Device for Aiding the Removal of a Bag from a Container

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for aiding the removal of a bag from a container. The device comprises a body having a rear wall and a plurality of side walls that define a receiving area. A lever is pivotably coupled to the body of the device and the lever pivots from a raised position whereby the lever is disposed in the receiving area to a lowered position. Pressure can be applied to the lever in the lowered position to substantially prevent the container from lifting upwards as the bag is lifted from inside the container. The device also comprises a mechanism for removably mounting the body to the container so that the device can be reused and/or used on multiple containers.

1 . A device for aiding the removal of a bag from a container, the device comprising:
 a body having at least one wall;   a lever being pivotably coupled to the body, wherein the lever pivots between a raised position in which the lever is disposed substantially parallel to the body and a lowered position in which the lever has pivoted away from the body; and   a mechanism for removably mounting the body to the container.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wall includes a tab for securing the lever in the raised position. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lever comprises a surface with a friction-enhancing material for applying pressure thereto. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a rivet for pivotably coupling the lever to the body. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises an adhesive tape for removably mounting the body to the container. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a magnet for removably mounting the body to the container. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lever comprises a pivot end being pivotably coupled to the body and a step end being opposite the pivot end, the step end moving between the raised position and the lowered position. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the step end includes a recessed portion configured for receiving an object to assist with the pivoting of the step end. 
   
   
       9 . A method for removing a bag from a container comprising:
 providing a device removably mounted to the container comprising a body having at least one wall, the wall contacting the container, a lever pivotably coupled to the body, wherein the lever pivots between a raised position and a lowered position;   pivoting the lever from the raised position to the lowered position;   applying pressure to the lever to substantially hold the container to the ground;   lifting the bag from the container; and   removing the bag from the inside of the container.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the applying pressure step further comprises stepping onto a friction-enhancing surface of the lever. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the lever comprises a pivot end being pivotably coupled to the body and a step end being opposite the pivot end, the step end having a recessed portion for assisting the pivoting of the lever between the raised position and lowered position. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein, after the removing step, the lever is pivoted back to the raised position. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein, during the pivoting step, the lever is moved past a tab which extends from one of the side walls of the body. 
   
   
       14 . A container assembly, comprising:
 a housing having an open end and a closed end; and   a device for aiding the removal of a bag from the interior of the housing, the device comprising:
 a body that is removably coupled to the housing; and 
 a lever being pivotably coupled to the body, wherein the lever pivots between a raised position in which the lever is disposed substantially parallel to the body and a lowered position in which the lever has pivoted away from the body. 
   
   
   
       15 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the body further comprises at least one wall that includes a tab for securing the lever in the raised position. 
   
   
       16 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a rivet for pivotably coupling the lever to the body. 
   
   
       17 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the device further comprises an adhesive tape for removably mounting the body to the housing. 
   
   
       18 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the device further comprises a magnet for removably mounting the body to the housing. 
   
   
       19 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of devices for aiding the removal of the bag from the interior of the housing. 
   
   
       20 . The container assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the lever comprises a pivot end being pivotably coupled to the body and a step end being opposite the pivot end, the step end having a recessed portion for assisting the pivoting of the lever between the raised position and lowered position.