Countertop Bag Holder and Method

Abstract

A free-standing device capable of holding a single storage bag for filling includes a plurality of arm sets, each arm set having two vertically extending arm extensions joined at their lower most ends to a shared horizontally extending arm component, the horizontally extending arm component of the first arm set adapted for pivotally connecting to the horizontally extending arm component of the second arm set. A method of use is also disclosed.

1 . A device for holding a bag for filling, said device comprising a plurality of arm sets, each arm set having two vertically extending arm extensions joined at their lower most ends to a shared horizontally extending arm component, the horizontally extending arm component of the first arm set adapted for pivotally connecting to the horizontally extending arm component of the second arm set. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first arm set and second arm set are adapted for interconnecting and rotating about 90 degrees apart prior to installation of the bag for filling on the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the pivotal connection includes a pin extending upwardly from the horizontally extending arm component of the first arm set, said second arm set having an aperture in a same area for at least temporarily receiving the upwardly extending pin from the first arm set. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the pin extends fully through the aperture in the horizontally extending arm component. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the pin of the first arm set and the complementary aperture of the second arm set are adapted for rotationally yet permanently connecting to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the post and complementary aperture are at a centermost point of the respective horizontally extending arm components. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , which further includes two or more downwardly extending, resting tabs adjacent the complementary aperture in the horizontally extending arm component. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the two horizontally extending arm components are adapted for repeated connecting and disconnecting to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , which is made from a polymer material. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each of the vertically extending arm extensions terminates is a tip which will not puncture the bag. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the vertically extending arm extensions are expandable in total length. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the horizontally extending base elements are expandable in total width. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 2 , which has fixed horizontal and vertical element sizes for accommodating a consistent bag size. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 2 , which has adjustable widths and/or adjustable vertical lengths for the same model to accommodate bags of different sizes. 
     
     
         15 . A method for filling a plastic bag comprises:
 (a) providing a bag holding stand consisting of: a plurality of arm sets, each arm set having two vertically extending arm extensions joined at their lower most ends to a shared horizontally extending arm component, the horizontally extending arm component of the first arm set adapted for pivotally connecting to the horizontally extending arm component of the second arm set   (b) opening the bag holding stand by extending the vertical arms at least 30 degrees apart from adjacent vertical arms;   (c) opening the plastic bag to be filled and lipping its uppermost edges onto itself;   (d) positioning the lipped uppermost edges onto the uppermost lips of the bag holding stand; and   (e) filling the plastic bag as it rests over the vertical arms of the bag holding stand.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the bag holding arms are extended 60 degrees apart or more. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the bag holding arms are extended about 90 degrees apart or more. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the arm sets of the bag holding stand have adjustable vertical length extensions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the arm sets of the bag holding stand have adjustable vertical width extensions.