# US 7,407,139 B1 · Resilient trash bag support apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,139 B1 - Document ID: US7407139B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 10/953,794 - Filed: 2004-09-29 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2004-09-29 - Inventors: David L. Dolan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407139B1 ## CPC - B65B 67/1238: {Inserts or external supports, e.g. baskets, for stiffening sacks in the open condition} - Y10S 248/907: Trash container support - 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) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A trash bag support apparatus includes a flexible and unitary body being selectively adaptable between linear and arcuate positions for removably inserting into a trash bag and engaging with an inner surface thereof. The body has opposed end portions and a top portion integral therewith. A plurality of elongated leg portions having lower edge portions are integrally disposed with the top portion and extend downwardly therefrom for defining a plurality of channels therebetween. The edge portions define a uniform line of weakness below which the trash bag is unsupported by the apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for assisting a user to maintain a trash bag at a selected position, said apparatus comprising: a flexible and unitary body adaptable between linear and arcuate positions, said body being sized and shaped for being removably insertable into a trash bag and engageable with an inner surface thereof for creating a generally annular top opening so that a user can readily fill the trash bag with debris without the necessity of handling the trash bag, said body having a centrally disposed latitudinal axis and opposed end portions equally spaced therefrom, said body including a top portion integral with said end portions and extending along a longitudinal length of said apparatus, said body further including a plurality of elongated leg portions integrally disposed with said top portion and extending downwardly therefrom along a vertical plane substantially parallel to the axis, said leg portions being provided with lower edge portions terminating below said top portion and for assisting a user to maintain the trash bag at an open position, said leg portions defining a plurality of channels therebetween wherein said channels extend upwardly along the vertical plane and terminate subjacent said top portion respectively; each of said leg portions having a longitudinal length at least twice as long as a distance between said top and end portions, wherein said leg portions comprise first, second and third leg portions, each of said first and third leg portions having an inner edge extending parallel to adjacent edges of said second leg portion, wherein said end portions laterally extend beyond outer edges of said first and third leg portions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said top portion is further provided with a plurality of slots equally spaced apart from the axis and extending substantially orthogonal thereto, said slots defining a plurality of handles adjacent said end portions so that a user can readily transport a filled trash bag while maintaining a sufficient grip of said apparatus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body is formed from non-corrosive material comprising plastic. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said leg portions extend downwardly along the inner surface of the trash bag and define a path through which a user may deposit debris. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said leg portions and said channels have a substantially rectangular shape and are Juxtaposed medially of said end portions. ### Claim 6 An apparatus for assisting a user to maintain a trash bag at a selected position, said apparatus comprising: a flexible and unitary body formed from resilient material for being selectively adaptable between linear and arcuate positions, said body being sized and shaped for being removably insertable into a trash bag and engageable with an inner surface thereof for creating a generally annular top opening so that a user can readily fill the trash bag with debris without the necessity of handling the trash bag, said body having a centrally disposed latitudinal axis and opposed end portions equally spaced therefrom, said body including a top portion integral with said end portions and extending along a longitudinal length of said apparatus, said body further including a plurality of elongated leg portions integrally disposed with said top portion and extending downwardly therefrom along a vertical plane substantially parallel to the axis, said leg portions being provided with lower edge portions terminating below said top portion and for assisting a user to maintain the trash bag at an open position, said leg portions defining a plurality of channels therebetween wherein said channels extend upwardly along the vertical plane and terminate subjacent said top portion respectively; each of said leg portions having a longitudinal length at least twice as long as a distance between said top and end portions, wherein said leg portions comprise first, second and third leg portions, each of said first and third leg portions having an inner edge extending parallel to adjacent edges of said second leg portion, wherein said end portions laterally extend beyond outer edges of said first and third leg portions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said top portion is further provided with a plurality of slots equally spaced apart from the axis and extending substantially orthogonal thereto, said slots defining a plurality of handles adjacent said end portions so that a user can readily transport a filled trash bag while maintaining a sufficient grip of said apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said body is formed from non-corrosive material comprising plastic. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, said leg portions extend downwardly along the inner surface of the trash bag and define a path through which a user may deposit debris. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said leg portions and said channels have a substantially rectangular shape and are juxtaposed medially of said end portions. ### Claim 11 An apparatus for assisting a user to maintain a trash bag at a selected position, said apparatus comprising: a flexible and unitary body formed from resilient material for being selectively adaptable between linear and arcuate positions, said body being sized and shaped for being removably insertable into a trash bag and engageable with an inner surface thereof for creating a generally annular top opening so that a user can readily fill the trash bag with debris without the necessity of handling the trash bag, said body having a centrally disposed latitudinal axis and opposed end portions equally spaced therefrom, said body including a top portion integral with said end portions and extending along a longitudinal length of said apparatus, said body further including a plurality of elongated leg portions integrally disposed with said top portion and extending downwardly therefrom along a vertical plane substantially parallel to the axis, said leg portions being provided with lower edge portions terminating below said top portion and for assisting a user to maintain the trash bag at an open position, said edge portions extending substantially parallel to the axis for defining a uniform line of weakness below which the trash bag is unsupported by said apparatus, said leg portions defining a plurality of channels therebetween wherein said channels extend upwardly along the vertical plane and terminate subjacent said top portion respectively; each of said leg portions having a longitudinal length at least twice as long as a distance between said top and end portions, wherein said leg portions comprise first, second and third leg portions, each of said first and third leg portions having an inner edge extending parallel to adjacent edges of said second leg portion, wherein said end portions laterally extend beyond outer edges of said first and third leg portions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said top portion is further provided with a plurality of slots equally spaced apart from the axis and extending substantially orthogonal thereto, said slots defining a plurality of handles adjacent said end portions so that a user can readily transport a filled trash bag while maintaining a sufficient grip of said apparatus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said body is formed from non-corrosive material comprising plastic. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said leg portions extend downwardly along the inner surface of the trash bag and define a path through which a user may deposit debris. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said leg portions and said channels have a substantially rectangular shape and are juxtaposed medially of said end portions.