# US 8,770,454 B1 · Personal trash bag holding apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,454 B1 - Document ID: US8770454B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/186,905 - Filed: 2011-07-20 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-20 - Applicants: Shane Lutz - Inventors: Shane Lutz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770454B1 ## CPC - A45F 5/10: Handles for carrying purposes - A45F 5/021: {to the belt} - B65F 1/1415: {for flexible receptables, e.g. bags, sacks} - B65F 1/1468: {Means for facilitating the transport of the receptacle, e.g. wheels, rolls (hand-operated refuse vehicles B65F3/005)} - B65F 1/1615: {with means for locking, fastening or permanently closing thereof} - A45F 2003/025: {and one additional strap around the waist} - A45F 2003/142: {Carrying-straps} - A45F 2005/1006: {with means embracing the hand article to be carried} - B65F 1/1607: {with filling openings} - A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY - 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}) ## Abstract An apparatus for holding trash bags and facilitating trash pick up includes a bag holding base ring and interchangeable insert ring and opening ring which selectably attach to the base ring. The trash bag is secured between the opposing pairs of rings, which are each attachable to a waist belt worn by the user or can be carried individually by an attachable handle. The insert ring also includes a stripping membrane along a top surface to remove the refuse from a trash picker and retain it inside the bag. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trash bag holding apparatus comprising: a base assembly having an opening therethrough for receiving a trash bag such that an upper perimeter edge of said trash bag is foldable over a circumferential edge of said base assembly; an insert assembly having a central insert opening for receiving refuse selectably attachable to said base assembly to retain said upper perimeter of said trash bag between opposing surfaces thereof; a strap wearable around the shoulders of a user and removably attachable between a pair of said base assemblies; a belt wearable around the waist of said user such that said pair of base assemblies are each removably attachable to a pair of belt fasteners of said belt; and, a base ring comprising a pair of protruding “T”-shaped fasteners each insertingly attachable to an individual belt fastener to attach said base ring to said belt. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an opening ring assembly having an opening therethrough selectably attachable to said base assembly in place of said insert assembly to retain said upper perimeter of said trash bag between opposing surfaces thereof to support said trash bag in an open position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said insert assembly further comprises: an insert ring having an upper panel extending across an inner diameter to said insert opening; a hollow cylindrical skirt extending downwardly from said inner diameter of said insert ring; and, a flexible stripping membrane affixed to said insert opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said stripping membrane further comprises a rubberized circular member having an “X”-shaped slit defining four flexible fingers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle removably attached to said base assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base ring further comprises a plurality of twist fasteners rotatably attached to an upper surface thereof; and, wherein said insert ring and said opening ring each further comprises a plurality of fastener apertures disposed therethrough to receive said twist fasteners when said insert ring or said opening ring is selectably attached to said base ring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said base ring further comprises a groove disposed circumferentially along an outside surface; and, wherein said insert ring and said opening ring each further comprises a downwardly protruding lip having an inwardly protruding tongue to matingly engage said groove when said insert ring or said opening ring is selectably attached to said base ring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a clamping ring adapted to circumferentially enclose said base ring and said insert ring or said opening ring when selectably mated together to attach the same. ### Claim 9 A trash bag holding apparatus comprising: a base ring having an open inner diameter to receive a trash bag therethrough such that an upper perimeter edge of said trash bag is foldable over a circumferential edge of said base assembly; an insert ring having a closed inner diameter with a central insert opening for receiving refuse therethrough and a downwardly protruding hollow cylindrical skirt having a diameter slightly smaller than said base ring inner diameter; an opening ring having an open inner diameter approximately equal to said base ring inner diameter; and, a handle removably attachable to said base ring; wherein said insert ring is attachable to said base ring such that said skirt is inserted through said base ring inner diameter and into said trash bag, such that said upper perimeter of said trash bag is secured between opposing surfaces thereof; wherein said opening ring is attachable to said base ring, such that said upper perimeter of said trash bag is secured between opposing surfaces thereof to support said trash bag in an open position; said insert opening further comprises a circular stripping member having an “X”-shaped slit defining four flexible fingers; wherein said base ring further comprises a plurality of twist fasteners rotatably attached to an upper surface thereof; and wherein said insert ring and said opening ring each further comprises a plurality of fastener apertures disposed therethrough to receive said twist fasteners when said insert ring or said opening ring is selectably attached to said base ring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said base ring further comprises a groove disposed circumferentially along an outside surface; and, wherein said insert ring and said opening ring each further comprises a downwardly protruding lip having an inwardly protruding tongue to matingly engage said groove when said insert ring or said opening ring is selectably attached to said base ring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a clamping ring adapted to circumferentially enclose said base ring and said insert ring or said opening ring when selectably mated together to attach the same. ### Claim 12 A trash bag holding apparatus comprising: a pair of base rings each having an open inner diameter to receive a trash bag therethrough such that an upper perimeter edge of said trash bag is foldable over a circumferential edge of said base assembly; a pair of insert rings each having a closed inner diameter with a central insert opening for receiving refuse therethrough and a downwardly protruding hollow cylindrical skirt having a diameter slightly smaller than said base ring inner diameter; a pair of opening rings each having an open inner diameter approximately equal to said base ring inner diameter; a strap wearable around the shoulders of a user and removably attachable between said pair of base assemblies; and, a belt wearable around the waist of said user such that said pair of base assemblies are each removably attachable to a pair of belt fasteners of said belt opposite said strap; wherein each of said insert rings is attachable to said base ring such that said skirt is inserted through said base ring inner diameter and into said trash bag, such that said upper perimeter of said trash bag is secured between opposing surfaces thereof; and, wherein each of said opening rings is attachable to said base ring, such that said upper perimeter of said trash bag is secured between opposing surfaces thereof to support said trash bag in an open position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said insert opening further comprises a circular stripping member having an “X”-shaped slit defining four flexible fingers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said base ring further comprises a plurality of twist fasteners rotatably attached to an upper surface thereof; and, wherein said insert ring and said opening ring each further comprises a plurality of fastener apertures disposed therethrough to receive said twist fasteners when said insert ring or said opening ring is selectably attached to said base ring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said base ring further comprises a groove disposed circumferentially along an outside surface; and, wherein said insert ring and said opening ring each further comprises a downwardly protruding lip having an inwardly protruding tongue to matingly engage said groove when said insert ring or said opening ring is selectably attached to said base ring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a clamping ring adapted to circumferentially enclose said base ring and said insert ring or said opening ring when selectably mated together to attach the same.