Bag holder

Abstract

A bag holder configured to maintain a bag in an open position, the holder comprising: a first bag holding member defining a first opening therein; a second bag holding member defining a second opening therein; wherein the first bag holding member and the second bag holding member are pivotably coupled and configured to be movable to and between open and closed positions. Also disclosed is a method of maintaining a bag in an open position comprising providing the first and second bag holding members of the bag holder in the open position; placing an open end of the bag between the first and second bag holding members; moving the first and second bag holding members to the closed position such that at least a portion of the bag is sandwiched between at least a portion of the first and second bag holding members.

1 . A bag holder configured to maintain a bag in an open position, the holder comprising:
 a first bag holding member defining a first opening therein;   a second bag holding member defining a second opening therein;   a first pivotable member positioned on an outer and/or inner side wall of the first and/or second holding member;   wherein the first and second bag holding members comprise a top surface, a bottom surface and inner and outer side walls extending between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the first bag holding member and the second bag holding member are pivotably openable and closable and configured to be movable to and between open and closed positions, wherein said bag holder is configured to removably secure at least a portion of the bag.   
     
     
         2 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the bag holder further comprises a locking member coupled to the first bag holding member and/or second bag holding member, wherein the locking member is configured to temporarily maintain the first bag holding member and second bag holding member in the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second holding members have substantially the same shape. 
     
     
         4 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second holding members have a substantially ring shape. 
     
     
         5 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second holding members have substantially the same outer and/or inner circumference. 
     
     
         6 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second holding members are rigid. 
     
     
         7 . The bag holder of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second holding members comprise a rigid foam material. 
     
     
         8 . The bag holder of  claim 7 , wherein the rigid foam material comprises at least one of polystyrene, polyurethane, or polyisocyanurate. 
     
     
         9 . The bag holder of  claim 8 , wherein the polystyrene comprises expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene. 
     
     
         10 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the bag is sandwiched between the first and second holding members when the bag holder is in the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is composed of a flexible plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The bag holder of  claim 11 , wherein the bag is a 42-gallon construction trash bag. 
     
     
         13 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening defined by the first bag holding member is axially aligned with the second opening defined by the second bag holding member when the first and second holding members are in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second bag holding members are composed of at least one substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The bag holder of  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom surfaces have a width greater than the width of the individual inner and outer side walls extending therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The bag holder of  claim 2 , wherein the locking member comprises a latch member extending from the outer side wall of the first and second bag holding members. 
     
     
         18 . The bag holder of  claim 17 , comprising a first pivotable member positioned on the outer side wall of the first and second bag holding members. 
     
     
         19 . The bag holder of  claim 18 , wherein the first pivotable member is further positioned on the top surface of the first bag holding member and the bottom surface of the second bag holding member. 
     
     
         20 . A method of maintaining a bag in an open position comprising:
 providing the first and second bag holding members of the bag holder of  claim 1  in the open position;   placing an open end of the bag between the first and second bag holding members; and   moving the first and second holding members to the closed position such that at least a portion of the bag is sandwiched between at least a portion of the first and second bag holding members.