Receptacles – Flaccid wall material permanently united with a skeletal... – Collapsible or foldable framework
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-03
2001-11-13
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Flaccid wall material permanently united with a skeletal...
Collapsible or foldable framework
C220S006000, C220S904000, C220S908000, C248S095000, C383S104000, C383S119000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315143
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disposable standing trash bag that can be provided flat for storage, readily set up for use and collapsed after use, if desired, or thrown away.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Washing or scrubbing a trash can is a disagreeable task. Disposable trash bags have been developed for use as trash receptacles. These bags, however, must be used as a liner for a regular trash can or with a frame for supporting the bag as plastic trash bags do not have enough sidewall strength to set upon a floor in the open position and paper trash bags are normally folded as they reach the user and tend to return to the folded position when open. When a trash bag is filled with trash and is pulled out of a trash can or frame, the bag may break, spilling the trash into the can or onto the floor. This event necessitates washing and scrubbing, which the bag was intended to avoid. There are also internal frames that fit into a trash bag for supporting the bag. As waste is placed in the bag, the frame may be soiled, proper sanitation of which requires washing and scrubbing when the frame is withdrawn. U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,767 to Cardulla describes a disposable trash bag with an internal frame that is folded flat before it is used. Once set up, however, the frame is not readily collapsed, hence the bag is for single use only.
In view of the above, it would be desirable to have a disposable standing trash bag which can be thrown away, frame and all, thus eliminating the need for the user to wash anything. Ideally the bag would be collapsible so that it folds flat for shipment but easily sets up when needed. If a user wants to reuse the bag, it would also collapse after it has been emptied.
Sometimes a user needs an extra trash can, for waste or for storage of winter clothing, toys, etc. or for transport of laundry, etc. A disposable standing trash bag would also serve this need, particularly if it is reusable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable standing trash bag that folds flat for storage or reuse. It is another object to provide a disposable standing trash bag that can be made cheaply enough that a user can afford to throw the entire unit away. Other objects and features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
In accordance with the invention, a disposable standing trash bag includes a flexible container in combination with a foldable frame. The flexible container has an open top, a closed bottom and an encircling sidewall. The frame has at least one pair of vertically stacked, upper and a lower horizontal hoops, each of which has a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the encircling sidewall. The frame also includes a plurality of spaced apart vertical supports, each vertical support has a rib with a first end portion pivotally connected at a first pivot to the upper of the horizontal hoops and a second end portion that is free. A strut with a first end portion is pivotally connected at a second pivot to the lower of the horizontal hoops and a second end portion of the strut is pivotally connected to said rib at a third pivot spaced inwardly from said second end portion of the rib.
A slider is provided on the rib that is slidable over the second pivot under force of gravity when the rib is in vertical alignment with the strut until stopped by a stop on either the rib or the strut. The stop prevents the slider from sliding past the second end portion of the rib.
In use, the slider restrains the strut and rib from pivoting at the third pivot when said rib is in vertical alignment with the strut and the trash bag is in upright position. When the disposable standing trash bag is turned upside down and shaken, the slider releases the strut and rib as the slider slides back over the third pivot so that the strut and rib can pivot at the third pivot and the trash bag can be folded into collapsed position for storage.
The invention summarized above comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated by the subjoined claims.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 6089394 (2000-07-01), Ziglar
patent: 6102569 (2000-08-01), Wang
Fishel Grace J.
Merek Joseph C.
Shoap Allan N.
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