Debris collection systems and methods

Abstract

According to the invention, a system for collecting debris is disclosed. The system may include a flexible sheet, two lengthwise members, a handle, and two hooks. The flexible sheet may have a trapezoidal shape having a short edge, a long edge, and side edges. The flexible sheet may also have apertures substantially near the middle of each side edge. Each aperture may be sized to permit the insertion of a hand. The lengthwise members may be encased by the flexible sheet between the apertures and the side edges. The handle may be coupled with one side of the flexible sheet and located between the long edge and a point substantially centered between the two apertures. The first hook may be coupled between the handle and the short edge on that same side. The second hook may be between the first aperture and the short edge on that same side.

1 . A system for collecting debris, wherein the system comprises:
 a flexible sheet, wherein:
 the flexible sheet has a first side and a second side, 
 the flexible sheet has a trapezoidal shape having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge; 
 the first edge is opposite, and substantially parallel, to the second edge; 
 the first edge is shorter than the second edge; 
 the third edge and the fourth edge each connect the first edge with the second edge; 
 the flexible sheet has a first aperture substantially near the middle of the third edge, wherein the first aperture is sized to permit the insertion of a human hand; and 
 the flexible sheet has a second aperture substantially near the middle of the fourth edge, wherein the second aperture is sized to permit the insertion of a human hand; 
   a first lengthwise member substantially encased by the flexible sheet between the first aperture and the third edge;   a second lengthwise member substantially encased by the flexible sheet between the second aperture and the fourth edge;   a handle coupled with the first side of the flexible sheet, wherein the handle is located between the second edge and a point substantially centered between the first aperture and the second aperture;   a first hook coupled with the first side of the flexible sheet and be located substantially between the handle and the first edge; and   a second hook coupled with the first side of the flexible sheet and be located substantially between the first aperture and the first edge.   
     
     
         2 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein the first lengthwise member comprises a singular continuous member substantially an entire length of the third edge. 
     
     
         3 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a flexible length of material, and the handle being coupled with the first side of the sheet comprises the flexible length of material coupled at each end with the flexible sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein the handle being coupled with the first side of the flexible sheet comprises the handle coupled with the flexible sheet about one third of the distance from the point substantially centered between the first aperture and the second aperture and the second edge. 
     
     
         5 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein the first hook located substantially between the handle and the first edge comprises the first hook being located substantially halfway between the handle and the first edge. 
     
     
         6 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein the second hook located substantially between the first aperture and the first edge comprises the second hook being located substantially halfway between the first aperture and the first edge. 
     
     
         7 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein the first hook comprises a widened fishhook shaped hook. 
     
     
         8 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein the first hook comprises a widened spiraled shaped hook. 
     
     
         9 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein all exposed seams of the flexible sheet, except at the first aperture and second aperture, are located on the first side. 
     
     
         10 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises an aperture guard coupled with an entire perimeter of the first aperture. 
     
     
         11 . A method for collecting debris, wherein the method comprises:
 placing a flexible sheet on a surface, wherein the flexible sheet has a trapezoidal shape having a bottom edge, a top edge, and two side edges;   placing debris onto an exposed side of the flexible sheet;   folding the flexible sheet over the debris such that a first side edge is proximate to a second side edge;   coupling a container at the bottom edge of the flexible sheet; and   raising the flexible sheet with at least one handle, such that the debris moves into the container at least partially due to gravity, and wherein the at least one handle comprises a handle coupled with an underside of the flexible sheet and closer to the top edge than the bottom edge.   
     
     
         12 . The method for collecting debris of  claim 11 , wherein coupling a container at the bottom edge of the flexible sheet comprises coupling a trash bag with a plurality of hooks, wherein the hooks are located proximate to the bottom edge. 
     
     
         13 . The method for collecting debris of  claim 12 , wherein coupling the trash bag with the plurality of hooks comprises coupling each hook with a different handle of the trash bag. 
     
     
         14 . The method for collecting debris of  claim 13 , wherein coupling each hook with a different handle of the trash bag comprises placing a handle at each hook so the handle is supported by the hook when the flexible sheet is raised with the at least one handle. 
     
     
         15 . A system for collecting debris, wherein the system comprises:
 a flexible sheet, wherein:
 the flexible sheet has a first side and a second side, 
 the flexible sheet has a trapezoidal shape having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge; 
 the first edge is opposite, and substantially parallel, to the second edge; 
 the first edge is shorter than the second edge; and 
 the third edge and the fourth edge each connect the first edge with the second edge; 
   a handle coupled with the first side of the flexible sheet, wherein the handle is located between the second edge and a point substantially centered between a center of the third edge and a center of the fourth edge;   a first coupling mechanism coupled with the first side of the flexible sheet and located substantially between the handle and the first edge; and   a second coupling mechanism coupled with the first side of the flexible sheet and located substantially between the center of the third edge and the first edge.   
     
     
         16 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 15 , wherein the third edge and the fourth edge of the flexible sheet are stiffer than the first edge and the second edge. 
     
     
         17 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 15 , wherein the system further comprises a first handle located proximate to the third edge and a second handle proximate to the fourth edge. 
     
     
         18 . The system for collecting debris of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first coupling mechanism and second coupling mechanism comprises a hook.