Inventor Penny Zima and daughter, Mickey Jo, with the new Bag-A-Lot. |
Necessity is the mother of invention for Antigo pair, it's called Bag-A-Lot Sept. 3, 2008 What started as a homespun way to stash recyclables has developed into a clever invention—with great potential—for Trace and Penny Zima of Antigo.
Bag-A-Lot is a portable, multi-purpose flexible bag holder that is lightweight and eliminates the need for bulky containers.
“Sales are going pretty well,” Penny Zima, who operates PennyZ’s Party Town on Neva Road, said. “It’s one of those things that people understand the need for once they get one and use it.”
The development of Bag-A-Lot dates back almost 10 years, after a particularly onerous time trying to tug a garbage bag filled with aluminum recyclables out of a garbage can. The bag was too heavy to lift, and when it was finally detached from the can it often was torn or only half full.
“I got frustrated,” Zima said.
So her husband, Trace, cut the bottom out of a five gallon bucket, and hung plastic garbage bags from the rim. That worked, but the payday came when Penny Zima decided to create an embroider-hoop type rim, easy to open and close with two circular snaps and eliminating the need to fish the bag through the bucket.
“It was a light bulb moment,” she said. “With Bag-A-Lot it is simple. All I do with any size garbage bag, 13 gallon to 55 gallon, is securely clip the mouth of the bag into the locking ring and that is it.”
The couple originally used Bag-A-Lot for recycling but discovered that when they added a handle, it became great for yard work or roadside cleanup.
“With the included bungee cord which stores in the handle, Bag-A-Lot is great for tossing in your vehicle or camper.” Zima said. “Using the bungee, you can easily strap it to any post or tree while camping, boating, fishing and get-togethers on the back deck.”
The product has now expanded from basic black to colors, including neon green, and even green and gold. It is manufactured by Nicolet Plastics in Mountain with the bungee cord, containers and even the website all American-designed and made.
“My husband and I believe strongly in America. With so many items made outside this country, we insisted that Bag-A-Lot be manufactured in America,” Zima said. “We are hooked on Bag-A-Lot and we believe many other people will benefit from this product.”
The Zimas just returned from marketing Bag-A-Lot at the Wisconsin State Fair, with an enthusiastic reception. It is available locally at PennyZ Party Town, Brickners RV Center, Builder’s Service Inc. in Elcho, Indian Shores Resort, KC Bagels, Kramer’s Building Supply in Deerbrook, Lucht Trucking LLC/Farm Stop, Satellite Specialists and World of Wood.
Bag-A-Lot may also be ordered at www.2BAGALOT.com. There are discounts available for larger orders.
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