On-Board Trash Tote

Abstract

An easily attachable/detachable bag for use in conjunction with household vacuuming. The bag features a pouch that opens when the user applies pressure or squeezes opposite ends, and seals shut once the user releases the pressure or squeezing. The bag is easily attached/detached to device such as a vacuum by use of a hook-and-loop fastener.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture comprising: a. a pouch; b. opposing side seams: b. a casing; c. a plurality of opposing flexible bands for securing the top of said pouch; and d. a double-sided hook-and-loop fastener.

2. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said pouch is comprised of a top and bottom end and opposing sides.

3. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said pouch further includes the opposing side seams.

4. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said pouch further includes a the casing attached to its top end.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein said casing contains an open interior and closed ends.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 5, wherein said open interior receives e the plurality of opposing flexible hands.

7. The article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein the fastener is further comprised of opposing ends attached in one of the opposing side seams at the top end of the pouch substantially near the opposing sides of the pouch.

Description

DRAWINGSFIGURES

[0004] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention

[0005] FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, depicting the opening on the top

[0006] FIG. 3 is a side view cross-section of the present invention

DRAWINGSLIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0007] 110pouch

[0008] 112casing

[0009] 114opposing flexible bands

[0010] 116double-sided hook-and-loop tape

[0011] 118side seam

[0012] 210pouch

[0013] 212casing

[0014] 214opposing flexible bands

[0015] 216double-sided hook-and-loop tape

[0016] 218side seam

[0017] 310pouch

[0018] 312casing

[0019] 314opposing flexible bands

[0020] 316double-sided hook-and-loop tape

[0021] 318side seam

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment FIG. 1

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a front view of one version of the present invention. A pouch (110) is connected to an end portion of a strip of double-sided hook-and-loop tape (116), attached in the side seam (118) of a pouch. The double-sided hook-and-loop tape (116) is captured/sewn into the side seam (118). The opposite end of the double-sided hook-and-loop tape (116) is then attached to the vacuum. A casing (112) forms the top portion of said pouch (110). The casing holds opposing flexible bands (114) inside. The opposing flexible bands (114) snap tight to form a closure at the top of the pouch. When ready to use, a user simply squeezes the opposite sides of the pouch (110), relieving the tension in the opposing flexible bands (114) and allowing the pouch (110) to open and receive waste, toys, lint, etc.

First Embodiment FIG. 2

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a front view of one version of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the top half of the pouch (210) is shown in an open position, whereby a user has squeezed the opposite sides of the pouch (210), and relieved the tension on the opposing flexible bands (214) contained within the casing (212), allowing the top of a pouch (210) to open and receive items. A strip of double-sided hook-and-loop tape (216) is displayed protruding from the side seam (218) of said pouch (210).

First Embodiment FIG. 3

[0024] FIG. 3 shows an open side view of one version of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a pouch (310) is displayed with one its sides open to display an interior view. The ends of a casing (312) are displayed in an open position to demonstrate the interior view. One flexible band (314) is contained in each casing (312), thus providing the invention with two opposing flexible bands (314) that close sua sponte, due to their inherent tension. A double-sided hook-and-loop tape (316) is shown attached in the side seam (318) at the opposite closed end/side of a pouch (310), allowing a user to hang the invention on a device such as a vacuum for ease of use.

[0025] Operation

[0026] The present invention consists of a pouch (110), casing (112), opposing flexible bands (114), double-sided hook-and-loop tape (116), and opposing side seam (118). To operate the present invention, a user first hangs or attaches the invention to a device such as a vacuum, using the double-sided hook-and-loop tape (116). The double-sided hook-and-loop tape (116) is attached in the side seam (118) of a pouch. The double-sided hook-and-loop tape (116) makes for easy attachment and detachment. When ready to place items in the pouch (110), the user simply squeezes the opposite sides of the pouch (110).

[0027] This squeezing action causes tension to be released from the opposing flexible bands (114) and the top of the pouch (110) now opens to receive items. The casing (112) surrounding the opposing flexible bands (114) keeps the opposing flexible bands (114) secure and contained within the top of the pouch (110). Now that the top of the pouch (110) is open, the user may place items in the pouch (110). Once the user has finished placing items in the pouch (110), the user simply releases the opposite ends of the pouch (110), and the inherent tension in the opposing flexible bands (114) causes the top of the pouch (110) to close, creating a sealed top to the pouch (110) and preventing the items from spilling out of the pouch (110). When ready to empty the contents of the pouch (110) into a proper waste receptacle or other proper unit, the user detaches the double-sided hook-and-loop tape (116), and simply repeats the process of squeezing the opposite sides of the pouch (110) and releasing the tension on the opposing flexible bands (114). The user then empties the pouch and releases the opposite ends of the pouch (110) and the top of the pouch (110) is now closed.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0028] Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the present invention provides a lightweight, user-friendly, economical device that may be used by persons of any age. The present invention is small, easily attached, time-saving, convenient, disposable or reusable, easily opened and closed, and attractive. While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the size of the pouch may range in size, the color may be different, the material comprising the pouch may be of a nature that is reusable or disposable, the casing may be of a different color or material than the pouch, the opposing flexible bands may be manufactured of various materials, and the length and size of the double-sided hook-and-loop tape may vary. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.