Self-Standing Bag

Abstract

A bag including a resilient support that can stand upright independently and is encased in flexible sheet material. The support is elastically deformed and tensions the sheet material as the support attempts to return to an undeformed condition. The bag can be provided with a cover and handles as well as an arrangement for inhibiting tipping or displacement of the bag.

1 . A bag comprising:
 a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between said ends, said support being adapted to stand upright independently on one of said ends when said one end rests on a horizontal surface;   flexible sheet material enclosing said support substantially in its entirety, said sheet material defining a collection space in said interior space, and said collection space having an opening at the other of said ends for the insertion of articles in said collection space; and   a handle connected to said support.   
   
   
       2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said support comprises a first endless element at said one end and a second endless element at said other end, each of said endless elements surrounding said interior space, and said support further comprising a plurality of elongated elements joining said first endless element and said second endless element to one another, said second endless element being provided with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein said collection space is provided with a cover in the region of said opening, said cover including flexible sheet material and a slit through said flexible sheet material of said cover. 
   
   
       4 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising means for holding said support in place. 
   
   
       5 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein said holding means comprises a flap in the region of said one end, said flap being provided with a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface. 
   
   
       6 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein said holding means comprises a compartment in the region of said one end and a weighting substance in said compartment. 
   
   
       7 . A bag comprising:
 a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between said ends, said support being adapted to stand upright independently on one of said ends when said one end rests on a horizontal surface;   flexible sheet material enclosing said support substantially in its entirety, said sheet material defining a collection space in said interior space, and said collection space having an opening at the other of said ends for the insertion of articles in said collection space; and   a cover for said collection space in the region of said other end.   
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein said support comprises a first endless element at said one end and a second endless element at said other end, each of said endless elements surrounding said interior space, and said support further comprising a plurality of elongated elements joining said first endless element and said second endless element to one another, said second endless element being provided with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The bag of  claim 7 , further comprising means for holding said support in place. 
   
   
       10 . The bag of  claim 9 , wherein said holding means comprises a flap in the region of said one end, said flap being provided with a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface. 
   
   
       11 . The bag of  claim 9 , wherein said holding means comprises a compartment in the region of said one end and a weighting substance in said compartment. 
   
   
       12 . A bag comprising:
 a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between said ends, said support being adapted to stand upright independently on one of said ends when said one end rests on a horizontal surface;   flexible sheet material enclosing said support substantially in its entirety, said sheet material defining a collection space in said interior space, and said collection space having an opening at the other of said ends for the insertion of articles in said collection space; and   means for holding said support in place.   
   
   
       13 . The bag of  claim 12 , wherein said holding means comprises a flap in the region of said one end, said flap being provided with a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface. 
   
   
       14 . The bag of  claim 12 , wherein said holding means comprises a compartment in the region of said one end and a weighting substance in said compartment. 
   
   
       15 . The bag of  claim 12 , wherein said support comprises a first endless element at said one end and a second endless element at said other end, each of said endless elements surrounding said interior space, and said support further comprising a plurality of elongated elements joining said first endless element and said second endless element to one another, said second endless element being provided with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The bag of  claim 12 , wherein said collection space is provided with a cover in the region of said opening, said cover including flexible sheet material and a slit through said flexible sheet material of said cover. 
   
   
       17 . A bag comprising:
 a support having opposed longitudinal ends and an interior space between said ends, said support being adapted to stand upright independently on one of said ends when said one end rests on a horizontal surface; and   flexible sheet material enclosing said support substantially in its entirety, said sheet material defining a collection space in said interior space, and said collection space having an opening at the other of said ends for the insertion of articles in said collection space, said support including a first endless element at said one end and a second endless element at said other end, and each of said endless elements surrounding said interior space, said support further including a plurality of elongated elements joining said first endless element and said second endless element to one another, and said second endless element being provided with weakened areas at two diametrically opposed locations thereof.   
   
   
       18 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein said collection space is provided with a cover in the region of said opening, said cover including flexible sheet material and a slit through said flexible sheet material of said cover. 
   
   
       19 . The bag of  claim 17 , further comprising means for holding said support in place. 
   
   
       20 . The bag of  claim 19 , wherein said holding means comprises a flap in the region of said one end, said flap being provided with a perforation for a holding element to be driven into a surface. 
   
   
       21 . The bag of  claim 19 , wherein said holding means comprises a compartment in the region of said one end and a weighting substance in said compartment.