U.S. patent application number 10/464136 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-15 for container and method of interconnecting and transporting multiple containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to RUBBERMAID, INC.. Invention is credited to Fernandez, Adrian, Hull, Kenneth W., Most, Tobin R., O'Brien, Sean M., Reber, Fred, Sander, David R., Scherer, Thomas W., Schneider, Stephanie K., Skov, Erik L..
Application Number | 20040007574 10/464136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29736661 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040007574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Most, Tobin R. ; et
al. |
January 15, 2004 |
Container and method of interconnecting and transporting multiple
containers
Abstract
A container is disclosed that is adapted to interconnect with
like containers. The container has a connecting device disposed on
a side wall. The connecting device is adapted to removably connect
with a portion of an adjacent container. Once connected, one of the
containers can be pulled which in turn pulls the other container
along.
Inventors: |
Most, Tobin R.; (Akron,
OH) ; Skov, Erik L.; (Akron, OH) ; Reber,
Fred; (Shreve, OH) ; Scherer, Thomas W.;
(Mansfield, OH) ; Sander, David R.; (Wooster,
OH) ; O'Brien, Sean M.; (Wooster, OH) ;
Schneider, Stephanie K.; (Wooster, OH) ; Hull,
Kenneth W.; (Wooster, OH) ; Fernandez, Adrian;
(Akron, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
RUBBERMAID, INC.
Wooster
OH
44691
|
Family ID: |
29736661 |
Appl. No.: |
10/464136 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60389616 |
Jun 18, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.4 ;
220/756 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 2001/0086 20130101;
B65F 1/1468 20130101; B65F 2210/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.4 ;
220/756 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/00; B65D
021/02; B65D 053/00; B65D 081/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container comprising: a base having a bottom panel, a
contiguous upstanding sidewall, an interior space, and an open top;
one or more wheels on or adjacent the bottom panel near a first
side of the base; a handle disposed on the first side of the base;
a connector disposed on a second side of the base, the second side
being substantially opposite to the first side; wherein the
connector is adapted to removably connect with a handle of a second
container to couple the second container to the base.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom panel of
the container and the one or more wheels ground the container when
in an upright position, and wherein only the one or more wheels
ground the container when the container is tilted in the direction
of the first side.
3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connector is
fixedly attached to the second side.
4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connector is
pivotally attached to the second side.
5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes
a pair of spaced apart connecting arms and a cross bar connected
between the connecting arms.
6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connector
comprises: a mounting fixture including a pair spaced apart bores
disposed on the second side; and a hook having a pair of spaced
apart connecting arms and a cross bar extending between the
connecting arms; wherein inserting free ends of the connecting arms
in the bores provides pivotal attachment of the hook to the
mounting fixture.
7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the handle is fixedly
attached to the first side.
8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the handle is
pivotally attached to the first side.
9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connector is
shaped to retain the handle of the second container when
connected.
10. A container according to claim 1, wherein the connector is
shaped to suspend one or more objects therefrom.
11. A container chain comprising: a plurality of containers, each
container including a base having a bottom panel, a contiguous
upstanding sidewall, one or more wheels on or adjacent the bottom
panel near a first side of the base, a handle on the first side of
the base, and a connector on a second side thereof, the first side
being substantially opposite to the second side; wherein the
connector of each container of the plurality of containers is
adapted to removably connect with the handle of the other
containers of the plurality of containers; and wherein the
plurality of containers are interconnected with one another, handle
to connector, in series so that the container chain can be moved by
manipulating an end one of the plurality of containers.
12. A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the bottom
panel and the one or more wheels of each container ground the
container when in an upright position; wherein only the one or more
wheels of each container ground the container when tilted in the
direction of the first side thereof; and wherein tilting an end one
of the plurality of containers in the direction of the first side
thereof tilts the other containers of the plurality of containers
toward the respective first sides thereof.
13. A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the connector
of each container is fixedly attached to the second side
thereof.
14. A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the connector
of each container is pivotally attached to the second side
thereof.
15. A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the connector
of each container includes a pair of spaced apart connecting arms
and a cross bar interconnecting the connecting arms.
16. A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the connector
of each container comprises: a mounting fixture including a pair
spaced apart bores disposed on the second side; and a hook having a
pair of spaced apart connecting arms and a cross bar extending
between the connecting arms; wherein inserting free ends of the
connecting arms in the bores provides pivotal attachment of the
hook to the mounting fixture.
17. A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the handle of
each container is fixedly attached to the first side thereof.
18. A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the handle of
each container is pivotally attached to the first side thereof.
19. A container chain according to claim 11, wherein the connector
of each container is shaped to retain the handle of any one of the
other containers of the plurality of containers when connected.
20. A method of moving a plurality of containers, the method
comprising: providing a handle on a first side of each container
and a connector on a second side of each container, the second side
being substantially opposite the first side, each container
including a base having a bottom panel, a contiguous upstanding
sidewall, an interior space, an open top, and one or more wheels on
or adjacent the bottom panel near the first side of the base;
removably connecting the handle of each container to the connector
of an adjacent container of the plurality of containers, wherein
the handle of a first container and the connector of a last
container of the plurality of containers are not connected to
another container of the plurality of containers; and moving the
plurality of containers by moving an end one of the plurality of
containers.
21. A method of moving a plurality of containers according to claim
20, the step of moving comprising: tilting the end one of the
plurality of containers in the direction of the first side thereof,
wherein only the one or more wheels of the end one container ground
the end one container, the tilting causing each of the plurality of
containers to tilt in the direction of their respective sides; and
moving the plurality of containers by moving the end one container
of the plurality of containers.
22. A method of moving a plurality of containers according to claim
20, the step of moving further comprising pushing the end one of
the plurality of containers.
23. A method of moving a plurality of containers according to claim
20, the step of moving further comprising pulling the end one of
the plurality of containers.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
application Serial No. 60/389,616, filed Jun. 18, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to trash containers,
receptacles, and the like, and more particularly to such a
container adapted to interconnect with like containers and to a
method of interconnecting and transporting multiple containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Certain types of trash containers are known to be relatively
large in size in order to hold several loads of trash transferred
from smaller household receptacles. Such containers are typically
suited for outdoor use, as the containers are often stored outside
and are left near a street for trash pick up. These containers,
when fully loaded, can be quite heavy and cumbersome to move from a
storage location to a street or pick up location.
[0004] Various methods and constructions have been devised to
reduce the weight and to ease transportability of such containers.
Many of these trash containers are now made from plastic materials
utilizing a suitable molding process. Plastic containers are
relatively light weight when compared to older steel trash cans.
However, when fully loaded, the plastic containers can still be
difficult to transport from one location to another. The containers
must either be lifted or dragged between locations.
[0005] A number of trash containers are now available with wheels
on one edge of their bottom surface to permit the containers to be
pulled from one location to another. Transporting such a container
is relatively easy. The container is simply tipped to one side to
rest only on the wheels and then pulled by a handle and rolled on
the wheels. Such a container can also be pushed in this manner.
However, it can be awkward to push and properly steer a fully
loaded container of this type from behind.
[0006] Many users try to save time and energy by moving two
containers of this type at the same time between locations. This
can be difficult because, in order for each container to roll
properly, one must be pushed from behind and one must be pulled
along at the same time. A user typically has a difficult time
steering the forward or pushed container and pulling the rear
container in the same time. This is particularly true where the
containers are being moved over an irregular surface. It can be
difficult to maintain control over both containers when the wheels
of the front container encounter a bump. The containers can tip
over or veere out of control easily. Further, it is nearly
impossible to move more than two of these wheeled containers at the
same time because all of the containers cannot be moved along the
same travel path. Thus, all of the sets of wheels cannot roll in a
straight path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent upon reading the following description in
conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of two trash
containers constructed and interconnected in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of one of the containers shown in FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of one of the containers shown in
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
container taken from Circle IV in FIG. 1 and with a portion of the
interconnecting device removed.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a wire hook
portion of the interconnecting device shown removed from the
container shown in FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of three interconnected trash
containers as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the trash containers
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with a smaller trash bag hanging from the
interconnecting device.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of another example
of a trash container constructed in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of another example of a wire hook
portion of an interconnecting device shown prior to its
installation on a container.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a front view of the wire hook portion shown in
FIG. 9.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a top view of the wire hook portion shown in FIG.
9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present disclosure is for containers and methods that
solve or improve upon one or more of the above-noted problems. A
container is disclosed that is adapted to interconnect with one or
more additional containers so that the interconnected containers
can be pulled or pushed in a train or chain. The disclosed
container constructions and methods permit more than two of such
containers to be moved at the same time. The disclosed containers
and methods also permit all of the interconnected containers to
either be pushed or pulled together in the same direction. This
keeps all of the containers in the same travel path and assists in
preventing one or more of the containers from tipping over.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a pair of trash
containers 10 that are interconnected with one another in series,
similar to a train. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate that the containers 10 can be any type of container for
storing and/or transporting a variety of materials. In the
disclosed example, however, the container 10 is a trash container
that is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and is
typically used to store and transport trash. FIGS. 2 and 3
illustrate one of the containers 10 in side and front view. In the
disclosed example, each of the containers 10 shown in FIG. 1 are
identical with one another. However, as will be evident to those
having ordinary skill in the art, the containers need not be
identical, but instead can be different in general construction and
shape and yet be capable of interconnection as shown.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each container 10 generally has
a base 11 with a bottom panel 12 and an upstanding contiguous side
wall 14 extending upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel. The
side wall 14 is generally shaped as a cylinder. In this example,
the side wall 14 has four panels 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d defining a
substantially rectangular cylinder, though with rounded corners
between each pair of interconnected side panels 16. One of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appreciate that the side wall 14 can
be shaped in any manner desired to provide an enclosed volume for
storing and/or transporting trash or other materials. For instance,
the side wall 14 can be oval, square, rectangular, cone, octagonal,
or pyramidal in shape, or be configured having any shape and yet
fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
[0022] The side wall 14 has a top edge (not shown) that defines a
top opening (not shown) providing access to an interior storage
space 18. A lid 20 is provided that can positively seat with or
latch onto the top edge of the side wall to cover the top opening.
The interior storage space 18 is found within the enclosure defined
by the side wall 14, bottom panel 12, and lid 20. One of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appreciate that the lid can also be
attached to the top edge of the side wall 14 with a hinge to
facilitate access to the storage space 18 without having to remove
the lid 20.
[0023] In this example, the container carries a pair of wheels 22
freely rotatable and supported on axles 24 secured to the container
in a suitable fashion. The wheels are adapted to either rest
slightly above or barely touching a ground surface "G" when the
container 10 rests on its bottom panel 12. This is to insure that
the container has stability when standing upright and does not
inadvertently roll when left unattended. The wheels are also
adapted to touch the ground surface "G" and to lift or raise all
other container components above the ground when tilted for
transporting, as shown in FIG. 1 and described below. One of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the
container 10 can also include additional wheels to provide
transporting the container 10 without tilting thereof. For
instance, the container 10 can include a wheel disposed at each
corner of the bottom panel 12 for a total of four wheels.
Accordingly, the container 10 can be maintained in an upright
position and moved without having to be tilted. In such a case,
however, one or more of the wheels may include a braking device
that when activated prevents movement of the container 10 when
placed on an inclined or uneven surface.
[0024] In this example, the container 10 also has a U-shaped handle
26 extending from the side wall 14, in this case, the rear side
panel 16c. The handle 26 can be connected to the container either
so that it cannot move or so that it can rotate or pivot at its
ends 28 coupled to the side wall. The handle 26 in either example
has a cross bar 30 adapted to be grasped by a user. The handle 26
is affixed or can be rotated to an orientation with the cross bar
30 extended upward and spaced from the container side wall, as is
shown in FIG. 2. In this way, the handle 26 can either be easily
grasped by a user and used to pull or push the container when being
transported, or be used to interconnect with an adjacent container
when desired. The pivotable handle 26 in this example permits the
handle to rotate to the most natural handle/grip position for the
user, depending on the tilt angle of the container. The handle 26
may also be shaped or have a soft grip material to provide better
gripping therof by a user without being uncomfortable to hold.
[0025] In this example and in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention, the disclosed container 10 also has an
interconnect device 40 disposed on a side of the side wall 14
opposite the handle 26. In this example, the device 40 is
positioned on the front side panel 16a. The disclosed interconnect
device 40 includes a pair of spaced apart mounting fixtures 42
provided on the side wall 14. The device 40 also includes a steel
wire hook 44 that can double as a second handle for the container
10.
[0026] Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting fixtures, in this
example, each have a cut out or hollowed out region 46 in the side
wall 14. Each region 46 terminates at an end wall 48, wherein the
end walls 48 of the respective region 46 are angled relative to
each other and to a plane perpendicular to the side wall, and face
outward away from one another to a predetermined depth. A blind
bore 50 is formed in each of the end walls 48, wherein the blind
bores 50 extend toward one another. The mounting fixtures 42
disclosed and described herein are illustrative only. As will be
evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, other mounting
configurations and constructions for an interconnecting device can
be provided within the scope and spirit of the teachings of the
present disclosure.
[0027] The disclosed wire hook 44 has a cross bar 52 extending
between a pair of spaced apart connecting arms 54. Each connecting
arm 54 terminates at an in-turned segment 56. The in-turned
segments 56 in this example are oriented generally parallel and
co-linear with one another and generally perpendicular to their
respective connecting arms 54. The connecting arms 54 are concavely
curved facing upward to define the hook shape of the wire hook
44.
[0028] To assemble the device 40, the connecting arms 54 are
physically spread apart and the in-turned segments 56 are inserted
one each into the corresponding blind bores 50. The wire hook 44
can thus be installed and removed as desired as an accessory to the
container in this example. When installed, the wire hook 44 can be
rotated about the in-turned segments 56 within the blind bores 50.
The cross bar 52 can be utilized as a second handle for the
container.
[0029] The container 10 can be moved by being tipped onto the
wheels 22. A user typically pulls the handle 26 toward himself and
downward to tip the container 10 onto the wheels 22. Once the
container 10 is tipped onto the wheels 22, the bottom panel 12 does
not touch the ground surface "G", and the container 10 can be
easily transported by the wheels 22. One of ordinary skill in the
art will readily appreciate that the angle of the tilting can vary
depending on, for example, the height of the user, the size and
weight of the objects inside the container 10, and/or the condition
of the ground surface "G" on which the container is transported.
Accordingly, a user can typically adjust the angle of the tilting
when transporting the container to provide a balanced load and
comfort.
[0030] Turning to FIGS. 1 and 6, a plurality of the containers 10
can be interconnected and pulled or pushed in series. To
interconnect one container with another, a first container can be
tipped onto its wheels 22 with the handle 26 facing downward. The
cross bar 30 of the handle 26 is then rested on the curved
connecting arms 54 of the wire hook 44 of an adjacent container 10.
As shown in FIG. 6, a third container 10 can then be tipped and the
handle 26 rested on the exposed wire hook 44 of a previously
interconnected container 10. Additional containers can be likewise
interconnected, if desired. The exposed handle 26 of the end most
container (shown as the left side container in FIGS. 1 and 6) can
be grasped by a user. The train of containers 10 can then be pulled
or pushed as desired in order to transport the multiple containers
10 at the same time. Pulling multiple linked containers may be
easier than pushing them, but the invention is not limited to only
pulling the container chain. One of ordinary skill in the art will
readily appreciate that for containers that include four wheels and
do not require tipping onto the wheels for transport, pulling or
pushing of a chain of containers 10 does not require tipping the
containers onto their respective wheels.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, the wire hook 44 can be utilized to hang
one or more additional trash bags 60, store trash container liners,
or the like when not being used to transport multiple containers
10. The wire hook 44 in this example can also be removed from the
container 10 if desired. One of ordinary skill in the art will
readily appreciate that a variety of household items and tools can
also be suspended from the hook 44. For instance, a user can
suspend gardening and yard tools from the hook 44 when working in a
garden and placing garden refuse or debris in the container 10. In
another example, a broom and a dust pan can be suspended from the
hook 44.
[0032] The positioning of the wire hook 44 and the handle 26 on
each container can be varied to achieve different results. To
achieve a desired tilt angle of interconnected containers, the
height of the handle 26 and wire hook 44 relative to one another
can be varied as desired. In the disclosed example, the wire hook
44 is positioned at a lower elevation than the cross bar 30 of the
handle in order to permit the tipped, interconnected container 10
to reach an over-center condition. This will keep the handle 26
resting on the wire hook and prevent the tipped container from
returning to an upright position when unattended.
[0033] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the
art, the interconnecting device 40 can vary considerably from the
example shown and described herein. For example, the hook 44 can be
formed from alternative materials, other than the disclosed steel
wire, or can be replaced by an integrally molded hook element 70 as
shown in FIG. 8. The hook element 70 is affixed to the side wall 14
and can be integrally molded therewith, if desired. Such a hook
element 70 would not be removable or pivotable. Also, the mounting
fixtures could be molded as protrusions instead of as cut out
regions as shown herein. Further, the hook element need not have a
cross bar 52, but instead can include two separate hooks for
connecting with the handle 26 and for stability.
[0034] To illustrate another alternative example, FIGS. 9-11 show a
different configuration of a wire hook 80 that can replace the hook
44 described above. In this example, the hook 80 has a pair of
in-turned segments 82 extending inward toward one another from
respective spaced apart legs 84. The legs extend upward from
respective connecting arms 86. A cross bar 88 extends laterally
between the connecting arms 86. In this example, the cross bar 88
is upwardly curved to define a "hook" that will retain a handle of
an adjacent container rested on the connecting arms. The cross bar
88 also has a rearwardly extending portion 90 that extends back in
the direction of the legs 84. The portion 90 will assist in
retaining a handle 26 on the hook 80 by capturing the handle cross
bar 30 between the portion 90, the connecting arms 86, the cross
bar 88, and the legs 84. The hook 80 would attached to the
container by using the segments 82 in the same manner as the
segments 56 described above.
[0035] Also, the disclosed interconnectable containers can be
fabricated from any material as desired without departing from the
spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, completely different
devices can be utilized for interconnecting two adjacent
containers. Hook and loop (VELCRO.RTM.) fasteners can be utilized
to removably interconnect adjacent containers. For example, a hook
or loop strap can be provided on one side of each container base
and a corresponding loop or hook strap can be provided on the
opposite side of the base. Alternatively, hook and loop pads can be
affixed to protruding objects such as handles of each container. As
a further alternative, a strap having a hook and loop portions can
be connected to one side of each container. The strap can wrap
around a handle or an opposite side of an adjacent container and
secure itself to maintain the wrapped arrangement.
[0036] Although certain container configurations and methods have
been disclosed and described herein in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention, the scope of coverage of this
patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers
all embodiments of the teachings of the invention that fairly fall
within the scope of permissible equivalents.
* * * * *