Configurable support device for reusable bags

Abstract

Examples provide a reusable bag support device providing an internal support structure to hold a reusable bag in an open and upright configuration. The reusable bag support device includes a central panel and one or more additional panels connected via one or more spring-loaded hinges. In other examples, the reusable bag support device includes a spring-loaded wire ring compressed into a closed configuration including a plurality of overlapping coils in a ring formation. A bag attachment clamp removably attaches the device to a portion of a lip of a reusable bag. A fixture attachment is provided to secure the reusable bag support device to a bag fixture. A compression holds the reusable bag support device in a closed configuration. The compression clamp is released to expand the reusable bag support device inside the reusable bag and conforms to a variety of shapes and sizes of non-standard reusable bags.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reusable bag support device comprising:
 a central panel comprising a first side, a second side, a top side, and a bottom side forming a substantially rectangular panel covered with a flexible material;   a first side panel comprising a first edge and a second edge, the first edge attached to the first side of the central panel via a first spring-loaded hinge;   a second side panel comprising a third edge, the third edge attached to the second edge of the first side panel via a second spring-loaded hinge;   a third side panel comprising a fourth edge and a fifth edge, the fourth edge attached to the second side of the central panel via a third spring-loaded hinge;   a fourth side panel comprising a sixth edge, the sixth edge attached to the fifth edge of the third side panel via a fourth spring-loaded hinge;   a bottom panel comprising a top edge, the top edge of the bottom panel attached to the bottom side of the central panel via a fifth spring-loaded hinge;   a set of bag fixture attachment rings connected to the top side of the central panel configured to hang on a pair of bag attachment arms on a bag support fixture;   a compression clamp configured to secure the reusable bag support device in a folded configuration when engaged, the compression clamp comprising a release mechanism configured to release the reusable bag support device into an open configuration when dis-engaged; and   a reusable bag attachment clamp configured to secure the reusable bag support device to a portion of a lip of a reusable bag when placed over the portion of the lip of the reusable bag and engaged, the reusable bag attachment clamp holds the reusable bag support device within the reusable bag to provide an interior frame support the reusable bag in an open and upright orientation; and   an aperture defined by the central panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel and the fourth side panel when in the reusable bag support device is in the open configuration, the aperture providing an opening through which a set of items is placed into the reusable bag.   
     
     
         2 . The reusable bag support device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the set of bag fixture attachment rings retracting into a set of attachment ring holders associated with the top side of the central panel, the set of attachment ring holders comprising the release mechanism to release the set of bag fixture attachment rings from the set of attachment ring holders.   
     
     
         3 . The reusable bag support device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the set of bag fixture attachment rings folding down into a set of attachment ring holders associated with the top side of the central panel, the set of attachment ring holders comprising the release mechanism to release the set of bag fixture attachment rings from the set of attachment ring holders.   
     
     
         4 . The reusable bag support device of  claim 1 , the set of bag fixture attachment rings further comprising:
 an attachment connecting a first end of a vertical support member to a portion of the central panel and a second end of the vertical support member forming a ring.   
     
     
         5 . The reusable bag support device of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable bag support device forms a substantially rectangular shape within the reusable bag when in the open configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable bag support device of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable bag support device forms a three-sided open rectangular shape within the reusable bag when in the open configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable bag support device of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable bag support device forms a substantially pentagonal shape within the reusable bag when in the open configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The reusable bag support device of  claim 1 , wherein the reusable bag support device forms a substantially flat rectangular-shaped object when folded into the folded configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A configurable reusable bag support device comprising:
 a central panel comprising a substantially rectangular panel having a first side, a second side, a top side, and a bottom side;   a first side panel comprising a first edge attached to the first side of the central panel via a first spring-loaded hinge;   a second side panel comprising a second edge, the second edge attached to the second side of the central panel via a second spring-loaded hinge;   at least one bag fixture attachment ring connected to a portion of the central panel, the at least one bag fixture attachment ring configured to removably attach to at least one bag attachment arm on a bag support fixture; and   a compression clamp configured to secure the reusable bag support device in a folded configuration when engaged, the compression clamp comprising a release mechanism configured to release the reusable bag support device into an open configuration when dis-engaged.   
     
     
         10 . The configurable reusable bag support device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a reusable bag attachment clamp configured to secure the reusable bag support device to a portion of a lip of a reusable bag when placed over the portion of the lip of the reusable bag and engaged, the reusable bag attachment clamp holds the reusable bag support device within the reusable bag to provide an interior frame support the reusable bag in an open and upright orientation.   
     
     
         11 . The configurable reusable bag support device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a third side panel comprising an attachment edge, the attachment edge removably attached to at least one side of the first panel via a removable spring-loaded hinge.   
     
     
         12 . The configurable reusable bag support device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a fourth side panel comprising an attachment edge, the attachment edge removably attached to at least one side of the second side panel via a removable spring-loaded hinge.   
     
     
         13 . The configurable reusable bag support device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a bottom panel comprising a top edge, the top edge of the bottom panel removably attached to the bottom side of the central panel via a removable spring-loaded hinge.   
     
     
         14 . The configurable reusable bag support device of  claim 9 , wherein the configurable reusable bag support device forms a substantially flat rectangular-shaped object when folded into the folded configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The configurable reusable bag support device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an aperture defined by the central panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel, the aperture providing an opening through which a set of items is placed into the reusable bag.   
     
     
         16 . A compressible reusable bag support device for reusable bags comprising:
 a spring-loaded wire ring compressed into a closed configuration including a plurality of overlapping coils in a ring formation;   a compression clamp configured to secure the compressible reusable bag support device in the closed configuration when engaged, the compression clamp holding the overlapping coils together to prevent un-coiling;   a release mechanism associated with the compression clamp configured to release the spring-loaded wire ring into an open configuration when dis-engaged, the overlapping coils unwind into a ring formation within an interior of a reusable bag in the open configuration;   a reusable bag attachment clamp configured to secure the compressible reusable bag support device to a portion of a lip of a reusable bag when placed over the portion of the lip of the reusable bag and engaged, the reusable bag attachment clamp holds the compressible reusable bag support device to a portion of the interior of the reusable bag to provide an interior frame support holding the reusable bag in an open and upright orientation; and   an aperture defined by the spring-loaded wire ring when in the open configuration, the aperture providing an opening through which a set of items is placed into the reusable bag.   
     
     
         17 . The compressible reusable bag support device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a hand grip attached to a portion of the spring-loaded wire ring, the hand grip comprising a smooth upper surface configured to conform to a hand of a user.   
     
     
         18 . The compressible reusable bag support device of  claim 17 , wherein the hand grip further comprises the compression clamp and the release mechanism to release the compressible reusable bag support device into the open configuration when placed inside the reusable bag or lock the compressible reusable bag support device into the closed configuration after removal of the compressible reusable bag support device from the reusable bag. 
     
     
         19 . The compressible reusable bag support device of  claim 17 , wherein the hand grip further comprises the reusable bag attachment clamp and an attachment mechanism to attach the compressible reusable bag support device to a portion of a reusable bag or release the compressible reusable bag support device from the reusable bag. 
     
     
         20 . The compressible reusable bag support device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a set of bag fixture attachment rings connected to a portion of the spring-loaded wire ring, an attachment ring in the set of bag fixture attachment rings configured to connect to at least one bag attachment arm on a bag support fixture.