Bag Holder

The present disclosure relates to a bag holder that is configured to maintain a bag in an open position so that items can be easily deposited in the bag.

The opening or “mouth” of flexible bags has a natural tendency to close, and it is therefore difficult for a person to hold open such bags while attempting to deposit debris therein. Accordingly, depositing debris within a flexible bag is often a time-consuming and laborious task. This problem is particularly cumbersome when using a large heavy-duty bag to pick up construction debris, such as large pieces of drywall, tile, concrete, and the like. There exists a continuing need for new and improved bag holders that can quickly and easily maintain a bag in an open position.

In one embodiment, disclosed is a bag holder configured to maintain a bag in an open position, the holder comprising: a first bag holding member defining a first opening therein; a second bag holding member defining a second opening therein; wherein the first bag holding member and the second bag holding member are pivotably coupled and configured to be movable to and between open and closed positions.

Also disclosed is a method of maintaining a bag in an open position comprising providing the first and second bag holding members of the bag holder in the open position; placing an open end of the bag between the first and second bag holding members; moving the first and second bag holding members to the closed position such that at least a portion of the bag is sandwiched between the first and second bag holding members.

Also disclosed is a bag holder configured to maintain a bag in an open position, the bag holder comprising a bag holding member defining an opening therein; a plurality of clip members coupled to the bag holding member by a strand member, wherein the plurality of clip members are configured to removably engage at least a portion of the bag to the bag holding member.

Also disclosed is a method of maintaining a bag in an open position comprising coupling at least a portion of the open end of the bag over at least a portion of a bag holding member using a plurality of clip members that are coupled to the bag holding member by a strand member.

According to certain embodiments, disclosed is a bag holder configured to maintain a bag in an open position, the bag holder comprising a first bag holding member defining a first opening therein; a second bag holding member defining a second opening therein; wherein the first bag holding member and the second bag holding member are pivotably coupled and configured to be movable to and between open and closed positions. During use of the present invention, at least a portion of the bag can be sandwiched between the first and second holding members when the bag holder is in the closed position. In certain embodiments, the bag is composed of a flexible plastic material. In some cases, the bag is a 42-gallon construction trash bag.

In certain embodiments, the bag holder comprises a locking member coupled to the first bag holding member and/or second bag holding member, wherein the locking member is configured to temporarily maintain the first bag holding member and second bag holding member in the closed position. The locking member may take the form of, for example, but not limited to, a latch to achieve the intended purpose. Exemplary, non-limiting types of latches that may be used include cam/twist latches, hook latches, pull down/toggle latches, slam/push to close latches, and slide/swing bolt latches. In some cases, the locking member comprises a latch member extending from the outer side wall of the first and second holding members.

In certain embodiments, the first and second holding members have substantially the same shape, such as a square shape, a rectangular shape, or a ring shape. In a particular embodiment, the first and second holding members are substantially ring shaped. In certain embodiments, the first and second holding members have substantially the same outer and/or inner circumference.

In certain embodiments, the first and second holding members are rigid. As used herein, the term “rigid” refers to a material that is stiff and does not stretch easily or retains a shape very close to its original shape after force or pressure is applied. The first and second holding members possess sufficient rigidity to maintain their original shape and to hold the bag mouth in an open position. In some embodiments, the first and second holding members comprise a rigid foam material. The rigid foam material may comprise at least one of: polystyrene, polyurethane, or polyisocyanurate. In some cases, the polystyrene comprises expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene. In some cases, at least a portion of the first and second holding members are comprised of a plastic and/or metal material configured to retain or provide sufficient rigidity to maintain their original shape and to hold the bag mouth in an open position.

In certain embodiments, the first opening defined by the first bag holding member is axially aligned with the second opening defined by the second bag holding member when the first and second holding members are in the closed position. When in the closed position, the first bag holding member and the second bag holding member may be substantially co-axially aligned such that a longitudinal axis passes centrally though each aligned opening defined in the first and second bag holding members.

The first and second holding members, and the openings defined therein, may be of any shape, including but not limited to ring, square, or triangular. In certain embodiments, the first and second holding members are composed of at least one substantially flat surface, or at least two substantially flat surfaces. In some cases, the first and second holding members comprise a top surface, a bottom surface and inner and outer side walls extending between the top and bottom surfaces. In some cases, the top and bottom surfaces have a greater width than the width of the individual inner and outer side walls extending therebetween.

In certain embodiments, a first pivotable member is positioned on the outer and/or inner side wall of the first and/or second holding members. In some cases, the first pivotable member is further positioned on the top surface of the first holding member and the bottom surface of the second holding member. In some cases, the first pivotable member is elastic or comprises an elastic portion. In some cases, the first pivotable member comprises a pivot arm that pivots about a pivot pin.

Also disclosed is a method of maintaining a bag in an open position comprising providing the first and second bag holding members of a bag holder in the open position; placing at least a portion of an open end of the bag between the first and second bag holding members; moving the first and second bag holding members to the closed position such that at least a portion of the bag is sandwiched between at least a portion of the first and second bag holding members.

In a further illustrative embodiment, disclosed is a bag holder configured to maintain a bag in an open position, the bag holder comprising a bag holding member defining an opening therein; a plurality of clip members coupled to the bag holding member by a strand member, wherein the plurality of clip members are configured to removably engage at least a portion of the bag to at least a portion of the bag holding member. In certain embodiments, the bag holding member has a substantially square, rectangular, or ring shape. In a particular embodiment, the bag holding member has a substantially ring shape.

According to this embodiment, the bag holder comprises one or more clip members. In some cases, the bag holder comprises at least two clip members, or at least three clip members, or at least four clip members. The clip members are constructed and arranged to temporarily secure at least a portion of a bag to at least a portion of the bag holding member. In some cases, one or more of the clip members comprise a spring clip, a tension clip, a tubing clamp, a compression ring, a C-clip, or the like. One or more of the clip members may comprise a plastic and/or metal material.

The clip members are coupled to the bag holding member by a strand member attached, optionally removably attached, to the bag holding member. In some cases, the bag holding member comprises at least one aperture which the strand member passes through such that a portion of the strand extends along both the inner and outer surfaces of the bag holding member to provide an adjustable coupling arrangement with the clip member. In some cases, the strand member comprises a flexible material, such as a bungee type of cord, that can easily stretch when subjected to tension and return to its original position in a non-tensioned state.

The disclosed bag holders are readily understood when read in conjunction with illustrative. It should be noted that the bag holders are not limited to any of the illustrative embodiments shown in the figures, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the disclosure provided herein.

is a front top perspective view of an illustrative bag holderconfigured to maintain a bag (not shown) in an open position, wherein the first bag holding memberand second bag holding memberare in the closed position. Bag holdercomprises first bag holding memberdefining a first openingtherein and second bag holding memberdefining a second openingtherein. First bag holding memberand second bag holding memberare pivotably coupledand configured to be movable to and between open and closed positions. Bag holdercomprises locking membercoupled to first bag holding memberand/or second bag holding member, wherein locking memberis configured to temporarily maintain first bag holding memberand second bag holding memberin the closed position. First holding memberhas top surface, bottom surface (not shown) and innerand outerside walls extending between topand bottom (not shown) surfaces. Second holding memberhas top surface (not shown), bottom surface (not shown) and innerand outerside walls extending between top (not shown) and bottom (not shown) surfaces.

is a front top perspective view of an illustrative bag holderconfigured to maintain a bag (not shown) in an open position, wherein first bag holding memberand second bag holding memberare in an open position. Bag holdercomprises first bag holding memberdefining a first openingtherein and second bag holding memberdefining a second openingtherein. First bag holding memberand second bag holding memberare pivotably coupledand configured to be movable to and between open and closed positions. Bag holdercomprises locking membercoupled to first bag holding memberand/or second bag holding member, wherein locking memberis configured to temporarily maintain first bag holding memberand second bag holding memberin the closed position. First holding memberhas top surface, bottom surface (not shown) and innerand outerside walls extending between topand bottom (not shown) surfaces. Second holding memberhas top surface (not shown), bottom surface (not shown) and innerand outerside walls extending between top (not shown) and bottom (not shown) surfaces.

is a front top perspective view of an illustrative bag holderconfigured to maintain a bagin an open position, wherein at least a portion of bagis sandwiched between first holding memberand second holding memberwhen first and second,holding members are in the closed position. Bag holdercomprises first bag holding memberdefining a first opening therein and second bag holding memberdefining a second openingtherein. First bag holding memberand second bag holding memberare pivotably coupledand configured to be movable to and between open and closed positions. Bag holdercomprises locking membercoupled to first bag holding memberand/or second bag holding member, wherein locking memberis configured to temporarily maintain first bag holding memberand second bag holding memberin the closed position.

is a top perspective view of an illustrative bag holderconfigured to maintain a bag (not shown) in an open position, wherein bag holdercomprises bag holding memberdefining an openingtherein; and plurality of clip memberscoupled to bag holding memberby flexible strand member, wherein plurality of clip membersare configured to removably secure at least a portion of a bag (not shown) to bag holding member.

is a top perspective view of an illustrative bag holdershowing plurality of clip membersremovably engaging at least a portion of bagto bag holding member. Bag holdercomprises bag holding memberdefining an openingtherein; and plurality of clip memberscoupled to bag holding memberby flexible strand member, wherein plurality of clip membersare configured to removably engage at least a portion of bagto bag holding member.

is a top perspective view of a person holding bag holding memberwith first handand inserting debrisinto open bagwith second hand. Bag holdercomprises bag holding memberdefining an openingtherein; and plurality of clip memberscoupled to bag holding memberby flexible strand member, wherein plurality of clip membersare configured to removably engage at least a portion of bagto bag holding member.

While bag holders configured to maintain a bag in an open position, and methods of maintaining a bag in an open position have been disclosed according to certain embodiments, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments for performing the same function. Furthermore, the various illustrative embodiments may be combined to produce the desired results. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be limited to any single embodiment.

As used in this specification, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “contains,” “containing,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” or “having,” are all open-ended expressions and are intended to cover apparatus, compositions, methods, processes, products, or systems that comprise a recited list of components, elements, and features, and any and all additional components, elements and features that are not expressly recited. The terms “includes,” “including,” “has,” or “having” are not intended to have a more narrow construction, interpretation, or meaning than the terms “comprises” or “comprising.”

In the present disclosure, the term “substantially” refers to a degree of deviation that is sufficiently small so as to not measurably detract from the identified property or function or circumstance and/or refer to slight variations within normal manufacturing tolerances.

As used in the present specification, the term “or” refers to an inclusive “or” and not to an exclusive “or”. For example, the phrase “A or B” is satisfied by any one of the following: A is present and B is not present, A is not present and B is present, and both A and B are present.

As used in the present specification, “a” or “an” is employed to describe components, elements, features and method/process steps of various illustrative embodiments disclosed herein. The use of “a” or “an” should be interpreted to include one or more than one.

As used in the present specification, any of the terms “illustratively,” “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically” are not intended to, and do not, limit the scope of the claimed embodiments, or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, important, or required to the structure or function of the claimed composition, beverage product or methods. Rather, these terms are merely intended to identify particular aspects of an embodiment or to emphasize alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment.