Trash bag bracket

• US 4,735,340 A
• Filed: 12/19/1986
• Issued: 04/05/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John H. Preston
• Original Assignee: John H. Preston
• Inventors: Preston, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOY, JOSEPH MAN
• Application Number:
  US06/944,460
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 220/404, 220/1 T, 220/403, 220/461, 248/95, 248/99, 248/100
• US Class Current: 220/495.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/06 with flexible inserts, e.g. bags or sacks B65F1/0073 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2001/061 the flexible inserts being used shopping bags
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/908 Trash container

Abstract

This invention relates to a bracket for retaining and supporting limp plastic bags as liners in a trash receptacle. The bracket includes leg means for clamping onto the upper rim of the trash receptacle and includes two or more projections, upwardly extending, to engage openings within said limp flexible plastic liner for holding and retaining said liner in the trash receptacle.

Claims

1. A bracket for holding a limp plastic sack having at least two openings adjacent the top rim of said sack and a body portion, in place in a trash receptacle, said bracket comprising:

(a) a body portion adapted to rest on the top rim of said trash receptacle;

(b) first and second spaced outside legs, extending downwardly from said body portion, adapted to contact one side of one wall of said trash receptacle when said body portion rests on the top rim of said trash receptacle;

(c) an inside leg, extending generally downwardly from said body portion and interposed between said first and second outside legs and adapted to contact the other side of said one wall of said trash receptacle when said body portion rests on the top rim of said trash receptacle; and

(d) at least two projections extending upwardly from said body portion for engagng one of said openings in said sack for supporting said sack in said trash receptacle.

2. A bracket as set forth in claim 1, wherein said inside leg comprises a ledge portion which extends from said body portion of said bracket at an angle to said body portion and includes a downwardly extending portion in a plane which intersects the plane of said outside legs.

3. A bracket as set forth in claim 2, wherein said ledge portion of said inside leg extends from said body portion at a ninety degree angle.

4. A bracket as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bracket is composed of a resilient material which causes the middle legs and the inside leg to clamp the wall of the trash receptacle when the body of said bracket is in position on the upper rim of the trash receptacle.

5. A bracket as set forth in claim 4, wherein said bracket is composed of a resilient metal material.

6. A bracket as set forth in claim 4, wherein said bracket is composed of a resilient plastic material.

7. An improved trash receptacle comprising:

(a) an outer container for structurally supporting and enclosing a liner positioned therein, said receptacle comprising wall means and an upper rim defining an opening for receipt of trash or other refuge;

(b) a flexible, limp, plastic inner liner, operably positioned within said outer receptacle for receiving material to be disposed of therein, said limp, flexible, plastic liner being formed from a limp, flexible, extendable plastic film material constructed and arranged to form a deformable enclosing envelope; and

(c) at least a pair of brackets for removably supporting said limp, flexible, plastic liner within said outer receptacle, each of which are clamped onto said upper rim of said receptacle in spaced positions and having means for retaining the upper rim of said limp, flexible, plastic liner adjacent the upper rim of said outer receptacle, whereby said limp flexible plastic liner is retained in place and in an open condition for receipt of refuge disposed of in said receptacle;

(d) each of said brackets comprising a body portion adapted to rest on the top rim of said receptacle, outside leg means extending downwardly from said body portion in contact with one side of one wall of said receptacle an inside leg extending downwardly from said body portion, between said outside leg means in contact with the other side of said one wall of said receptacle; and

(e) at least two projections extending upwardly from said body portion for engaging an opening in said limp, flexible liner for supporting said liner in said receptacle.

8. An improved trash receptacle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said inside leg comprises a ledge portion which extends from said body portion of said bracket at an angle to said body portion and includes a downwardly extending portion plane which intersects the plane of said outside legs.

9. An improved trash receptacle as set forth in claim 8, wherein said ledge portion of said inside leg extends from said body portion at a ninety degree angle.

10. An improved trash receptacle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said bracket is composed of a resilient material which causes the outside leg means and the inside leg to clamp the wall of the trash receptacle when the body of said bracket is in position on the upper rim of the trash receptacle.

11. An improved trash receptacle as set forth in claim 10, wherein said bracket is composed of a resilient metal material.

12. An improved trash receptacle as set forth in claim 10, wherein said bracket is composed of a resilient plastic material.

13. A bracket for holding a limp plastic sack having at least two openings adjacent the top rim of said sack and a body portion, in place in a trash receptacle, said bracket comprising:

(a) a body portion adapted to rest on the top rim of said trash receptacle;

(b) bifurcated leg means extending downwardly from said body portion adapted to contact one side of one wall of said trash receptacle when said body portion rests on the top rim of said trash receptacle, and said leg means being bifurcated to facilitate placement of said body portion on curved or planar walls;

(c) at least one inside leg extending downwardly from said body portion adapted to contact the other side of said one wall of said trash receptacle when said body portion rests on the top rim of said trash receptacle;

(d) a plurality of projections extending upwardly from said body portion for engaging one of said openings in said sack for supporting said sack in said trash receptacle, said plurality of projections providing for engaging openings of different sizes in a manner that a wide variety of plastic sacks may be utilized; and

(e) a generally horizontal ledge carried by said body portion extending between said bifurcated leg means and said inside leg for supporting said body portion on said top rim of said trash receptacle, and said projections extending well above said horizontal ledge so that the top edge of said sack is carried generally flush with the top of said trash receptacle when said openings of said sack are engaged by said projections and attached to said trash receptacle thereby.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said bracket is formed of a resilient plastic material and said inside leg extends downwardly at an angle from said generally horizontal ledge in such a manner that a resilient bias is exerted by said inside leg against said one wall of said trash receptacle when said body portion is resting on the top rim of said trash receptacle with said bifurcated legs and said inside legs engaging opposing sides of said trash receptacle wall.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein a lower end of said inside leg includes an smooth outwardly curved surface facilitating easy insertion of said bracket over the top rim of said trash receptacle.