Mechanically engageable bag stabilizers

Abstract

Mechanically engageable bag stabilizers having a first and second tabular member, a first and second engagement portion disposed thereon, an attachment portion disposed on each tabular member, and an engageable member that allows for mechanical engageability of the tabular members with each other and which may be located on either entirely on one engagement portion or partially upon both engagement portions. Depending upon the embodiment, the mechanically engageable bag stabilizers may be securably and removably attached to the bag proximal its mouth or the stabilizers may be affixed proximal the mouth. This attachment or affixation may be on the bag's interior, exterior, or areas of both. The engageable member is contemplated herein as embodying at least a separable hinge member, a frictive or magnetic interconnecting member, a slideable member, a fastenable member, or a bend-and-snap member. Wherein any such engageable member is capable of maintaining a bag's open mouth structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mechanically engageable bag stabilizer attachable to a collapsible or foldable bag, said bag having at least an interior, an exterior, a mouth, a wall, and a base, said stabilizer comprising:
 a first tabular member;   a second tabular member;   a first engagement portion disposed on the first tabular member;   a second engagement portion disposed on the second tabular member;   an engageable member disposed on at least one engagement portion; and   an attachment portion disposed on each of the first and second tabular members, said attachment portion securably attachable to the bag;   wherein the first and second tabular members, once attached to the bag's wall via the attachment portions, alternate between a parallel position and a mechanically engageable longitudinal position.   
     
     
         2 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein the attachment portion of the first and second tabular members is removably attachable to the bag. 
     
     
         3 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 2  wherein the attachment portion attaches to the bag at a position along or proximal to the mouth. 
     
     
         4 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 3  wherein the attachment portion attaches to the bag on only its interior, only its exterior, or areas of both. 
     
     
         5 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 4  wherein the engageable member is disposed entirely on either the first or second engagement portion or partially on both the first and second engagement portion. 
     
     
         6 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 5  wherein the engageable member on both the first and second engaging portions interconnects to form a separable hinge that remains mechanically engaged in both the parallel and longitudinal position. 
     
     
         7 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 5  wherein the engageable member on both the first and second engaging portions comprises a frictive material disposed along at least an area of each engagement portion. 
     
     
         8 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 5  wherein the engageable member on both the first and second engaging portions comprises a magnetic material disposed along at least an area of each engagement portion. 
     
     
         9 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 5  wherein the engageable member comprises a slideable member disposed on either the first or second engagement portion when in the parallel position and that is mechanically engageable to both the first and second engagement portions when in the longitudinal position. 
     
     
         10 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 5  wherein the engageable member comprises a bend-and-snap member disposed on both the first and second engagement portion that bends when in the parallel position and that stiffens when mechanically engaged in the longitudinal position. 
     
     
         11 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 5  wherein the engageable member comprises a fastenable member disposed on both the first and second engagement portion that is capable of mechanically engagement when in the longitudinal position. 
     
     
         12 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein the first engagement portion is disposed on the second tabular member and the second engagement portion is disposed on the first tabular member. 
     
     
         13 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein the first and second tabular members are affixed to the bag via their attachment portions during manufacture or production of the bag. 
     
     
         14 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 13  wherein the attachment portion affixes to the bag at a position along or proximal to the mouth. 
     
     
         15 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 14  wherein the attachment portion affixes to the bag on only its interior, only its exterior, or areas of both. 
     
     
         16 . The mechanically engageable bag stabilizer of  claim 15  wherein the engageable member is disposed entirely on either the first or second engagement portion or partially on both the first and second engagement portion.