Support structure for and method of using plastic Bags

Abstract

A collapsible support frame has a top opening and open sides to allow a plastic bag to be received through the top opening. Anchoring members protrude outwardly from the frame to engage the top of the open bag after it is folded over the frame. The anchoring members are dimensioned to at least partially stretch the folded-over portion of the bag to insure that the bag remains secured to the frame even when the bag is weighed down with materials placed in the bag, such as trash, recyclables, etc. After the bag is full and is to be removed from the frame the folded over portion is manually urged over the anchoring members to separate the bag from the frame. While the bag is held in the frame the exterior surfaces of the bag are visible and preferably bear messages, advertisements, etc.

1 . A support structure for supporting a thin walled stretchable plastic bag generally defining and axis and an open end, the support structure comprising a frame generally defining an interior volume or space and an upper frame opening arranged in a generally horizontal plane when the support structure is supported on a horizontal surface, said upper frame opening defining a perimeter P substantially corresponding to a perimeter p of an opening of a plastic bag to be supported, and protuberance means on said frame proximate to said frame opening, said protuberance means being arranged and dimensioned to engage and retain an open end of a bag placed within said interior volume with said open end stretched and pulled over said protuberance means. 
     
     
         2 . A support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is formed of a plurality of frame members linked to each other and collapsible for storage. 
     
     
         3 . A support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame member is a non-collapsible bin. 
     
     
         4 . A support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein perimeters p of plastic bags for use with a bin of perimeter P is selected to be within the range
   0.95 P<p≦P.      
     
     
         5 . A support structure as defined in  claim 4 , wherein p˜0.975P 
     
     
         6 . A support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said protuberance means comprises at least one protuberance that projects in a direction away from said upper frame opening to effectively increase the perimeter P. 
     
     
         7 . A support structure as defined in  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of protuberances are provided distributed about said upper frame opening. 
     
     
         8 . A support structure as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said upper frame opening is generally rectangular and one protuberance is provided at each corner of said frame opening. 
     
     
         9 . A support structure as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said protuberances have rounded ends to prevent said protuberances from puncturing the plastic bag when stretched over said protuberances. 
     
     
         10 . A support structure as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said protuberances have a dimension extending beyond said upper frame opening that is at least P. 
     
     
         11 . A support structure as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said protuberances are arranged about said upper frame opening to generally be aligned with pockets or recesses to each side of handles of plastic bags. 
     
     
         12 . In combination of a thin walled stretchable plastic bag and a support structure for supporting said thin walled stretchable plastic bag, said bag generally defining and axis and an open end, said support structure comprising a frame generally defining an interior volume or space and an upper frame opening arranged in a generally horizontal plane when the support structure is supported on a horizontal surface, said upper frame opening defining a perimeter P substantially corresponding to a perimeter p of an opening of a plastic bag to be supported, and protuberance means on said frame proximate to said frame opening, said protuberance means being arranged and dimensioned to engage and retain an open end of a bag placed within said interior volume with said open end stretched and pulled over said protuberance means. 
     
     
         13 . A support structure as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said bag comprises a T-shirt type bag. 
     
     
         14 . A support structure as defined in  claim 6 , wherein P is equal to approximately 41″ and said bag has a perimeter within the range of 39-41″. 
     
     
         15 . A support structure as defined in  claim 6 , wherein P is equal to approximately 41″ and said bag has a perimeter p=40″. 
     
     
         16 . A support structure as defined in  claim 12 , wherein perimeters p of plastic bags for use with a bin of perimeter P is selected to be within the range
   0. 95 P<p≦P.      
     
     
         17 . A support structure as defined in  claim 16 , wherein p˜0.975P. 
     
     
         18 . A method for securing a thin walled stretchable plastic bag generally defining and axis and an open end to a support structure comprising the steps of providing a support structure comprising a frame generally defining an interior volume or space and an upper frame opening arranged in a generally horizontal plane when the support structure is supported on a horizontal surface, said upper frame opening defining a perimeter P substantially corresponding to a perimeter p of an opening of a plastic bag to be supported, and protuberance means on said frame proximate to said frame opening, said protuberance means being arranged and dimensioned to engage and retain an open end of a bag placed within said interior volume with said open end; stretching the open end of the bag to enlarge the perimeter of the open end beyond the value p; pulling said stretched bag open end over said protuberance means; and releasing the bag open end to restore the perimeter of the bag open end to bring at least portions of the bag into interference engagement with said protuberance means to secure the bag open end to said upper frame opening. 
     
     
         19 . A method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein a plurality of protuberances are provided distributed about said upper frame opening and the stretched bag open end is pulled over and engaged with each of said protuberances. 
     
     
         20 . A method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein perimeters p of plastic bags for use with a bin of perimeter P is selected to be within the range