IP Library Patent Application 12174831
Patent Application
App. No. 12/174,831

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A CONTAINER FACILITATING THE USE AND REUSE OF HANDLED BAGS

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/174,831
Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention, a container may comprise a receptacle portion dimensioned to receive a handled bag and at least one handle flange disposed on a top edge of the receptacle to provide a holding fixture for a handle of the handled bag and to facilitate opening the bag, wherein the at least one handle flange flexes to engage a handle opening of the handled bag.

Claims (28)

1 . A container, comprising:

a receptacle portion dimensioned to receive a handled bag; and

at least one handle flange disposed on a top edge of the receptacle to provide a holding fixture for a handle of the handled bag and to facilitate opening the bag, wherein the at least one handle flange flexes to engage a handle opening of the handled bag.

2 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises at least one of plastic, wood, metal, cardboard, and paper.

3 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the handled bag is at least one of a plastic bag, a paper bag, and a fabric bag.

4 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the handles of the handled bag are at least one of integral and removably attached.

5 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the handled bag receives at least one of recycled items, trash, storage materials, supply materials, produce, groceries, and laundry.

6 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the handle flanges, when released from the flexed position, tension the handled bag to keep it taut in the opening of the container.

7 . The container of claim 1 , further comprising, a slot in a corner of the container adjacent to the at least one handle flange to provide additional stretching of the material of the handled bag.

8 . The container of claim 1 , further comprising a lid associated with the container by a hinge, wherein the lid covers the container.

9 . The container of claim 1 , further comprising a lid removably secured to the container, wherein the lid covers the container.

10 . The container of claim 1 , wherein the handle flanges are disposed on two parallel walls of the container.

11 . A container, comprising:

a receptacle portion dimensioned to receive a handled bag; and

at least one handle flange disposed on a top edge of the receptacle to provide a holding fixture for a handle of the handled bag and to facilitate opening the bag, wherein the at least one handle flange flexes to engage a handle opening of the handled bag and when released from the flexed position, tensions the handled bag to keep it taut in the opening of the container.

12 . A method, comprising:

dimensioning a receptacle portion of a container to receive a handled bag; and

disposing at least one handle flange on a top edge of the container to provide a holding fixture for a handle of the handled bag and to facilitate opening the bag, wherein the at least one handle flange flexes to engage a handle opening of the handled bag.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the container comprises at least one of plastic, wood, metal, cardboard, and paper.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the handled bag is at least one of a plastic bag, a paper bag, and a fabric bag.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the handles of the handled bag are at least one of integral and removably attached.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the handled bag receives at least one of recycled items, trash, storage materials, supply materials, produce, groceries, and laundry.

17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the handle flanges, when released from the flexed position, tension the handled bag to keep it taut in the opening of the container.

18 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising, a slot in a corner of the container adjacent to the at least one handle flange to provide additional stretching of the material of the handled bag.

19 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising a lid associated with the container by a hinge.

20 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising a lid removably secured to the container.

21 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the handle flanges are disposed on two parallel walls of the receptacle.

22 - 51 . (canceled)

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2008
From: DAYTON, DOUGLAS C.; PARK, SUNG K.; STEWART, WILLIAM C.
To: UMAGINATION LABS, L.P.
Reel/Frame 021527/0578 →