Bag expander

Claim 2

In a belt, the combination of: a strap formed into a closed loop with the opposite ends of the strap overlapping; a collar embracing the overlapping strap ends with a given clearance between a first portion on the inner surface of the collar and the overlapping strap ends; and a clamping member having a clamping portion extending into the collar from one end thereof into the clearance space between the inner surface of the collar and the overlapping strap ends, said clamping member having a handle portion extending outward from the collar to swing about the clamping portion as a pivot between a release position and a clamping position, said handle portion extending laterally from the overlapping strap ends at its release position and extending generally axially of the loop at its clamping position, said clamping portion having a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the first cross-sectional dimension at an angle relative to the first cross-sectional dimension, the first cross-sectional dimension of the clamping portion being interposed between the two straps and said first portion of the inner surface of the collar at the release position of the handle portion, the second cross-sectional dimension of the clamping portion being interposed between the two straps and said first portion of the inner surface of the collar at the clamping position of the clamping member, said second cross-sectional dimension being sufficiently greater than the thickness of said clearance to cause the clamping portion to clamp the overlapping strap ends against a second portion of the inner surface of the collar opposite from said first portion at the clamping position of the clamping member.

Claim 3

In a receptacle for trash or the like, the combination of: an upright paper bag with an open upper end; a flexible plastic strap formed into a loop with overlapping ends and positioned wholly inside the paper bag near the upper open end thereof; and securing means releasably holding the overlapping ends of the strap together, said paper bag being sufficiently stiff to be not only self-supporting in its upright position but also to support the weight of the strap loop, said strap loop acting under circumferential compression to hold the open upper end of the bag open and to place the open upper end of the bag under sufficient circumferential tension to cause the paper bag to support the strap loop solely by frictional contact between the loop and the bag.

Claim 4

In a receptacle for trash or the like, the combination of: an upright paper bag with an open upper end; a flexible plastic strap formed into a loop with overlapping ends and positioned wholly inside the paper bag near the upper open end thereof; and securing means releasably holding the overlapping ends of the strap together, said paper bag being sufficiently stiff to be not only self-supporting in its upright position but also to support the weight of the strap loop, said strap loop acting under circumferential compression to hold the open upper end of the bag open and to place the open upper end of the bag under sufficient circumferential tension to cause the paper bag to support the strap loop solely by frictional contact between the loop and the bag.

Claim 5

A combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said securing means releasably clamps the overlapping ends together to permit infinite adjustment in the dimension of the loop.

Claim 6

A combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said securing means comprises: a collar embracing the two overlapping ends transversely thereof; and A clamping member extending into the collar and being adjustable to exert pressure outwardly against a first portion of the inner surface of the collar and pressure inwardly against the two overlapping strap ends to clamp the two strap ends against a second portion of the inner surface of the collar that is opposite from the first portion.

Claim 7

In a device for positioning inside the open end of a paper bag to expand the open end and enable the bag to stand upright to serve as a self-supporting receptacle, the combination of: a flexible strap forming a closed loop with its opposite ends overlapping; and securing means releasably clamping the overlapping ends of the strap together to permit infinite adjustment in the dimension of the loop to fit into bags of various girth dimensions, said securing means further including a clamping member extending into the collar and adjustable to exert pressure outwardly against a first portion of the inner surface of the collar and pressure inwardly against the two overlapping strap ends to clamp the two strap ends against a second portion of the inner surface of the collar that is opposite from the first portion, said clamping member having a clamping portion extending into the collar from one end thereof and a handle portion extending outwardly from the collar laterally thereof, said clamping portion having a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the first cross-sectional dimension at an angle relative to the first cross-sectional dimension, said handle portion being swingable about the clamping portion as a pivot between a release position extending laterally from the overlapping strap ends at which the first cross-sectional dimension of the clamping portion is interposed between a portion of the inner surface of the collar and the two overlapping strap ends, first cross-sectional dimension of the clamping portion being interposed between the two straps and said first portion of the inner surface of the collar at the release position of the handle portion, said second cross-sectional dimension being of a magnitude to place the collar under substantial stress for clamping action against the overlapping strap ends at the clamping position of the handle portion.

Claim 8

In a device for positioning inside the open end of a paper bag to expand the open end and enable the bag to stand upright to serve as a self-supporting receptacle, the combination of: a flexible strap forming a closed loop with its opposite ends overlapping; and securing means releasably clamping the overlapping ends of the strap together to permit infinite adjustment in the dimension of the loop to fit into bags of various girth dimensions, said securing means further including a clamping member extending into the collar and adjustable to exert pressure outwardly against a first portion of the inner surface of the collar and pressure inwardly against the two overlapping strap ends to clamp the two strap ends against a second portion of the inner surface of the collar that is opposite from the first portion, said clamping member having a clamping portion extending into the collar from one end thereof and a handle portion extending outwardly from the collar laterally thereof, said clamping portion having a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension substantially greater than the first cross-sectional dimension at an angle relative to the first cross-sectional dimension, said handle portion being swingable about the clamping portion as a pivot between a release position extending laterally from the overlapping strap ends at which the first cross-sectional dimension of the clamping portion is interposed between a portion of the inner surface of the collar and the two overlapping strap ends, first cross-sectional dimension of the clamping portion being interposed between the two straps and said first portion of the inner surface of the collar at the release position of the handle portion, said second cross-sectional dimension being of a magnitude to place the collar under substantial stress for clamping action against the overlapping strap ends at the clamping position of the handle portion.

Claim 9

A combination as set forth in claim 5 in which said handle portion extends generally axially of the loop at its clamping position and is shaped and dimensioned to engage support means such as a nail on a wall to suspend the open bag.

Claim 10

A combination as set forth in claim 5 in which said clamping means is a bent strip of flat metal stock.

Claim 11

A combination as set forth in claim 5 in which said clamping member is a piece of stiff wire of generally C-shaped configuration having one of its arms extending into the collar to serve as the clamping portion, the other arm serving as the handle portion, said clamping portion of the wire having an offset to provide said second cross-sectional dimension.

Claim 12

A combination as set forth in claim 5 in which said handle portion extends at an acute angle from the second cross-sectional dimension of the clamping portion to cause the second cross-sectional dimension to swing past center relative to said portion of the inner surface of the collar when the handle portion is swung from its release position to its clamping position, whereby the clamping member tends to snap into its clamping position and is biased to maintain its clamping position by the tension of the collar.

Claim 13

A combination as set forth in claim 5 in which said collar is attached to one of the two ends of the strap.

Claim 14

A combination as set forth in claim 10 which includes a second collar freely slidable along the overlapping strap ends to keep the overlapping strap ends together.