Bag Holder and Waste Bin Incorporating Snaps to Lock Bag Open

Abstract

One common problem when doing trash clean up is that the mouths of thin (often plastic) bags have a tendency to collapse when carried by hand. This collapse closes the mouth of the bag, making it difficult to place material inside. The invention comprises a frame that the bag is installed over. Attached to the frame are flaps connected to the frame via living hinges. On each flap are snaps that have corresponding matched mating parts on the frame itself. When the flaps are closed, the matched mating parts interface in such a way as to snap closed, locking the bag open securely between the flaps and frame. When built into the top of a waste bin, the invention prevents the sides of the bag from falling into the bin.

1 . A bag holder and/or waste bin device comprising:
 a) a frame; and   b) a multiplicity of flaps; each actuated relative to the frame via a multiplicity of living hinges,   wherein said flaps engage with the frame via matched mating parts to lock a bag between said matched mating parts.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flaps and said frame lock with an audible snapping sound to alert the user that the flaps are locked. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said flaps are each small in size in proportion to said frame. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bag holder is detachable from the waste bin for separate hand held use. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the entire device is molded as a single piece for economical manufacture. 
     
     
         6 . A bag holder and/or waste bin device comprising:
 a) a frame; and   b) a multiplicity of flaps; each actuated relative to the frame via a multiplicity of hinges,   wherein said flaps engage with the frame via matched mating parts to lock a bag between said matched mating parts.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said hinges are living hinges. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said flaps and said frame lock with an audible snapping sound to alert the user that the flaps are locked. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said flaps are each small in size in proportion to said frame. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the bag holder is detachable from the waste bin for separate hand held use. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the device is made from a single mold for economical manufacture. 
     
     
         12 . A bag holder and/or waste bin device comprising:
 a) a frame; and   b) a plurality of flaps; each actuated relative to the frame via a multiplicity of living hinges,   wherein said flaps engage with the frame via matched mating parts to lock a bag between said matched mating parts.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said flaps and said frame lock with an audible snapping sound to alert the user that the flaps are locked. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said flaps are each small in size in proportion to said frame. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the bag holder is detachable from the waste bin for separate hand held use. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the entire device is molded as a single piece for economical manufacture. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the top portion of the frame is curved. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said flaps are each small in size in proportion to said frame. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the entire device is molded as a single piece for economical manufacture.