TRASHCAN ASSEMBLY INCLUDING BAG ENGAGING PORTION

• US 20080011910A1
• Filed: 07/17/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pressix Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pressix Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Ramsey, Franklin
• Granted Patent: US 8,061,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/100
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/06 with flexible inserts, e.g. bags or sacks B65F1/0073 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/062 having means for storing or dispensing spare bags

Abstract

A trashcan includes a trash bag that has a top end that defines a mouth and a body having a surrounding wall and a top edge that defines a mouth. A bag engaging portion is formed in the surrounding wall proximate the top edge of the body. The bag engaging portion is at least substantially aligned with a surface of said surrounding wall. A portion of the trash bag is inserted through the bag engaging portion of the body. The bag engaging portion includes a plurality of at least four fingers extending away from a center of the bag engaging portion, and the fingers do not include pointed ends all converging toward a common point.

Claims

1. A method of making a trashcan assembly configured for receiving a trash bag, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, a rim of said peripheral wall defining an opening into said container;

(b) forming a bag engaging portion in an area of said peripheral wall, said bag engaging portion being at least substantially aligned with a surface of said peripheral wall and including an arrangement of slots, said arrangement being configured for receiving a portion of said bag and securing said bag to said peripheral wall;

(c) wherein the arrangement of slots includes a plurality of slots extending away from a center of said arrangement of slots, the slots define a plurality of at least four fingers between adjacent ones of the slots, and the fingers do not include pointed ends all converging toward a common point,

whereby a trash bag may be extended over said rim and secured to said peripheral wall by insertion of a portion of the trash bag through the arrangement of slots.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the arrangement of slots forms a star configuration.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the arrangement of slots is formed prior to a consumer purchasing the container.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the arrangement of slots is formed by a consumer after the consumer purchases the container.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the center comprises a circular aperture centrally located relative to the slots, each slot extending in a generally radial direction relative to the circular aperture.

6. A trashcan assembly, comprising:

(a) a trash bag that has a top end that defines a mouth; and

(b) a body having a surrounding wall and a top edge that defines a mouth, and a bag engaging portion formed in the surrounding wall proximate the top edge of the body;

(c) wherein said bag engaging portion is at least substantially aligned with a surface of said surrounding wall;

(d) wherein a portion of the trash bag is inserted through the bag engaging portion of the body; and

(e) wherein,

(i) the bag engaging portion includes a plurality of at least four fingers extending away from a center of the bag engaging portion, and

(ii) said fingers do not include pointed ends all converging toward a common point.

7. The trashcan assembly of claim 6, wherein said fingers bend inward upon insertion of a portion of a trash bag.

8. The trashcan assembly of claim 6, wherein said container is formed of a resilient, semi-flexible plastic.

9. The trashcan assembly of claim 6, wherein said trash bag extends from an interior of said body over said top edge of said body and a portion of said trash bag extends through a central aperture of said bag engaging portion and is disposed in frictional engagement with one or more of said fingers such that said trash bag is secured from slipping through said mouth of said body when trash is received within said trash bag.

10. The trashcan assembly of claim 9, wherein only said portion of said trash bag extends through said aperture for securing said trash bag from slipping into said container.

11. A method of securing a trash bag to the mouth of a trashcan, comprising:

(a) providing a trashcan having a body having a surrounding wall and a top edge that defines a mouth, and a bag engaging portion formed in the surrounding wall proximate the top edge of the body, wherein the bag engaging portion is at least substantially aligned with a surface of the surrounding wall;

(b) positioning a trash bag so as to line the trashcan; and

(c) inserting a portion of the trash bag through the bag engaging portion in order to secure the trash bag in lining disposition relative to the trashcan;

(d) wherein the bag engaging portion includes a plurality of at least four fingers extending away from a center of the bag engaging portion, and the fingers do not include pointed ends all converging toward a common point.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of inserting the portion of the trash bag through the bag engaging portion comprises inserting the portion of the trash bag from an exterior of the trashcan, through the bag engaging portion, into the interior of the trashcan.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said trash bag extends from an interior of said trashcan over said top edge and a portion of said trash bag extends through a central aperture of the bag engaging portion and is disposed in frictional engagement with at least one of said fingers such that said trash bag is secured from slipping into said trashcan when trash is received within said trash bag.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein only said portion of said trash bag extends through said aperture for securing said trash bag from slipping into said trashcan.