Supports – Bag holders – Mouth holding frames
Patent
1999-02-18
2000-12-05
Ramirez, Ramon O.
Supports
Bag holders
Mouth holding frames
220404, 383 33, B65B 6704
Patent
active
061555215
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a device for holding a bag and in particular to such a device for retaining a bag in a usable state as a receptacle.
It is commonplace for supermarkets and the like to provide their customers with bags, usually made from plastics materials, into which purchases are packed. Once the contents have been unpacked, the bags are typically disposed of to waste, and usually this involves placing the bags into a larger, plastics refuse sack which is eventually removed to a public dump. Such bags usually have two handles and are often referred to as "vest" bags.
A known device for holding a bag comprises a housing which has a rear hook element by means of which the housing can be suspended from a cupboard door or the like. The housing projects forwardly and has mounting hooks for receiving the handles of a supermarket bag so as to suspend the bag from the hooks. The device also has a lid for covering the mouth of the suspended bag. This device is relatively bulky and occupies a fixed width from the door.
This invention seeks to reduce amounts of plastics waste by recycling plastic bags as receptacles for waste, thus reducing the need for refuse sacks. The invention further seeks to provide an environmentally-friendly re-use for used plastic bags in a manner which is convenient for the user.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a bag holder device, the device comprising a body having means for retaining the handles of a two-handled bag in a position spaced-apart from one another to suspend the bag from the body and means for engaging a mouth-region of the bag located between the handles so as to hold the mouth in an open state, characterised in that the means for engaging the mouth-region of the bag comprise an expander element which is pivotable relative to the body between a compact, storage state in which the expander element is folded substantially parallel to the flat body and a usable state in which the expander element lies angled away from the body so as to engage the interior of the bag suspended.
Conveniently, the body includes fixing means for connecting the body to a support surface. Preferably, the fixing means comprises means for removably attaching the body to the support surface. In one arrangement, the fixing means comprises a hook element which can be clipped over a door, rail or other surface. Supplementary fixing means may optionally be provided to enable the body to be non-removably connected to the support surface. Alternatively, the body may be connected non-removably to the support surface. In yet another arrangement, the body may be free standing by means of the inclusion in the body of a ground-engaging foot. In any event, it is preferred that spacer means be provided to space the body apart from a support surface from which the bag holder is suspended or to which it is fixed.
Advantageously, the retaining means includes a pair of open-ended slots or tracks formed in the upper edge of the body. In use, one handle of the bag is retained in each slot or track and the handle rests in the base of the slot or track, thereby being prevented from slipping off the body.
The expander element comprises a substantially rigid material shaped and sized to ensure that the mouth of the bag is retained sufficiently widely open so that easy access to the interior of the bag is available. The presence of any sharp edges on the expander element should be avoided, if these are likely to pierce or tear the bag. Stops may be provided on the body to prevent the expander from slipping downwards into the bag.
Advantageously, the device is fabricated from a material which has a surface which can be wiped clean or washed. Plastics material is particularly suitable as it is light and washable, but any other suitable materials, including metal, wood and so on, may also be selected and, where appropriate, may be provided with a surface coating to render it washable. It is particularly suited for use with vest bags, as described above, which bags are commonly supplied to customers b
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Le Tan
Ramirez Ramon O.
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