Systems and methods for a container facilitating the use and reuse of handled bags

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention, a container may comprise a receptacle portion dimensioned to receive a handled bag and at least one handle flange disposed on a top edge of the receptacle to provide a holding fixture for a handle of the handled bag and to facilitate opening the bag, wherein the at least one handle flange flexes to engage a handle opening of the handled bag.

1 . A container, comprising:
 a receptacle portion dimensioned to receive a handled bag; and   at least one handle flange disposed on a top edge of the receptacle to provide a holding fixture for a handle of the handled bag and to facilitate opening the bag, wherein the at least one handle flange flexes to engage a handle opening of the handled bag.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises at least one of plastic, wood, metal, cardboard, and paper. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the handled bag is at least one of a plastic bag, a paper bag, and a fabric bag. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the handles of the handled bag are at least one of integral and removably attached. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the handled bag receives at least one of recycled items, trash, storage materials, supply materials, produce, groceries, and laundry. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the handle flanges, when released from the flexed position, tension the handled bag to keep it taut in the opening of the container. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising, a slot in a corner of the container adjacent to the at least one handle flange to provide additional stretching of the material of the handled bag. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid associated with the container by a hinge, wherein the lid covers the container. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid removably secured to the container, wherein the lid covers the container. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the handle flanges are disposed on two parallel walls of the container. 
   
   
       11 . A container, comprising:
 a receptacle portion dimensioned to receive a handled bag; and   at least one handle flange disposed on a top edge of the receptacle to provide a holding fixture for a handle of the handled bag and to facilitate opening the bag, wherein the at least one handle flange flexes to engage a handle opening of the handled bag and when released from the flexed position, tensions the handled bag to keep it taut in the opening of the container.   
   
   
       12 . A method, comprising:
 dimensioning a receptacle portion of a container to receive a handled bag; and   disposing at least one handle flange on a top edge of the container to provide a holding fixture for a handle of the handled bag and to facilitate opening the bag, wherein the at least one handle flange flexes to engage a handle opening of the handled bag.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the container comprises at least one of plastic, wood, metal, cardboard, and paper. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the handled bag is at least one of a plastic bag, a paper bag, and a fabric bag. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the handles of the handled bag are at least one of integral and removably attached. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the handled bag receives at least one of recycled items, trash, storage materials, supply materials, produce, groceries, and laundry. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the handle flanges, when released from the flexed position, tension the handled bag to keep it taut in the opening of the container. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising, a slot in a corner of the container adjacent to the at least one handle flange to provide additional stretching of the material of the handled bag. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a lid associated with the container by a hinge. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a lid removably secured to the container. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the handle flanges are disposed on two parallel walls of the receptacle. 
   
   
       22 - 51 . (canceled)