# US 2014/0150397 A1 · Portable Trash Bag Support > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150397 A1 - Document ID: US20140150397A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,563 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Braincase Solutions, LLC - Inventors: David Palmer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150397A1 ## CPC - B65B 67/1238: {Inserts or external supports, e.g. baskets, for stiffening sacks in the open condition} - A47L 13/52: Dust pans; Crumb trays - B65B 67/1222: {characterised by means for suspending sacks, e.g. pedal- operated} - B65F 1/1415: {for flexible receptables, e.g. bags, sacks} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - B65F: GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE (disinfecting refuse A61L; refuse disintegrators B02C; sorting refuse B03B; B07B; handcarts for transporting refuse receptacles B62B; sack holders B65B67/00; converting refuse into fertilisers C05F; converting refuse into solid fuels C10L; sewers, cesspools E03F; arrangements in buildings for the disposal of refuse E04F17/10; refuse-consuming furnaces F23G; {for surgical articles A61B50/36}) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A device for collecting objects is provided which includes a frame formed with a peripheral groove that surrounds an orifice. Also included is a retainer member that is dimensioned to be received into the peripheral groove of the frame. A bag having an opening which is surrounded by a rim portion is held with its rim in the peripheral groove of the frame, This is accomplished by a fixed engagement between the frame and the retainer member. With this engagement, objects can be introduced into the bag, through the orifice of the frame, for collection. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for collecting objects which comprises: a bag having an opening surrounded by a rim portion; a frame surrounding an orifice, wherein the frame is characterized by an irregular planar periphery, with the periphery being axisymmetric with respect to an axis in the plane of the periphery, and wherein the frame is formed with a peripheral groove; a ramp formed on the frame, wherein the ramp extends along a portion of the periphery of the frame and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis, and wherein the ramp defines a straight edge with a flat surface extending between the straight edge and the periphery, and with the flat surface of the ramp inclined at an angle “θ” relative to the axis; and a retainer member dimensioned to be received into the peripheral groove of the frame for a fixed engagement of the retainer member onto the frame, to hold the rim of the bag between the frame and the retainer member for collecting objects into the bag through the orifice of the frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the incline angle “φ” of the ramp is in a range between three degrees and ten degrees (3°<φ<10°). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the frame and the ramp are made of a rigid plastic. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a handle formed on the frame opposite the orifice from the ramp. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A device as recited in claim 4 wherein the handle is an elongated pole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A device as recited in claim 5 further comprising a bracket, wherein the bracket is mounted on the pole to selectively hold an accessory thereon. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A device as recited in claim 6 wherein the accessory is a broom comprising: an elongated extension; and a substantially planar bristle brush, wherein the bristle brush is inclined to the extension at an angle “θ”, wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10°<θ<30°). ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A device as recited in claim 6 wherein the accessory is a scoop comprising: an elongated extension; and a shovel portion, wherein the shovel portion is inclined to the extension at an angle “θ”, wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10°<θ<30°). ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) A device as recited in claim 6 wherein the accessory is a rake comprising: an elongated extension; and a substantially planar tine array, wherein the tine array is inclined to the extension at an angle “θ”, wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10°<θ<30°). ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising an engagement mechanism which comprises: a receiving unit formed at the periphery of the frame adjacent the groove, wherein the receiving unit includes an access aperture straddled by a pair of holes, wherein the holes extend through the frame into the groove; and an engagement unit formed on the retainer member, wherein the engaging unit includes a press point straddled by a pair of retention tabs, wherein upon an engagement of the retainer member onto the frame the retention tabs are received into the holes of the receiving unit and the press point is positioned in the access aperture. ### Claim 11 A method for manufacturing a device for collecting objects which comprises the steps of: creating a frame to surround an orifice, wherein the frame is characterized by an irregular planar periphery, with the periphery being axisymmetric with respect to an axis in the plane of the periphery, and wherein the frame is formed with a peripheral groove: forming a ramp on the frame, wherein the ramp extends along a portion of the periphery of the frame and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis, and wherein the ramp defines a straight edge, with a flat surface extending between the straight edge and the periphery, and with the flat surface of the ramp inclined at an angle “φ” relative to the axis; and dimensioning a retainer member for placement into the peripheral groove of the frame for a fixed engagement of the retainer member into the groove of the frame to hold the rim of a bag between the frame and the retainer member for collecting objects into the bag through the orifice of the frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the incline angle “φ” of the ramp is in a range between three degrees and ten degrees (3°<φ<10°). ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the frame and the ramp are made of a rigid plastic. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of providing a handle engagement with the frame at a point opposite the orifice from the ramp. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of organizing an accessory kit, wherein the accessory kit includes accessories selected from the group consisting of: a broom having an elongated extension and a substantially planar bristle brush, wherein the bristle brush is inclined to the extension at an angle “θ”, and wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10°<θ<30°); a scoop having an elongated extension and a shovel portion, wherein the shovel portion is inclined to the handle at an angle “θ”, and wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10°<θ<30°); and a rake having an elongated extension and a substantially planar tine array, wherein the tine array is inclined to the extension at an angle “θ”, and wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10°<θ<30°). ### Claim 16 A method for assembling and using a system for collecting objects which comprises the steps of: providing a device having a frame surrounding an orifice, wherein the frame is characterized by an irregular planar periphery, with the periphery being axisymmetric with respect to an axis in the plane of the periphery, and wherein the frame is formed with a peripheral groove, with a ramp formed on the frame, wherein the ramp extends along a portion of the periphery of the frame and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis, and wherein the ramp defines a straight edge, including a flat surface extending between the straight edge and the periphery with the flat surface inclined at an angle “φ” relative to the axis, and wherein the frame includes a receiving unit formed at the periphery of the frame adjacent the groove, wherein the receiving unit includes an access aperture straddled by a pair of holes, wherein the holes extend through the frame into the groove; providing a retainer member dimensioned to be received into the peripheral groove of the frame, wherein the retainer member includes an engagement unit with a press point straddled by a pair of retention tabs, wherein upon an engagement of the retainer member onto the frame the retention tabs are received into the holes of the receiving unit and the press point is positioned in the access aperture for a fixed engagement of the retainer member onto the frame; opening a bag having a rim around an opening into the bag; positioning the rim of the bag between the groove of the frame and the retainer; and inserting the retainer member into the groove of the frame to engage the engaging unit of the retainer member with the receiving unit of the frame to hold the rim of the bag therebetween as the objects to be collected are introduced into the bag through the orifice. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the step of engaging an elongated pole to the periphery of the frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the step of using a broom to introduce objects into the bag, wherein the broom has an elongated extension and a substantially planar bristle brush, wherein the bristle brush is inclined to the extension at an angle “θ”, and wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10°<θ<30°), ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the step of using a rake to introduce objects into the bag, wherein the rake has an elongated extension and a substantially planar tine array, wherein the tine array is inclined to the extension at an angle “θ”, and wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10 <θ<30°). ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the step of using a scoop to introduce objects into the bag, wherein the scoop has an elongated extension and a shovel portion, wherein the shovel portion is inclined to the extension at an angle “θ”, and wherein the angle “θ” is in a range between ten and thirty degrees (10°<θ<30°).