Trash bag having flexible solid edge

Abstract

A bag for collecting refuse or yard waste is disclosed. The bag may include one or more solid edges to keep the bag open when in a horizontal or when in an upright position. The solid edge may flip out to act as a guide for refuse into the bag. The bag may also include a loop handle that may be held by the user to facilitate the bag staying open in the horizontal position, or a hook or clip that facilitates the bag staying open in the upright position.

1 . A trash or refuse bag, comprising: 
 a flexible container comprising at least one body panel that has at least two sides, a closed bottom and a top that includes an open mouth; and    a retaining member comprising a flexible strip and extending sufficiently along at least one side of the mouth, the retaining member being fixedly connected to the body panel near the mouth;    wherein the retaining member has sufficient rigidity to keep the mouth of the bag in an open position when the bag is in use and is removable from the bag for disposal when the bag is full.    
   
   
       2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the body panel is connected along at least two sides and the bottom between the two sides.  
   
   
       3 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein first and second opposing body panels are present and are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom.  
   
   
       4 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a second retaining member comprising a flexible strip along the opposite side of the mouth of the bag, wherein the second retaining member has sufficient rigidity to keep the mouth of the bag in an open position when in use and is removable from the bag for disposal when the bag is full.  
   
   
       5 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining member includes a projecting lip that projects over the mouth of the bag and which pivots about an axis such to engage a flat surface to provide a ramp guide for material which is to be placed into the bag.  
   
   
       6 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining member is formed of a composite or paper material.  
   
   
       7 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible loop attached to one of the opposing body panels of the bag which is of sufficient length for providing further assistance with keeping the bag in the open position when in use.  
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible loop is formed of plastic, paper, rope, or string.  
   
   
       9 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible hook attached to one of the opposing body panels of the bag to permit the bag to remain open when in a vertical position.  
   
   
       10 . The bag of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible hook is formed of plastic, paper, rope, or string.  
   
   
       11 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a clip attached to at least one of the opposing body panels of the bag for gripping an available elevated surface, for the purpose of permitting the bag to remain open when in a vertical position.  
   
   
       12 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the clip is formed of plastic, metal, or a functional combination thereof.