Device for positionally retaining flexible trash bag liner relative to a trash receptacle

Claim 1

A device adapted for positionally retaining an upper portion of a flexible bag liner relative to a top of a trash receptacle, said device comprising: a rim having an inner surface which defines a cavity sized and configured to accept therein at least a part of said trash receptacle top, and an exterior surface over which an upper portion of a flexible bag liner may be draped, said rim including coupling means for removably coupling said rim to said trash receptacle top; and a locking member sized and configured to lockably engage said rim so as to capture, between said rim and said locking member, said upper liner portion draped over said exterior surface of said rim, whereby said liner is positionally retained relative to said receptacle top, and wherein said rim further includes at least one pair of spaced-apart ribs, each said rib integrally formed with said rim on said inner surface thereof and projecting into said cavity defined thereby, and wherein said inner surface of said rim also establishes between said at least one pair of ribs, a channel to permit air trapped between a lower portion of said liner and a lower portion of said trash receptacle to escape to the exterior thereof.

Claim 2

A device adapted for positionally retaining an upper portion of a flexible bag liner relative to a top of a trash receptacle, said device comprising: a rim having an inner surface which defines a cavity sized and configured to accept therein at least a part of said trash receptacle top, and an exterior surface over which an upper portion of a flexible bag liner may be draped, said rim including coupling means for removably coupling said rim to said trash receptacle top; and a locking member sized and configured to lockably engage said rim so as to capture, between said rim and said locking member, said upper liner portion draped over said exterior surface of said rim, whereby said liner is positionally retained relative to said receptacle top, and wherein said rim further includes at least one pair of spaced-apart ribs, each said rib integrally formed with said rim on said inner surface thereof and projecting into said cavity defined thereby, and wherein said inner surface of said rim also establishes between said at least one pair of ribs, a channel to permit air trapped between a lower portion of said liner and a lower portion of said trash receptacle to escape to the exterior thereof.

Claim 12

A device for retaining a flexible liner in position within a receptable therefor, said device including: a rim having an interior surface defining an interior cavity adapted to being removably engageable with a top region of said receptacle and having vent means for establishing a vent which allows air trapped between said liner and said receptacle to escape therethrough to the exterior of said receptacle, said rim also having an exterior surface over which an upper region of said liner is drapable; locking means in which said rim is nestable for capturing said upper region of said liner therebetween when said rim and said locking means are in nested relationship with one another; and hinge means interconnecting said rim and said locking means for permitting said locking means to be pivotally moved relative to said rim between (i) an engaged position, wherein said rim and said locking means are in said nested relationship thereby capturing said upper region of said liner therebetween, whereby said flexible liner is positionally retained within said receptacle, and (ii) a disengaged position, wherein said rim and said locking means are separated from one another to thereby allow said liner to be removed from said receptacle, and wherein, said vent means is established by at least one pair of spaced-apart ribs, each said rib integrally formed with said rim on said interior surface thereof and projecting into said interior cavity defined thereby, said interior surface of said rim also establishing, between said at least one pair of ribs, a channel to permit air trapped between a lower portion of said liner and a lower portion of said trash receptacle to escape to the exterior thereof, whereby said trapped air is vented.

Claim 13

A device for retaining a flexible liner in position within a receptable therefor, said device including: a rim having an interior surface defining an interior cavity adapted to being removably engageable with a top region of said receptacle and having vent means for establishing a vent which allows air trapped between said liner and said receptacle to escape therethrough to the exterior of said receptacle, said rim also having an exterior surface over which an upper region of said liner is drapable; locking means in which said rim is nestable for capturing said upper region of said liner therebetween when said rim and said locking means are in nested relationship with one another; and hinge means interconnecting said rim and said locking means for permitting said locking means to be pivotally moved relative to said rim between (i) an engaged position, wherein said rim and said locking means are in said nested relationship thereby capturing said upper region of said liner therebetween, whereby said flexible liner is positionally retained within said receptacle, and (ii) a disengaged position, wherein said rim and said locking means are separated from one another to thereby allow said liner to be removed from said receptacle, and wherein, said vent means is established by at least one pair of spaced-apart ribs, each said rib integrally formed with said rim on said interior surface thereof and projecting into said interior cavity defined thereby, said interior surface of said rim also establishing, between said at least one pair of ribs, a channel to permit air trapped between a lower portion of said liner and a lower portion of said trash receptacle to escape to the exterior thereof, whereby said trapped air is vented.