Countertop container and bag-holding device

Abstract

A bag-holding apparatus includes a generally L-shaped body adapted to be mounted to a surface. The generally L-shaped body has a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The bag-holding apparatus further includes a bag opener mounted to and extending away from the vertical portion. The bag opener includes at least one hook, proximate to a distal end of the bag opener. The at least one hook is configured to support a bag suspended therefrom and retain the bag in an open position, generally adjacent to the surface, to collect trash.

1 . A bag-holding apparatus comprising:
 a generally L-shaped body adapted to be mounted to a surface, the generally L-shaped body having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion; and   a bag opener mounted to and extending away from the vertical portion;   wherein the bag opener includes at least one hook, proximate to a distal end of the bag opener, the at least one hook being configured to support a bag suspended therefrom and retain the bag in an open position, generally adjacent to the surface, to collect trash.   
     
     
         2 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a countertop. 
     
     
         3 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal portion includes a cutting board. 
     
     
         4 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the horizontal portion is beveled. 
     
     
         5 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a frictioner on the generally L-shaped body for establishing a friction grip with the bag to prevent the bag from slipping. 
     
     
         6 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hook includes at least one front hook and at least one rear hook. 
     
     
         7 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one hook includes two front hooks and two rear hooks. 
     
     
         8 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal portion is adapted to be mounted to the surface with one or more suction cups. 
     
     
         9 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more suction cups includes a clamp for clamping the horizontal portion to the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bag opener is hinged to be collapsible against the vertical portion. 
     
     
         11 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal portion includes a drip edge extending beyond an intersection of the horizontal portion with the vertical portion. 
     
     
         12 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the intersection of the horizontal portion with the vertical portion forms a 90-degree angle. 
     
     
         13 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generally L-shaped body is made from a generally rigid material. 
     
     
         14 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the generally rigid material is a plastic material. 
     
     
         15 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the generally rigid material is a metal material. 
     
     
         16 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the generally rigid material is a ceramic material. 
     
     
         17 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generally L-shaped body is made from a molding process. 
     
     
         18 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generally L-shaped body is made from a stamping process. 
     
     
         19 . The bag-holding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the generally L-shaped body is made from an extrusion process. 
     
     
         20 . A chair comprising:
 a seat;   a seat back support; and   a pair of arm supports;   wherein at least one of the arm supports includes a pair of detents projecting outwardly from the at least one arm support, each of the pair of detents defining a furrow projecting inwardly into the at least one arm support; and   wherein the pair of detents is configured to support a bag suspended therefrom and retain the bag in an open position, generally adjacent to the at least one arm support, to collect trash.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled)