Waste stream separator

Abstract

A bag holder is positioned on a container and defines an opening allowing access to the interior of the container. A portion of the bag holder surrounds the opening and defines a first section and a second section where the first section is arranged to support a first can liner in the container interior and the second section is arranged to hold a second can liner in the container interior. The first and second sections may also cooperate to also hold a single can liner in the container interior. A cinch may be provided for holding the first can liner and the second can liner on the first section and the second section under tension.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a container defining an interior;   a bag holder positioned on the container including a base defining an opening allowing access to the interior, a portion of the bag holder surrounding said opening and extending from said base to define a first section and a second section, said first section arranged to support a first can liner in said interior, said second section arranged to hold a second can liner in said interior with the first can liner, said first can liner and said second can liner being supported in said interior without any support structure extending across said opening, and said first and second sections arranged to cooperate to hold a third can liner in said interior.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including at least one cinch for holding said first can liner and said second can liner on said first section and said second section under tension. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said bag holder is integrally molded on said container. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said portion includes protrusions for engaging the can liner. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container is mounted on a vacuum cleaner unit. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said vacuum cleaner unit is mounted on wheels. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bag holder is separate from said container. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said portion is defined by an upwardly extending wall. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said bag holder includes a cavity dimensioned to receive an upper rim of the container. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein a clip retains the bag holder on said rim. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said clip includes a portion that extends into said cavity such that it engages the underside of the rim. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bag holder includes storage pockets. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a handle is formed on the bag holder. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein two gaps are provided in said wall to define said first section and said second section. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the first section is equal in size to said second section. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further including a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the wall to retain a liner on the bag holder. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein an upper edge of the first can liner is inserted into said gaps such that a portion of the first can liner extends between the gaps. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein an upper edge of the second can liner is inserted into said gaps such that a portion of the second can liner extends between the gaps. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein an upper edge of the first can liner is disposed over the wall such that a portion of the upper edge of the first can liner surrounds the wall and the upper edge of the first can liner is inserted into the gaps such that a remaining portion of the first can liner extends between the gaps. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein an upper edge of the second can liner is disposed over the wall such that a portion of the upper edge of the second can liner surrounds the wall and the upper edge of the second can liner is inserted into the gaps such that a remaining portion of the second can liner extends between the gaps. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said cinch includes a hole and a slot in said base. 
   
   
       22 . A bag holder comprising:
 a base defining an opening, a wall surrounding said opening and defining a first section and a second section, said first section arranged to support a first can liner in said interior, said second section arranged to hold a second can liner in said interior with the first can liner, said first can liner and said second can liner being supported in said interior without any support structure extending across said opening, and said first and second sections arranged to cooperate to hold a third can liner in said interior and at least one cinch for maintaining tension in the first and second or third can liners.   
   
   
       23 . The bag holder of  claim 22  wherein said wall includes protrusions for engaging the can liner. 
   
   
       24 . The bag holder of  claim 22  wherein said bag holder includes a cavity dimensioned to receive an upper rim of a container. 
   
   
       25 . The bag holder of  claim 24  further comprising a clip including a portion that extends into said cavity. 
   
   
       26 . The bag holder of  claim 22  wherein the base includes storage pockets. 
   
   
       27 . The bag holder of  claim 22  wherein a handle is formed on the base. 
   
   
       28 . The bag holder of  claim 22  wherein two gaps are provided in said wall to divide the opening into the first section and the second section. 
   
   
       29 . The bag holder of  claim 22  wherein the cinch comprises a hole and a slot formed in the base. 
   
   
       30 . A system comprising:
 a container having a rim defining an opening;   means supported on the container for supporting a first can liner and a second can liner such that the first can liner may be removed from the container without removing the second can liner.   
   
   
       31 . A method of using a waste stream separator comprising:
 providing a bag holder on a container, said bag holder comprising a base defining an opening, a wall surrounding said opening and defining a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section separated by a first gap and a second gap;   draping an open top edge of a first can liner over said first section and inserting the top edge of the first can liner into said first gap and said second gap such that a portion of the top edge of the first can liner extends across said opening;   pulling the first can liner tight over the wall;   maintaining tension on said first can liner by retaining excess first can liner in a cinch;   draping the open top edge of a second can liner over said second section and inserting the top edge of the second can liner into said first gap and said second gap such that a portion of the top edge of the second can liner extends across said opening;   pulling the second can liner tight over the wall;   maintaining tension on said second can liner by retaining excess second can liner in a cinch.