framework. The bag mouth extends about the ring and is then clamped to the ring using a separate clamp. These devices are not particularly suited for outdoor use or even indoor use and with plastic shopping bags and removal of the bag requires the separate clamp to be released and stored somewhere while the bag is removed and the process is reversed when another bag is attached.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a relatively simple and easy-to-use flexible bag holding device which could hold a plastic shopping bag (for example) in an open position and could hold the bag in such a manner that the bag is not easily fall off the holding device but at the same time allowing the bag to be quite quickly and easily attached and removed from the holding device without requiring any fiddly or clumsy separate clamps etc.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents shall be taken to have an inclusive meaning unless the context of use indicates otherwise.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible bag holding device which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a flexible bag holding device comprising attachment means for attaching the flexible bag holding device to a support, a frame member about which the upper end of a bag can be placed to hold the bag open, and bag retention means on the frame member adapted to retain the bag in place on the frame member when the flexible bag holding device is in use.

In this manner, a flexible bag (for instance a shopping bag) can be quickly attached to the holding device without requiring any separate clamps etc to do so and can also be quickly removed when the bag is full and needs to be disposed of.

Any suitable type of flexible bag may be used in conjunction with the flexible bag holding device, such as bags made from plastic, paper or any other suitable material. Preferably, the bags used with the flexible bag holding device may be of the sort comprising a pair of handles, such as those provided at retail outlets such as supermarkets, although any sort of bag comprising a pair of handles may be suitably used with the flexible bag holding device. Alternatively, any type of bag comprising an uneven upper lip, such as bags with a wave-shaped upper lip and the like, may also be suitably used with the flexible bag holding device. In some embodiments of the invention, bags with even upper lips may also be used with the flexible bag holding device.

The attachment means may comprise any suitable form, such as one or more hooks, clamps or the like. However, in some embodiments of the invention, the attachment means may comprise a bracket. The bracket may be provided with one or more holes allowing the flexible bag holding device to be nailed, screwed, riveted or otherwise attached to a support. In embodiments of the invention in which the flexible bag holding device is designed to be installed only temporarily, such as when camping, the attachment means may be adapted to allow the flexible bag holding device to be attached to a support using a U-clamp or similar device. In embodiments of the invention in which a bracket is used, the bracket may be shaped so as to allow a more secure engagement with the support.

In some other embodiments of the present invention, the attachment means of the flexible bag holding device may be adapted to engage with mountings means located on a support member. The attachment means may engage with the mounting means using any suitable technique, such as, but not limited to, sliding engagement, press engagement and the like. The mounting means may be of any suitable form. In some embodiments of the invention the mounting means may comprise a bracket.

The support to which the flexible bag holding device may be attached may be of any suitable form. In embodiments of the invention in which the flexible bag holding device is to be attached to a support only temporarily, the support may comprise a post, tree, fence or any other suitable surface. If the flexible bag holding device is to be attached to a support in a more permanent manner, such as in a garage or shed, the support may comprise a bench, door, wall, wall stud and the like. In some embodiments of the invention, the flexible bag holding device may be adapted to be attached to a substantially vertical support. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention the flexible bag holding device may be adapted to be attached to horizontal or angled supports.

In use, the upper end of a bag may be placed around the frame member to hold the bag open. The frame member may be of any suitable shape and size. In some embodiments of the invention, the frame member may comprise a hollow circular, square or rectangular member when viewed from above or below. In use, a bag may be passed through the hollow centre of the frame member in such a way that the open top of the bag faces upwards. The bag may then be opened out and the open top of the bag may be located on the frame member by folding the open top of the bag over an upper rim of the frame member. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the frame member are such that most common varieties of bag may be held open on the upper rim of the frame member.

The bag retention means may comprise any suitable means for retaining the bag in place in the flexible bag holding device, such as, but not limited to, one or more clips, hooks, clamps and the like. Preferably, the bag retention means is associated with, connected to, or formed integrally with the frame member. In some embodiments of the invention, the bag retention means may comprise a set of one or more projections around which the upper edge or the handles of a bag may be hooked. Preferably, the set of one or more projections extends from the frame member. While it is not crucial as to the direction in which the set of one or more projections extends, in some embodiments of the invention, the set of one or more projections extends downwardly from the frame member.

In embodiments of the invention in which the bags to be used have handles, the bag retention means may comprise more than one set of projections located at intervals around the frame member. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the bag retention means comprises two sets of projections located opposite one another on the frame member. In this form of the invention, the handles of the bag may be hooked under or around the downwardly extending projections, thus preventing the bag from falling off the frame member. Furthermore, as additional weight is placed in the bag, the handles of the bag will draw more tightly against the bag retention means, ensuring that the bag is even more securely retained on the frame member.

The bag retention means may be adapted to assist in removing the bag from the portable bin when full. This may be achieved in any suitable way.' However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bag retention means comprises one or more finger slots, holes, grooves and the like for assisting the user in removing the bag from the bag retention means. The slots may be of any suitable shape, such as, but not limited to, U-shaped, V-shaped or in the shape of keyholes. In some embodiments of the invention, the shape of the slots may not only be used as finger slots to assist in removing the bag from the bag retention means, but may also be used to assist inretaining the bag in place. For instance, an upper lip of the bag may be tied in a knot and wedged into a V-shaped or keyhole-shaped slot in order to retain the bag in place in the flexible bag holding device.

The flexible bag holding device may further comprise a lid. The lid may be of any suitable form, however it is preferred that the lid is of a similar shape and size to the frame member so as to be able to seal the top of the bin when the Hd is closed. The lid may be attached using any conventional method. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid is attached to the portable bin using a hinge arrangement. The flexible bag holding device may be constructed of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal or fiberglass. However, for simplicity and cost of production, as well as durability, it is preferred that the flexible bag holding device is made from plastic. The flexible bag holding device may be manufactured using any known method, such as moulding. The flexible bag holding device may comprise a number of individual parts joined together, although in a preferred embodiment the flexible bag holding device comprises a single moulded piece of plastic.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a flexible bag holding device comprising attachment means for attaching the flexible bag holding device to a support, a frame member and bag retention means adapted to retain the bag in place on the frame member when the flexible bag holding device is in use.

Brief Description of the Drawings. An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a plan view from above of the flexible bag holding device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation of the flexible bag holding device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates the flexible bag holding device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from below; Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the flexible bag holding device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates a plan view from above of the flexible bag holding device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a side elevation of the flexible bag holding device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention when in use; Figure 7 illustrates a side elevation of the flexible bag holding device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 illustrates a side elevation of the flexible bag holding device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Drawings.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings there is illustrated a plan view of a flexible bag holding device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The portable bin comprises attachment means 11 in the form of a bracket and a circular frame member 12. The attachment means 11 comprises an indentation 13 which allows the flexible bag holding device 10 to be more securely attached to a support (not shown) such as a pole, fence, tree etc. In use, the closed end of a bag (not shown) is passed through the frame member 12 and the edges of the open end of the bag (not shown) are folded over the upper rim 14 of the frame member 12.

The flexible bag holding device 10 further comprises hinge posts 15 for enabling a Hd (not shown) to be connected to the flexible bag holding device 10.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the flexible bag holding device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The flexible bag holding device 10 comprises bag retention means 16 in the form of a pair of projections extending downwardly from the frame member 12. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 2, the open top of a bag (not shown) maybe folded over the upper rim 14 of the frame member 12 and the handles of the bag (not shown) may be hooked under and around the bag retention means 16. Thus, the bag is retained in place in the flexible bag holding device 10. When additional weight is placed into the bag (not shown), the handles of the bag (not shown) will be drawn more tightly against the bag retention means 16, thereby securing the bag (not shown) even more firmly to the flexible bag holding device 10.

The bag retention means 16 further comprises a slot 17 for allowing the user to insert a finger through the bag retention means 16. The user may then slide the handle of the bag (not shown) hooked under the bag retention means 16 downwards until it is free of the bag retention means 16. In this way, a bag (not shown) may be removed from the flexible bag holding device 10.

This provides a very easy yet effective mechanism to enable the bag to be securely attached (with little likelihood of the bag falling off the device) yet enables the bag to be removed very easily without needing to fiddle with any part of the bag. Instead, a person's finger can be placed in the slot to very easily removed the bag handles and therefore the bag from the device.

The flexible bag holding device 10 illustrated in Figure 2 comprises a pair of hinge posts 15 extending upwardly from a region 18 of the flexible bag holding device 10 intermediate the attachment means 11 and the frame member 12.

Turning now to Figure 3 of the drawings there is illustrated a view of the flexible bag holding device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from below. In this embodiment of the invention the flexible bag holding device 10 is connected to a support 19 in the form of a post. The support 19 is received in the indentation 13 in the attachment means 11 and the flexible bag holding device 10 may then be secured in place using a U-bolt (not shown), strap (not shown) or any other suitable means.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 3, it can be seen that the flexible bag holding device 10 comprises a pair of slots 17 associated with the bag retention means (not shown) located opposite one another on the frame member 12.

In Figure 4 a rear view of the flexible bag holding device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The attachment means 11 of this embodiment of the invention comprise a bracket 20 including a number of apertures 21 through which a U-bolt (not shown), strap (not shown), screws (not shown), nails .(not shown) and other similar fastening devices may pass in order to attach the flexible bag holding device 10 to a support (not shown).

Figure 5 illustrates a plan view from above of the flexible bag holding device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure there is illustrated a method of attaching the flexible bag holding device 10 to a support (not shown) using a U-bolt 25. The legs of the U-bolt 25 pass through the apertures 21 of the attachment means 1 1 , and nuts (not shown) or the like are threaded on the legs of the U-bolt 25. In this way, the flexible bag holding device 10 may be retained on a support (not shown) when in use.

In Figure 6 there is shown a flexible bag holding device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention when in use. A flexible bag 22 is pushed through the frame member 12 and the upper edge 23 of the flexible bag 22 is folded over the upper rim (not shown) of the frame member 12. The handles 24 of the flexible bag 22 are hooked underneath the bag retention means 18. As the weight of material in the flexible bag 22 increases the handles 24 are pulled more tightly against the back of the bag retention means 18 ensuring that the handles 24 cannot slip off or pull loose from the flexible bag holding device 10. When the flexible bag 22 is full or needs to be removed from the flexible bag holding device 10 for some other reason, a user may put their fingers into a slot 17 in the bag retention means 18 and pull the handles 24 of the flexible bag 22 downwards until the handle is unhooked from the bag retention means 18. In this way, the flexible bag 22 may be removed from the flexible bag holding device 10.

Turning now to Figures 7 and 8 there is shown a flexible bag holding device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flexible bag holding device comprises attachment means 11, a frame member 12, bag retention means 16 and a lid 26. The lid 26 is adapted for connection to the flexible bag holding device 10 through engagement with a pair of hinge posts 15 extending upwardly from a region 18 intermediate the attachment means 11 and the frame member 12. Thus, the lid may be opened (Figure 7) and shut (Figure 8) by pivoting the lid 26 around the hinged posts 15. When closed, the lid sits snugly over the upper rim 14 of the frame member 12, thereby preventing unpleasant odours from escaping from the bag (not shown) held by the flexible bag holding device 10, while also stopping animals, insects etc from gaining access to the contents of the bag (not shown).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

Claims.

1. A flexible bag holding device comprising attachment means for attaching the flexible bag holding device to a support, a frame member about which the upper end of a bag can be placed to hold the bag open, and bag retention means on the frame member adapted to retain the bag in place on the frame member when the flexible bag holding device is in use.