Garbage bag support

Abstract

A device for holding a mouth of a plastic bag in an open position is molded of a plastic material that includes a finger hole and locking slot for retaining the bag within the device. The locking slot includes a directing member for maintaining a free end of a bag tail in the locking slot. This arrangement preferably is molded as a one piece product and has been found to be adaptable to bags of different capacities and materials. In a preferred embodiment, two finger holes are provided with each finger hole having a locking slot and directing member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garbage bag having the bag holder maintain the mouth of the garbage bag open;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the holder and a retained bag;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the bag holder;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the bag holder;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the relationship of a finger hole and a locking slot and retaining member;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the locking slot, the finger hole and the retaining tab with a bag in engagement therewith; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment.

Claims

1. A device for holding a mouth of plastic bag in an open position comprising a tubular body having an upper edge and a lower edge with a center port extending between said upper and lower edges; said tubular body between said upper and lower edges including at least one finger hole for receiving a tail portion of the plastic bag created by inserting an edge portion of the plastic bag through the respective finger hole; each finger hole including an associated locking slot positioned to receive the respect tail portion and retain said tail portion in said locking slot opposing any tension force exerted on said tail portion due to material retained in the plastic bag; and wherein each locking slot includes a directing member positioned to maintain a locking orientation of a free end of the respective tail portion relative to said locking slot whereby the plastic bag maintains securement in said device until released.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each directing member is a cantilevered tab secured at one side of said locking slot and extending across said locking slot and defining a gap therebetween.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each cantilevered tab has an upper edge above an upper edge of said locking slot.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein each cantilevered tab includes a free end generally parallel to said locking slot with a cam edge for slide inserting of the tail portion under said cantilevered tab.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein each locking slot is provided in said lower edge of said tubular body and said directing member is provided on an exterior surface of said tubular body.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said device is a one piece molded product.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said tubular body includes a straight side joined by an arcuate portion to form a generally ‘D’ shape.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said straight side at said upper edge includes an outwardly extending tapered edge for sweeping of material into said plastic waste bag.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said arcuate portion of said upper edge includes an outwardly projecting curved flange.

10. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said locking slot and said tab member are formed in an inwardly offset region of said tubular body.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said tab is generally flush with the exterior of the tubular body either side of said tab.

12. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said lower edge of said tubular body includes two reset areas defining molded hand grips.

13. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said upper edge of said tubular body progressively widens to provide a funnel like transition with said tubular body.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said finger holes are provided on opposite sides of said tubular body.

15. A device for holding a mouth of plastic waste bag in an open position comprising a tubular body having an upper edge and a lower edge with a center port extending between said upper and lower edges; said tubular body between said upper and lower edges including at least two finger holes for receiving a tail portion of the plastic waste bag created by inserting an edge portion of the waste bag through the respective finger hole; each finger hole including an associated locking slot positioned to receive the respect tail portion and retain said tail portion in said locking slot opposing any tension force exerted on said tail portion due to material retained in said bag; and wherein each locking slot includes a directing member positioned to maintain a locking orientation of a free end of the respective tail portion relative to said locking slot whereby the waste bag maintains secured in said device during the use of the plastic waste bag.

16. A receptacle for holding a mouth of plastic bag in an open position comprising a tubular body having an upper edge and a lower edge with a center cavity for receiving and retaining the plastic bag in the open position; said tubular body adjacent said upper edge including at least one bag restraining structure comprising a finger hole for receiving a tail portion of the plastic bag created by inserting an edge portion of the plastic bag through the respective finger hole after the plastic bag has been placed over said upper edge; each finger hole including an associated locking slot positioned to receive the respect tail portion and retain said tail portion in said locking slot opposing any tension force exerted on said tail portion due to material retained in the plastic bag; and wherein each locking slot includes a directing member positioned to maintain a locking orientation of a free end of the respective tail portion relative to said locking slot whereby the plastic bag maintains securement in said receptacle until released.

17. A receptacle as claimed in claim 16 wherein each directing member is a cantilevered tab secured at one side of said locking slot and extending across said locking slot and defining a gap therebetween.

18. A receptacle as claimed in claim 17 wherein each cantilevered tab has an upper edge above an upper edge of said locking slot.

19. A receptacle as claimed in claim 16 wherein said receptacle includes two bag restraining structures and each bag restraining structure is provided in an exterior handle portion of said receptacle.

20. A receptacle as claimed in claim 16 wherein each bag restraining structure is integral with said receptacle.