Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02631997 2008-06-19
DISPOSABLE FLAT BAG/COVER WITH DRAWSTRING
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article that can be used as a garbage bag
in which
items either for storage or for garbage renioval can be placed within, and
which can be
converted into a disposable/reusable cover to protect items from weather
and/or grime.
BACKGROUND
The conventional tube like garbage bags used for garbage, yard debris, laundry
and the
like, are difficult to place items within the mouth of the bag.
When removing yard debris it is sometimes required to have a flat surface to
place items
within, such as a tarp. Normally debris is removed by the conventional garbage
bag, due
to its tubular shape there is great difficulty placing items within. A
conventional bag is
dependant on assistance by holding at least one edge as to fill the bag to its
maximum
capacity.
The conventional garbage bag also has seams along the edges to secure two
pieces of
plastic together. These seams make the bag less durable.
The tubular shape of the conventional bag makes it hard to retrieve any items
without
having to dump said items.
Therefore it would be more appealing to have a bag with no seams that lays
completely
flat on the ground or flat surface in order to place and/or remove items with
no assistance,
where the exposed drawstring can be grasped to bring in the outer edges of the
said
invention for securing purposes.
Also, for economical reasoning, it would be most desirable to use an
environmentally
safe and/or biodegradable material and the like.
ABSTRA T
Some embodi nts of the present invention may p vide an article that may be a
combination used r a landscaping bag for large amounts of debris, a garbage
bag for
disposable purposes, storage/laundry bag for usable purposes, a cover for
protecting
purposes and the like.
The article may include one ntinuous dr w string located on the circumference
which
can be grasped by 1 or more h dles that xpose parts of the drawstring, such as
in a
conventional draw string garbage ag. e draw strings are secured by means of
folding
the circumference of the plastic bag r the draw string and sealed with glue,
heat or the
like. Fig 1; E
However, the present invention is n t 1i 'ted in this respect and the
bag/cover may have
other means of sealing said invent' n.
The invention is flat for easy re val of ite. , and can expose items without
having to
place said invention upside do to dump ite , by expanding the material over
the
strap, pushing around the edge o open said inve 'on to its original state.
CA 02631997 2008-06-19
2
The article may be made out of flexible plastic material such as the same type
of material
used in a conventional garbage bag or the like. The drawstring would be made
of the
same or different disposable material for landscaping purposes and/or garbage
removal. It
is also desirable for both embodiments of the said invention to be made of
biodegradable
material and/or the like.
The present invention is multi purpose and can be used as a cover such as a
tarp for
barbeques, lawn equipment, bikes, cars, kids pools and the like. It can also
be used in
replace of a conventional bag for storage, debris removal, laundry and the
like.
When size is considered the invention could be manufactured at a large size as
to fit a
house roof, garage roof, car, boat and the like. Holes can be cut into the
said invention for
chimneys, satellites etc. This will temporarily cover leaks, holes and the
like or for
temporary protection against environmental elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter regarding as the invention is particularly pointed out and
distinctly
claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention,
however, both as to
organize and method of operation, together with objects, features and
advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when
read with
the accompanied drawings in which.
Fig I is a top view of the article of the bag and cover combining a draw
string (B). Other
conversion methods may be used.
Fig 1 is a top view of an article such as a disposable bag, tarp and cover
consisting of two
embodiments. For example, the article may be a disposable tarp which turns
into a bag
for easy disposal and removal of items, a cover for emergency uses and the
like
The drawstring (B) is a continuous piece of plastic surrounding the
circumference of the
article which can be exposed by half circle openings (C) on two or more
opposing sides
as shown in Fig 1, However the said invention is not limited in this respect
and the
bag/cover can have different shapes and sizes of the areas that expose the
drawstring and
the drawstring itself.
Fig 2 is a bottom view of the invention.
Fig 3 is a perspective illustration of the said invention being converted from
a flat piece
of plastic into a bag for removal of debris and/or storage.
Fig 4 is a perspective illustration of the said invention being converted into
a cover.
Fig 5 is a perspective illustration of the said invention being converted for
use of all four
exposed handles to create a barrier for softer material and/or liquids.
CA 02631997 2008-06-19
3
Fig 6 is a perspective illustration of the said invention demonstrating
shoulder straps for
easy carrying.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,
elements shown in the
drawings have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale For example,
the
dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other
elements for
clarity and/or several physical components may be included in one functional
block or
element.
Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated
among the
drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
When being spread and/or laid open over a relatively flat surface, for
example, grass or
driveway, Fig 1 may have a substantially circular shape. However, the present
invention
is not limited in this respect and the said invention may have other shapes
such as, for
example, an oval shape as may be favored by consumers and/or users.
The inventions relatively flat surface allows for larger/bulk items to be
disposed and or
recycled, by way of wrapping around items and/or debris allowing for maximum
capacity
without compromising the strength or flexibility.
Where as D the surface of the bag that forms around the item, and A is the
protecting
surface for the item.
Because the invention does not have a tubular shape, it will not tip over when
filling or
retrieving items and there is no need of any assistance of keeping debris
within the
parameter of the invention when laying flat on the ground.
The items to be placed within the said invention must not compromise the
strength of the
material or drawstring. For example, a computer may be too heavy to place in
the
invention and will probably compromise the strength of the material.
However, since there are no seams within the body A and D of the invention, it
can
withstand greater weight than the conventional garbage bag.
The size of the bag may be 2 feet to 20 feet in diameter; however, the
invention is not
limited in this respect. Other bigger or smaller sizes may be used. The said
invention may
be made of one or more layers of flexible plastic. The thickness of the
plastic will
determine the durability of the said invention. The invention would be made of
water
proof material that can be used both as a garbage bag and a cover. The handles
(B) allow
for flexibility of the invention in the conversion process from bag to cover.
For example
in Fig 4, one handle can be used when covering an item such as a kids pool,
where one
handle is pulled to form the bag around the pool and to create a hold around
the pool. The
extended handle Fig 4(B) can then be tied into a knot to firmly secure it, as
to not be
affected by wind and other weather. The said invention can then be reused to
recover the
pool or as a garbage/storage bag for items and/or debris as seen in Fig 3.
Two handles Fig 3(B) are used when a garbage/storage bag is desired. The two
handles
(B) can then be used to tie together to secure items and/or debris.
Four handles Fig 5 (B) can be used when a square shape opening is desired for
use to
create barriers for softer debris such as dirt. A knot can be placed on either
handle
CA 02631997 2008-06-19
4
individually as to keep its shape, and then may be tied on opposing sides to
secure debris
and/or items.
Two handles Fig 6(B) may be also used as a shoulder strap as to transport
items on the
shoulder(s) with or without it tied. For example, when used for laundry the
opening is not
tied and the articles can be easily transported and then exposed for easy
access.
The invention is not limited to 2 or 4 handles (B), and it is realized that
more handles will
compromise the durability of the edge containing the draw string, but is not
impossible to
achieve durability depending on the size of the holes exposing each handle and
the
durability of the material itself.
However, more than 4 handles may not provide any more advantages of the said
invention, as the bag lays flat and can fit and form almost any item when
matched with
the right size and type of flexible material.
Said invention can only be reusable when the drawstring remains in tact. This
can be
accomplished by tying a knot or a bow.
The said invention has multi-purpose functions such as but not limited to
laundry bags,
yard debris bag, car covers, barbeque cover, emergency temporary rain cover,
garbage
bag, storage bag, transporting bag, hat protector, temporary shoe protector
for
construction wear, emergency poncho, tarp, temporary shelter and the like.
While certain features of the said invention have been illustrated and
described herein,
many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents may occur to those
of
ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the
appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications and changes as they fall within the
true spirit of
the invention.
