Collapsible Support Apparatus

Abstract

A collapsible support apparatus constructed from a elongated panel. The collapsible support apparatus is arranged to form a partially enclosed triangular structure for maintaining a bag in an upright and open state predominately within the triangular structure. The elongated panel includes a longitudinal score line which defines first and second elongated subpanels. A lateral score line of the elongated panel defines a base panel extending perpendicularly from a bottom edge of one of the elongated subpanels. The base panel is dimensioned to span intermediate bottom edges of the first and second elongated subpanels to form a closed base which limits abrasion to the bottom of the bag. The collapsible support apparatus is collapsible at least along the longitudinal and lateral score lines into a generally planar structure.

1 . A collapsible support apparatus comprising:
 an elongated panel configured to form a partially enclosed triangular structure comprising:   a longitudinal score line which defines first and second elongated subpanels;   a lateral score line which defines a base panel extending from a bottom edge of the first elongated subpanel;   means for coupling a free edge of the base panel with the second elongated subpanel;   wherein the collapsible support apparatus is collapsible at least along the longitudinal and lateral score lines into a generally planar structure.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elongated panel includes a pair of longitudinal bag retaining slits formed into top edges of the first and second elongated subpanels, the bag retaining slits being laterally offset a predetermined lateral distance from opposing side edges of the elongated panel. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each bag retaining slit is configured to receive a portion of an open end of a bag in a secure wedging relationship for positively retaining the bag in the upright and open state. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base panel includes spaced double scoring lines for cooperatively collapsing the base panel with the first and second elongated subpanels. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the spaced double scoring lines extend diagonally across a planar face of the bottom panel in a plane that perpendicularly intercepts the longitudinal score line. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a pair of longitudinally aligned interlocking members disposed intermediate the bag retaining slits and the opposing side edges of the elongated panel. 
 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the interlocking members are configured to engage with interlocking members associated with one or more other collapsible support apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the opposing side edges include a tapered profile. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 8  wherein a narrowest lateral dimension of the tapered profile is proximate to the base panel. 
     
     
         10 . A collapsible support apparatus comprising:
 a corrugated elongated panel arranged to form a partially enclosed triangular structure for maintaining a bag in an upright and open state predominately therein, the corrugated elongated panel comprising:   a longitudinal score line which defines first and second elongated subpanels;   a lateral score line which defines a base panel extending perpendicularly from a bottom edge of the first elongated subpanel, the base panel dimensioned to span intermediate bottom edges of the first and second elongated subpanels;   means for coupling a free edge of the base panel with the second elongated subpanel;   wherein the collapsible support apparatus is collapsible at least along the longitudinal and lateral score lines into a generally planar structure.   
     
     
         11 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the base panel includes spaced double scoring lines for cooperatively collapsing the base panel intermediate the first and second subpanels. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the free edge of the base panel includes a coupling tab disposed generally in parallel with a predominate face of the second subpanel. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a pair of longitudinally aligned interlocking members disposed proximate to opposing top corners of the corrugated elongated panel. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the longitudinally aligned interlocking members comprise ovoid-shaped push tabs. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the partially enclosed triangular structure includes an open face opposite the longitudinal score line. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the base panel includes one or more apertures adapted to receive means for securing the collapsible support apparatus to a horizontal surface. 
     
     
         17 . A collapsible support apparatus comprising:
 a corrugated elongated panel configured to form a partially enclosed triangular structure for maintaining a bag in an upright and open state predominately therein, the corrugated elongated panel comprising:   a first elongated subpanel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a side edge and a bag retaining slot partially extending longitudinally a predetermined distance from the top edge toward the bottom edge;   a second elongated subpanel longitudinally coupled with the first elongated subpanel along a first score line;   a base panel laterally coupled with the bottom edge of the first elongated subpanel along a second score line, the base panel including a third score line extending diagonally across a predominate face of the base panel;   means for coupling a free edge of the base panel with the second elongated subpanel;   wherein the first and second elongated subpanels and base panel are collapsible along the first, second and third score lines into a generally planar structure.   
     
     
         18 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the means for coupling the free edge of the base panel with the second elongated subpanel is a connection tab longitudinally coupled to a side edge of the base panel defined by a fourth score line. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a pair of spaced grip tabs disposed proximate to top edges of the first and second elongated subpanels. 
 
     
     
         20 . The collapsible support apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the base panel includes a polygon shape dimensioned to span intermediate bottom edges of the first and second elongated subpanels.