Apparatus and a method for bagging debris in a commercially available trash bag which has closure straps

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for bagging debris in a commercially available trash bag which has closure straps. The device is composed of a housing defining a generally cylindrical enclosure whose ends are in open communication with the exterior of the housing. The housing is flattened on one side to maintain the device in a stable position when it is placed on the ground. The housing has a handle attached to its exterior to enable a user to lift and maneuver the device. The housing has a means for attaching a trash bag which has one or more closure straps to one end of the housing using the trash bag's closure straps such that the generally cylindrical enclosure of the housing is in open communication with the interior of the trash bag.

1 . An apparatus for collecting debris in a trash bag comprising: 
 a housing defining a generally cylindrical enclosure with a first end and a second end, the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing being in open communication with the exterior of the housing, the housing further having a generally flattened first wall extending approximately the length of the housing from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing;    a handle attached to the exterior of the housing on a second wall of the housing;    a means for attaching a trash bag which has one or more closure straps to the second end of the housing using the trash bag's closure straps such that the generally cylindrical enclosure of the housing is in open communication with the interior of the trash bag.    
   
   
       2 . The invention in  claim 1  where the means for attaching the trash bag to the housing is a member is attached to the external circumference of the second end, the member being either a removable clip or a projection molded to the housing such that the member extends outward from the housing, and upward toward the first end of the housing creating a cradle in the elbow of the member, whereby the user may pull bag straps up and over the end of the member extending toward the first end of the housing, and down toward the second end of the housing into the elbow or cradle of the member.  
   
   
       3 . The invention in  claim 1  where the body of the handle attached to the housing is positioned parallel to a line extending from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing.  
   
   
       4 . The invention in  claim 2  where the body of the handle attached to the housing is positioned parallel to a line extending from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing.  
   
   
       5 . The invention in  claim 1  where the first end of the housing has a diameter larger than the second end of the housing.  
   
   
       6 . The invention in  claim 2  where the first end of the housing has a diameter larger than the second end of the housing.  
   
   
       7 . The invention in  claim 3  where the first end of the housing has a diameter larger than the second end of the housing.  
   
   
       8 . The invention in  claim 4  where the first end of the housing has a diameter larger than the second end of the housing.  
   
   
       9 . The invention in  claim 5  where the diameter of the first end of the housing is larger than the width of the head of a leaf rake and the diameter of the second end of the housing is less than the opening of a 20 or 40 gallon trash bag.  
   
   
       10 . The invention in  claim 6  where the diameter of the first end of the housing is larger than the width of the head of a leaf rake and the diameter of the second end of the housing is less than the opening of a 20 or 40 gallon trash bag.  
   
   
       11 . The invention in  claim 7  where the diameter of the first end of the housing is larger than the width of the head of a leaf rake and the diameter of the second end of the housing is less than the opening of a 20 or 40 gallon trash bag.  
   
   
       12 . The invention in  claim 8  where the diameter of the first end of the housing is larger than the width of the head of a leaf rake and the diameter of the second end of the housing is less than the opening of a 20 or 40 gallon trash bag.  
   
   
       13 . A method for collecting debris in a trash bag comprising the steps: 
 holding a trash bag which has one or more closure straps in a fixed and open position using the bag's closure straps to hold the bag in such a position;    guiding debris onto a relatively flat surface located adjacent to the opening of the trash bag;    tilting the relatively flat surface adjacent to the opening of the trash bag such that gravity causes the debris to fall through the opening of the trash bag into the interior of the trash bag.    
   
   
       14 . The invention in  claim 13  where the debris are compressed as they are guided onto the relatively flat surface adjacent to the opening of the trash bag.  
   
   
       15 . The invention in  claim 13  including the additional step: 
 applying the weight of the debris in the trash bag to the straps of the trash bag causing it to be held more firmly.    
   
   
       16 . The invention in  claim 14  including the additional step: 
 applying the weight of the debris in the trash bag to the straps of the trash bag causing it to be held more firmly.