Easy Trash Bagger TM -- Yard Maintenance Tool: U.S. Patent # 5,842,595
Figure 1: Side View
Legend for the Figures:
(1) Tubular Frustum Container
(2) Open Base with Reinforced Rim
(3) Open Top with Reinforced Rim
(4) Snap-on Lid
(5) Adjustable Handle
(6) Wheels (2) and Axle
(7) Notch in Back of Base Reinforced Rim
(8) Axle Support
Figure 2: Back View
Introduction:
I know! I know! You are thinking, "NOT ANOTHER TRASH BAG HOLDER!!!" Don't these guys ever tire of re-inventing these things? But wait, before you click away, give me a minute of your time. This one is a cut above the rest -- far better than the open frame types...., better than the sleeve types...., and even better than the ordinary garbage can which is the trash bag holder of choice for millions of homeowners. Plus, this one can be used as an ordinary garbage can when its not bagging yard trash. Please refer to Figures 1 & 2.
Easy Trash Bagger's Advantages:
The Easy Trash Bagger TM will significantly reduce the labor that every homeowner expends to bag and dispose of yard trash. Designed to utilize plastic trash bags, the Easy Trash Bagger TM is a reusable trash container that:
1. Supports the bag in an upright and open position for trash loading.
2. Protects the bag from tears and ruptures during trash loading and compaction.
3. Transports the heavy filled bag to the street curb.
4. Allows the easy removal of the heavy filled bag from the container for disposal.
5. Utilizes the full capacity of the bag.
6. Makes bags more user friendly -- a great product addition for bag manufacturers.
7. Has a huge potential market -- millions of homeowners.
8. Is simple and inexpensive to manufacture -- similar to a plastic garbage can.
9. Its advantages can be easily demonstrated in a short TV commercial.
10. Indoors, it is used to bag household garbage -- a dual purpose container.
There Must Be a Better Way to Bag Yard Trash
I live in south Florida where yard maintenance is a weekend job -- 52 weeks of the year. With a 12-month growing season, each yard generates a lot of trash. Most homeowners bag their trash in plastic trash bags and place the heavy filled bags by the street curb for pickup by commercial trash haulers.
While plastic trash bags are useful and economical for the retention and disposal of yard trash, the bags are not user friendly. First, the bags are not self-supporting in an upright and open position for loading. The bag must be held open with one hand while the other hand loads trash into the bag -- not an easy task. Second, the bag is prone to tears and ruptures during trash loading and compaction.
Many homeowners use plastic garbage cans to solve the above two problems with trash bags. Unfortunately, garbage cans create two more problems -- trapped air and difficult removal of the heavy filled bag. Third, as trash is loaded into the bag, air is trapped between the bag and garbage can which prevents filling the bag to more than 25 percent capacity. To release the trapped air, the bag must be removed from the top rim, pushed against the sides of the garbage can, and re-stretched over the top rim. These actions to release the trapped air are time consuming.
Fourth, the heavy filled bag is difficult to remove from the garbage can. When the bag is full, the heavy filled bag must be pulled out of the garbage can. As the bag is pulled and begins to lift, a vacuum is created between the bag and garbage can which makes the bag cling to the garbage can. While the filled bag is heavy, the force to break the vacuum is tremendous. The only way to break the vacuum is to pull and work the bag back-and-forth with both hands while trying to hold the garbage can down with both legs. This ordeal to remove the bag is back-breaking and time consuming, as well as comical to watch. The Easy Trash Bagger TM solves all four problems.
There Is a Better Way to Bag Yard Trash:
Designed to utilize plastic trash bags, the Easy Trash Bagger TM is similar in appearance to a plastic garbage can with wheels. However, there are functional differences. The top is smaller than the base (instead of vice-versa); the base is open (instead of a solid bottom); and the wheels are located on the exterior of the base (instead of tucked into the bottom). These features allow the trash to be loaded into the bag via the open top and the heavy filled bag to be removed via the open base. The wide-track wheels and adjustable handle allow the Easy Trash Bagger TM to be moved easily. A snap-on lid seals the contents within the bag. Please see Figures 1 & 2.
A bag is inserted into the Easy Trash Bagger TM and stretched over its top rim. The container supports the bag in an upright and open position for trash loading, and protects the bag from tears and ruptures during trash loading and compaction. Problems 1 and 2 with the trash bag are eliminated.
As trash is loaded into the bag, the air between the bag and container escapes automatically through the open base. Problem 3 with the garbage can is eliminated.
When the bag is full, the Easy Trash Bagger TM is pulled to the street curb for unloading. The bag is removed from the top rim and closed with the drawstring. The lip of the top rim is used to lift the "light" Easy Trash Bagger TM, and the heavy filled bag remains on the ground ready for disposal by commercial trash haulers. Problem 4 with the garbage can is eliminated.
Huge Potential Market:
Every homeowner that maintains his own yard, and every company that maintains residential and commercial properties are potential customers. Plus, the Easy Trash Bagger TM could become the garbage can of choice for homeowners -- a dual purpose container.
Simple and Inexpensive to Manufacture:
The Easy Trash Bagger TM is similar to a garbage can, and should be as simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Like a garbage can, construction would be of heavy-duty plastic.
Powerful Visual Demonstration:
The advantages of the Easy Trash Bagger TM can be easily demonstrated in a short TV commercial. Picture a father and young son working side-by-side in the yard. The athletic father is using a garbage can with a bag to dispose of yard trash. He is really struggling because of the problems with the garbage can/trash bag -- trapped air and removal of the heavy filled bag. Meanwhile, the young son is using the Easy Trash Bagger TM. He demonstrates that bagging trash without the problems caused by the garbage can/trash bag is a piece-of-cake.
Prototype and Home Video:
A functional prototype (without wheels) was used to demonstrate the concept and advantages of the Easy Trash Bagger TM via a home video. The home video lasts about ten minutes. If you'd like a copy of the home video, please contact me.
Licensing Agreement:
Inventor is seeking a licensing agreement but would consider other arrangements. Thank you for your time to evaluate this new product.
Inventor: Dale Williams, P.E. 12041 Captains Landing, North
Palm Beach, FL 33408-2501
Phone (561) 622-7660, FAX (561) 627-5654 (9 AM to 9 PM EST)
E-mail: [email protected]
since
January 15, 2001