Portable Leaf and Trash Collector

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a leaf and trash collector and a method of collecting same. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for inserting a chute into a plastic bag and retaining the chute within the bag, and filling the bag.

2. Prior Art

It is difficult when filling a plastic leaf, trash bag or the like with debris to retain the bag in an open position while inserting leaves and other trash therein. Various devices have been provided, including stands for retaining the bag in an open, upright position. Such stands have proved to have disadvantages in having to pick the leaves and trash up to insert them in the bag opening, as well as the bag coming off of the retainer.

Leaf collectors such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,832 have been provided wherein a rim with a handle therein retains a plastic leaf bag in an open position. An elongated elastic restraining member is used to cooperate with a groove in the rim to retain the bag on the rim. However, the bag can easily pull off the rim because the elastic member does not provide a sufficient gripping force. Also, the weight of the entire assembly is supported by a handle on the rim which, in turn, does not provide any assistance in retaining the bag on the rim.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,649 illustrates another bag holder wherein a plastic frame ring is provided and wherein a plastic bag is folded thereover. A supplemental retainer ring having a pair of free ends and a circumferential groove is snapped into the initial frame ring to retain the bag therebetween. As with the previously discussed patent, there is no scoop means to assist in the insertion of leaves and trash into the bag. Further, with U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,649, there is no means to hold the bag while trash is being inserted. Also, because of the split nature of the supplemental retainer ring, the plastic bag can easily slip out when full. On the other hand, there is no great need to retain the bag in the combination rings since one would presumably not carry or move the bag or even retain or hold the bag by use of the rings.

The following patents also illustrate bag and receptacle filling means, including means for having a scoop and/or chute combination: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,827,931, 3,818,956, 3,936,087, 4,133,356, 4,139,029, 4,248,278 and 4,312,531.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a combined means and method for holding a bag in the open position for inserting leaves, lawn clippings and the like, together with means for holding the device and having the scoop for assisting in filling the bag.

Another object is to provide a two-piece member with a handle in such a way that there is less pressure on the retaining ring, thus providing a better means for holding the bag on the device.

Still another object is to provide an easy to use leaf collector assembly and method.

The portable leaf and trash collector according to the invention includes a first member with a chute portion on one end, a scoop on the other end, and a groove between the chute and scoop. The chute portion is inserted into the top opening of a plastic bag, and the bag is surrounded by a ring with a handle thereon. The handle is positioned so that it is approximately opposite the chute, and the bag is retained between the ring and first member by snapping the ring into the groove.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings werein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevation view of the portable leaf and trash collector;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the chute member; and

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the ring member.

Referring to FIG. 1, a plastic bag of conventional design is seen at 1. The bag has a bottom 3 and a top opening at 5. The bag is opened and a first member 7 having a downwardly tapered chute 9 at the bottom forming an opening 10 is inserted therein. The first member also has a circumferential lip 11 and a groove 12 therein at the top portion thereof. Extending from one side of the lip 11 is the chute 9. Finally, approximately 90.degree. in either direction from the chute 9 are a pair of carrying handles 15.

The chute can also be seen from a front view in FIG. 2. It is contemplated that the chute will be made of a rigid injected molded plastic material of sufficient rigidity to retain the bag in the open position, as well as acting as an assist by means of a scoop 13 to permit material in the form of leaves and trash to be inserted therein. The scoop 13 extends about 90.degree. or slightly less around the periphery of lip 11.

A ring 17 having an opening 18 and a stabilizing handle 19 formed of metal, hard rubber or other substantially rigid nonelastic material cooperates with the bag 1 and groove 12. The ring can been seen in a front view in FIG. 3.

The leaf and trash collector and method of the instant invention is performed by, for example, placing the plastic bag 1 within opening 18 of plastic ring 17 with the opening 5 of the bag extending slightly above the top of ring 17. The bag 5 is opened and chute 9 of member 7 is inserted within the opening. The combined bag and ring 17 are slid up over the tapered portions of the chute 9 until the ring 17, together with the bag, are forced into or snapped into groove 12. There is provided, of course, sufficient resilience between the ring and member 7 to permit the ring to snap in and out of groove 12, yet the ring is not sufficiently elastic to permit it to be easily dislodged from the groove.

In positioning the handle 19 relative to the scoop 13, the two will be approximately 180.degree. from each other as seen in FIG. 1. In this way, it will be possible for the user to rotate the combined bag and members 7 and 17 counterclockwise 90.degree. from that shown in FIG. 1 so that scoop 13 rests on the ground, and the combined unit can be held by handle 19. In this way, scoop 16 can be used as a "scoop" so that the leaves or other trash will enter into the center opening 10 in chute 9 and proceed to the interior of plastic bag 1.

When the plastic bag 1 is sufficiently filled, the members 7 and 17 are disengaged by unsnapping ring 17 from groove 12 and pulling chute 9 out from the interior of the bag. Ring 17 can either be removed from the top of the bag or can be permitted to fall onto the ground. The bag is then neatly tied closed.

Obviously, the bag can be moved from place to place in a semi-filled condition by use of handles 15 or by the primary use of handle 19.

While an embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be understood that it is capable of still further modification and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention, following in general the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as to come within knowledge or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and falling within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.