referring to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views , there is shown a portable non - rigid container carrier comprising three components : a rigid member ( 1 ) preferably a straight rod or tube having opposed ends , end caps ( 2 ) carefully fitted to the dimensions of the ends of rigid member ( 1 ) preferably composed of a rubber - like material , and a retaining bands ( 3 ) preferably composed of an elastic material . component 1 . the preferred embodiment of the rod ( 1 ) is a hollow rod or tube composed of any suitable material such as metal ( e . g . aluminum ), plastic ( e . g . polyvinyl chloride ), or composite ( e . g . carbon fiber ). the strength of the rod ( 1 ) should be sufficient to resist bending under the maximum expected load . the optimum length of the rod ( 1 ) is dependent on the size of the opening of the container , such as a plastic bag ( 4 ), for which it is to serve as a handle . if the rod ( 1 ) is too short , the handle will not keep the container ( 4 ) open to a convenient width ; if the rod ( 1 ) is too long , the tension along the opening is likely to tear the container ( 4 ). the optimum length is approximately ¼th of the circumference of the container &# 39 ; s opening ( 7 ). a rod ( 1 ) intended for use with different sized containers must have a length that is adjustable . the cross - sectional area of the rod ( 1 ) preferably allows it to fit comfortably in the hand . the cross - sectional dimensions of the ends of the rod ( 1 ) are such as to allow an entrapment area ( 5 ) sufficient to prevent slippage of or perforation of the container ( 4 ). component 2 . caps ( 2 ) are used at each end of the rigid member ( 1 ) in order to entrap the container ( 4 ). if the caps ( 2 ) are to be fitted on the outside of the rigid member ( 1 ), they should have an inside diameter that is determined by the outside diameter of the corresponding end of rigid member ( 1 ) and the thickness of the material of the container ( 4 ). the inside diameter of the caps ( 2 ) should be small enough to hold the edge ( 6 ) of an entrapped container ( 4 ) by friction but not so small that it cannot be inserted over and removed from the end of the rod ( 1 ) by hand . the length of the overlap between the rod ( 1 ) and the cap ( 2 ) is important . if the length of the overlap is too short , the cap ( 2 ) is likely to be pulled off by a loaded container ( 4 ); if the length of the overlap is too long , the cap may be difficult to insert or the container ( 4 ) may tear along the length of the entrapment ( 5 ). the outside diameter and shape of the cap ( 2 ) should make it easy to grasp , pull , and twist by hand . the cap ( 2 ) can be made of any suitable material , but a flexible material , such as rubber , is preferable . the flexibility of a rubber cap ( 2 ) allows it to accommodate to various container thicknesses and is easy to grip by hand . the wall thickness of the overlapping portion of the cap ( 2 ) is determined by the physical properties of the cap material : the more flexible the material , the thicker the wall must be ; the less flexible , the thinner the wall must be . the material must be strong enough not to tear under load yet flexible enough not to cause the container ( 4 ) to tear . if a hollow rod ( tube ) is chosen for the rigid member ( 1 ), end caps ( 2 ) can be configured to fit inside ( rather than outside ) the rod ( 1 ). also , end caps ( 2 ) can be configured to fit both inside and outside the rod ( 1 ) to maximize the area of frictional contact between the container ( 4 ), the caps ( 2 ), and the rod ( 1 ). component 3 . the third component of the carrier is means for detachably securing the caps ( 2 ) to the ends of the rod ( 1 ). in the embodiments shown in the drawings , the retaining means comprise an elastic band ( 3 ) attached at one end to each of the caps ( 2 ) and at the other end to the rod ( 1 ) ( fig1 - 4 ) or a single elastic band ( 3 ) extending within the hollow rod ( 1 ) and attached at either end to one of the caps ( 2 ) ( fig5 - 8 ). the retaining band ( 3 ) serves three purposes . first , it holds the caps ( 2 ) in place when the carrier is not in use preventing their loss . second , it allows the caps ( 2 ) to be removed temporarily while the edge ( 6 ) of the container ( 4 ) is draped over the end of the rod ( 1 ). third , the retaining band ( 3 ) helps keep the caps ( 2 ) in place while the carrier is in use . the retaining band ( 3 ) should be strong enough to hold the cap ( 2 ) in place but elastic enough to allow the cap ( 2 ) to be removed from the end of the rod ( 1 ) with minimal effort . the retaining band ( 3 ) should be attached to the cap ( 2 ) and the rod ( 1 ) in such a way not to interfere with the procedure of entrapment nor should its placement interfere with the use of the rod ( 1 ) as a handle . one method of attaching the retaining band ( 3 ) is to place it externally near each end of the rod ( 1 ) ( fig1 - 4 ); another method is to place it in the cavity of a hollow rod ( fig5 - 8 ). step 1 . remove one end cap ( 2 ) from the rod ( 1 ). step 2 . drape a portion of the open edge of the container ( 6 ) over one end of the rod ( 1 ). step 3 . press the end cap ( 2 ) into place with a twisting motion , entrapping a portion ( 5 ) between the inside of the cap ( 2 ) and the outside of the rod ( 1 ). step 5 . pull the edge of the container ( 6 ) along the length of the rod ( 1 ) and over its other end . step 6 . press the other end cap ( 2 ) into place with a twisting motion , entrapping another portion ( 5 ) the container &# 39 ; s edge ( 6 ) at the other end of the rod ( 1 ). the rod ( 1 ) is now the handle for carrying the container ( 4 ). the non - rigid container ( 4 ) will drape downward from either side of the rod ( 1 ) keeping the container ( 4 ) open ( 7 ) for insertion of articles or material . once the container ( 4 ) is filled , both end caps ( 2 ) are removed with a twisting motion to release the container . steps 1 - 6 can be repeated for additional containers .
a simple , portable carrier for a non - rigid container such as a plastic bag or sack that permits container to remain open for filling with articles or materials while serving as a carrying handle , especially suitable for highway crew members cleaning debris over long stretches of roadway . device is comprised of a rigid member such as a hollow rod , snug - fitting end caps , and end cap retaining bands . a segment of the open end of container is entrapped at each end of rigid member and held in place by friction between end caps and each end of rigid member . the device is reusable and is small enough to be carried in a pocket or on a belt loop .