A bag carrying clamp and method are described using an inner ring providing shape support to a flexible plastic forming the bag to provide a compression surface against which an outer split ring with segmented pressure fingers can be compressed using an overcenter clamp. Strap and belt connections for carrying the ring and the attached bag are also provided.

An article-unloading apparatus comprising a bin assembly including a bag inside a bin. The bin assembly is raised and lowered by a lift and tilted, when raised, to dump articles onto a decline conveyor, such as a ramp. A winch attached to the bag moves the bottom of the bag through the bin to help push articles from the tilted bin assembly. A camera takes a video image of the articles entering the ramp to detect clumps. Stops on the ramp are selectively actuated to block the bottom-most articles in a clump to help separate articles.

An exemplary bag frame includes a framework to be inserted into and hold open a paper grocery bag which is then used as a trash/waste, sorting, collecting or storage receptacle. The bag frame includes four spaced apart vertical legs and that are configured to be inserted within the four corner edges of the paper bag. A planar upper rim connects the upper ends of the four legs and covers the upper edge of the paper bag. The bag frame resembles a small table with an almost completely open top. The vertical legs in the top rim are coupled in a snap-fit manner for easy assembly and disassembly.

A bottle pouch with an integrated fitment and inner support handle piece includes a flexible pouch in the shape of a bottle including a flexible pouch body with a handle region, and a combined fitment and inner support handle piece including a rigid handle portion extending from the combined fitment and inner support handle piece. The combined fitment and inner support handle piece is coupled to the flexible pouch. The inner support handle piece extends from the inside of the fitment and is internal to the flexible pouch body and passes from the interior to the exterior of the flexible pouch body adjacent to the handle region of the flexible pouch body to form the rigid handle portion. In another form, the inner support handle piece extends from the outside periphery of the fitment and is external to the flexible pouch body, but is secured to the periphery of the flexible pouch body with one or more outer sleeves or loops.

An article-unloading apparatus comprising a bin assembly including a bag inside a bin. The bin assembly is raised and lowered by a lift and tilted, when raised, to dump articles onto a decline conveyor, such as a ramp. A winch attached to the bag moves the bottom of the bag through the bin to help push articles from the tilted bin assembly. A camera takes a video image of the articles entering the ramp to detect clumps. Stops on the ramp are selectively actuated to block the bottom-most articles in a clump to help separate articles.

A biodegradable lawn and leaf bag support insert configured to fit inside an open and expanded standard-sized lawn and leaf bag, comprising a standard-sized lawn and leaf bag; and a foldable insert configured to fit inside the standard-sized lawn and leaf bag when the foldable insert is fully expanded; wherein the foldable insert forms a rectangular shape with a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the top edge is configured to be below a top edge of the standard-sized lawn and leaf bag; wherein the foldable insert is constructed from a semi-flexible biodegradable material.

A refuse bag insertion device. The device is primarily formed by an elongated member. The elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first fastener, while the second end includes a second fastener. The first fastener and the second fastener are complimentary to each other, so that the first fastener can be affixed to the second fastener, and vice versa. The elongated member is movable between a deployed position and a storage position. The deployed position is defined where the first fastener and the second fastener are engaged, such that a cylindrical housing is formed. One or more openings are placed through the elongated member. Each opening is dimensioned to receive a hand through the opening.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling electrically-powered trash receptacles and monitoring fullness levels. The system can include a storage enclosure and a bin contained inside the storage enclosure, the bin configured to receive and store items deposited in the storage enclosure, wherein an inside portion of the bin is at least partially covered by a bag placed inside the bin to hold the items deposited in the storage enclosure. The system can also include a sensor configured to sense a content fullness state of the bin and a processor configured to control operations performed by the sensor. In addition, the system can include a sleeve configured to be installed over an inside portion of the bin and the bag, the sleeve at least partially restricting a movement of the bag.

A bag holding system facilitates filling a plastic bag while the plastic bag is supported on a support surface, and further provides for facilitating washing of the plastic bag in a dishwasher. A base has a bottom member and two side members that extend upwardly from the base at two opposing sides thereof. A V-shaped support frame has a bottom frame and two side frames extending upwardly from the bottom frame at two opposing sides thereof. The support frame is adapted to be inserted into the baes between the two side members of the base, the base holding the support frame in a substantially upright position. A funnel has bottom panel with a fill aperture therethrough and two side panels projecting upwardly therefrom at two opposing sides of the bottom panel. Each side panel further includes an outwardly-extending flange at a top side thereof.

An apparatus for the collection of debris such as leaves and other yard debris having a flat-pack configuration and a hoop-like configuration. In a hoop-like configuration, the apparatus allows the fixation of a bag such that the bag is held open and allows the user to dispose debris through the apparatus and into the bag.