Bag washing apparatus and method
OwnerRandy M. Anderson, Jeannie L. Piekosinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A support structure and method, designed to maintain a resealable plastic bag in an open position within a dishwasher through the washing and drying cycles, has at least two vertically extending support and restraining straps that may be engaged with like straps to form a resilient support framework. A plurality of mating dimples and protrusions offer controlled size adjustments, while maintaining the reliability of the structure. The structure is readily collapsible to a flat and compact structure prior to purchase and when not in use, and includes features to engage with the rack in the dishwasher to prevent the support and bag from being substantially relocated during the wash process.
Claims19
A plastic bag support for retaining a plastic bag to assist with cleaning and drying thereof, comprising:
- at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps, each having an indeterminate length resilient body and a bag retainer;
- at least one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps having a coupling member suitable for engaging an indeterminate length body and coupling said at least one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps to an indeterminate length body of another of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps at a coupling location that is adjustable through a range of positions;
- and
- a means for engaging a dishwasher rack.
In combination, a plastic bag, a dishwasher rack, and a bag holder having at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps serving to support said bag and having a releasable attachment to said dishwasher rack, said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps comprising a coupling member coupling said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps together at a coupling location that is adjustable through a range of positions to vary a combined length of said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps.
A method of washing a plastic bag in an automatic dishwasher, comprising the steps of:
- aligning a first linear bag supporting and restraining strap with a second linear bag supporting and restraining strap;
- pressing said aligned first linear bag supporting and restraining strap transversely to a longitudinal axis against said second bag supporting and restraining strap to engage an operatively stable coupling therebetween;
- folding said first and second bag supporting and restraining straps into a loop;
- engaging said coupled and folded first and second bag supporting and restraining straps with said automatic dishwasher;
- sliding said first bag supporting and restraining strap relative to said second bag supporting and restraining strap to adjust a combined length to coincide with an interior opening in said plastic bag;
- and
- affixing said plastic bag to said coupled first and second bag supporting and restraining straps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.