Disposable Appliance Bag and Method of Use Thereof

Abstract

A water heater bag and the method of using the bag to dispose of the water heater are disclosed herein. The bag is comprised of a rectangular bottom, the rectangular bottom adapted to identify for the user the position or the bag for the most proper and easiest installation. One or more sidewalls are integrated to the bottom, extending away from the bottom at a generally perpendicular angle at full bag extension. Each top portion of the one or more sidewalls is adapted to extend beyond the top end of an inserted water heater, so the bags length is greater than the length of the water heaters it carries, or 90 inches. These top portions have an upper end opening adapted to receive the water heater and are adapted to fold and be punctured by at least one water port. The material used in constructing the bag is comprised of a disposable material having a thickness of about 2 mils.

1 ) A water heater bag comprising,
 a rectangular bottom;   one or more sidewalls integrated to the bottom, the one or more sidewalls comprising
 a top portion adapted to perform at least one of (i) folding and (ii) being punctured by at least one water port, 
 a length greater than 90 inches; 
 a top portion having an upper end opening adapted to receive a water heater; and 
   a disposable material having a thickness of about 2 mils.   
   
   
       2 ) The water heater bag of  claim 1  wherein,
 the rectangular bottom comprises,
 about a 28 inch width, 
 about a 26 inch height, and wherein, 
 is adapted to receive a bottom end of a generally cylindrical water heater; and 
   the upper end opening is adapted to be substantially close through perforating a surface of the top portion by folding the one or more sidewalls.   
   
   
       3 ) The water heater bag of  claim 2  wherein, the one or more sidewalls are adapted to fold upon (i) placing a water heater end may on the rectangular bottom, and (ii) extending the one or more sidewalls along the length of the water heater, generally surrounding one or more water heater sides. 
   
   
       4 ) The water heater bag of  claim 1  wherein,
 the one or more sidewalls extend from the rectangular bottom to the top portion, the top portion adapted to extend beyond a water heater top end upon placing a water heater bottom end on the rectangular bottom; and   the one or more sidewall top portions adapted to fold from a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the water heater to a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.   
   
   
       5 ) The water heater bag of  claim 1  wherein, the one or more sidewalls are adapted to be punctured by (i) placing a portion of an inner surface of the one or more sidewalls on an end of the at least one port, and (ii) exerting a force onto a portion of the sidewall proximal the port. 
   
   
       6 ) The water heater bag of  claim 5  wherein, the force exerted onto the sidewall top portion is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the port. 
   
   
       7 ) The water heater bag of  claim 1  wherein,
 the one or more sidewall top portions are comprised of a sidewall edge, the sidewall edge comprising the upper end opening;   the upper end opening is adapted to receive a water heater; and further comprising,   one of a handle and a strap enabling the water heater bag to be one of carried or dollied upon receiving a water heater.   
   
   
       8 ) A method of disposing of a water heater using water heater bag of  claim 1  the method comprising,
 unfolding a disposable water heater bag comprising an upper end opening, one or more sidewalls, and a generally rectangular bottom;   exposing the upper end opening and the generally rectangular bottom;   removing a generally cylindrical used water heater having a generally elliptical cross-section, a bottom end, and at least one side from a water heater installation location;   placing the used water heater into to the upper end opening;   setting the water heater bottom end against the generally rectangular bottom; and   substantially surrounding the generally elliptical cross-section side with the one or more sidewalls.   
   
   
       9 ) A water heater combination comprising;
 a first water heater comprising a bottom end and adapted to be removed from an installation area;   a disposable flexible polymeric water heater bag comprising,
 a thickness from 2 mil to 3 mils, 
 a generally rectangular bottom end adapted to receive the first water heater bottom end, 
 one or more sidewalls adapted to couple to the first water heater, and 
 the bag being adapted to substantially retain water exiting from the water heater; and 
   a second water heater adapted to be placed into the installation area.   
   
   
       10 ) The water heater combination of  claim 9  wherein,
 the first water heater comprises at least one of a hot water and a cold water port; and   the generally rectangular bottom is integrated to one or more sidewalls, the one or more sidewalls adapted to longitudinally expand.   
   
   
       11 ) The water heater combination of  claim 9  wherein,
 the second water heater comprises a new water heater; and wherein,   the first water heater comprises a used water heater.   
   
   
       12 ) The water heater combination of  claim 9  wherein, the disposable flexible polymeric water heater bag further comprises,
 a length greater than 90 inches; and is adapted to,
 generally surround the first water heater upon receiving the first water heater bottom end, and 
 be one of carried or coupled to a transport system upon generally surrounding the first water heater. 
   
   
   
       13 ) A water heater disposal method comprising,
 unfolding a disposable water heater disposal bag comprising an upper end opening, one or more sidewalls, and a generally rectangular bottom;   placing a generally cylindrical used first water heater having a bottom end and a side having a generally elliptical cross-section into the upper end opening;   setting the water heater bottom end against the generally rectangular bottom;   substantially surrounding the generally elliptical cross-section side with the one or more sidewalls; and   piercing the one or more sidewalls.   
   
   
       14 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein, said unfolding comprises,
 laying the generally rectangular bottom on a substantially flat surface;   vertically exposing the upper end opening; and   placing the one or more sidewalls in a manner adapted to allow the sidewalls to be pulled over the water heater side.   
   
   
       15 ) The method of  claim 13  further including,
 folding a top portion of the one or more sidewalls;   puncturing the one or more sidewalls;   substantially encircling the water heater with the water heater bag;   removing the water heater from the premises; and   simultaneously disposing of the water heater and the water heater bag.   
   
   
       16 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein,
 surrounding the water heater side includes pulling on a sidewalls top portion over a water heater top end; and further including,   removing the first water heater from the premises; and   installing second water heater to same location.   
   
   
       17 ) The method of  claim 16  wherein,
 the second water heater comprises a new water heater; and   the used water heater is placed though the upper end opening by inserting the water heater bottom end into the opening;   
   
   
       18 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein,
 the unfolding includes exposing the generally rectangular bottom and the upper end opening; and   the piercing includes placing a water port through one or more sidewall top portions.   
   
   
       19 ) The method of  claim 18  further including,
 using a dolly to (i) keep the water heater generally vertical and (ii) place the water heater into the bag; and   using a dolly to transport the water heater away from an installation premises.   
   
   
       20 ) The method of  claim 19  further including,
 disposing of the water heater with removing the heater from the bag; and   installing a new water heater.