U.S. patent application number 10/356814 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-05 for garbage receptacle.
Invention is credited to Smith, Curtis Lee.
Application Number | 20040149761 10/356814 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32770881 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040149761 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, Curtis Lee |
August 5, 2004 |
Garbage receptacle
Abstract
A garbage receptacle that has a body having an inner surface, an
outer surface positioned oppositely to the inner surface, a top
end, a bottom end positioned oppositely to the top end, an opening
located about the top end, the body being positioned between the
top end and the bottom end. At least one aerodynamic feature is
positioned about the body of the garbage receptacle wherein the at
least one aerodynamic feature operates to re-direct air blowing
about the garbage receptacle to thereby prevent the air from
substantially moving the garbage receptacle out of position or from
blowing the garbage receptacle away.
Inventors: |
Smith, Curtis Lee; (Bedford
Heights, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THEODORE P. CUMMINGS
4117 W. 8TH STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45205
US
|
Family ID: |
32770881 |
Appl. No.: |
10/356814 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/630 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/14 20130101; B65F
1/1468 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/630 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A garbage receptacle, comprising: A body having an inner
surface, an outer surface positioned oppositely to the inner
surface, a top end, a bottom end positioned oppositely to the top
end, an opening located about the top end, the body being
positioned between the top end and the bottom end; and at least one
aerodynamic feature positioned about the body of the garbage
receptacle wherein the at least one aerodynamic feature operates to
re-direct air blowing about the garbage receptacle to thereby
prevent the air from substantially moving the garbage receptacle
out of position.
2. The garbage receptacle of claim 1 wherein at least two
aerodynamic features are positioned on the outer surface of the
body.
3. The garbage receptacle of claim 1 wherein the aerodynamic
feature is a wing positioned adjacent near to the top end of the
body.
4. The garbage receptacle of claim 1 wherein the aerodynamic
feature is a dual-wing substantially positioned adjacent to the top
end of the body.
5. The garbage receptacle of claim 1 wherein the garbage receptacle
remains substantially immovable within air flowing at between about
5 mph to about 80 mph.
6. The garbage receptacle of claim 5 wherein the garbage receptacle
remains substantially immovable within air flowing at between about
10 mph to about 50 mph.
7. The garbage receptacle of claim 6 wherein the garbage receptacle
remains substantially immovable within air flowing at between about
15 mph to about 35 mph.
8. The garbage receptacle of claim 1 wherein the garbage receptacle
further comprises an upright position that substantially resists
movement from the flow of air.
9. The garbage receptacle of claim 8 in the upright position
wherein the body substantially resists blow-over.
10. The garbage receptacle of claim 1 wherein the garbage
receptacle further comprises a laying position that substantially
resists movement from the flow of air.
11. The garbage receptacle of claim 10 wherein the garbage
receptacle substantially resists roll-over from the flow of air.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention herein is a garbage receptacle that has at
least one aerodynamic feature positioned about the body of the
garbage receptacle wherein the at least one aerodynamic feature
operates to re-direct air blowing about the garbage receptacle to
thereby prevent the air from substantially moving the garbage
receptacle out of position, i.e., from blowing the garbage
receptacle down or away.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The problem of falling and lost trash receptacles is nearly
as ancient as the home owner herself. No two worse scenes for the
home owner exist than to see her trash cans blown over with trash
dispersed to the four winds all over her yard, and subsequently
fielded like a buffet line for the local vermin; or when, after a
full day's work, the home owner comes home to find her trash
receptacles either completely missing because they have been blown
down the proverbial street or blown into the middle of said street
just in time for rush hour traffic.
[0003] These wind and weather induced dilemmas, while frustrating
at best, can cause some major problems. First, blown over
receptacles that are stocked with the trash can draw many unwanted
pests to one's property; e.g., raccoons, mice, rats, bears etc.
Second, garbage receptacles blown into the street, especially a
moderately or highly trafficked street, could cause accidents that
might cause injury to passengers attempting to avoid the
receptacles or to the home owner herself as she seeks to retrieve
the garbage receptacles from the street.
[0004] To circumvent these problems those of skill in the art have
responded by creating bigger, bulkier and heavier trash cans. The
thinking has been that the heavier it is, the less it will be prone
to fall over and/or blow away. These efforts have been met with
mixed success. Firstly, many property homeowners, especially home
owners, do not want large, bulky receptacles that, when placed
outside, take away from the aesthetic appeal of their home.
Secondly, a bigger, bulkier, heavier trash receptacle is harder to
move from the house to the street curb where most trash is picked
up on the eagerly awaited and anticipated "trash day".
[0005] To these ends it is desirable to solve the problems
associated with disappearing trash receptacles and spilled trash,
while at the same time controlling the aesthetic appeal of one's
home from the look of monstrous, dumpster-sized trash
receptacles.
[0006] It is therefore an object herein to provide a trash
receptacle that will substantially resist blow-over when the
receptacle is in its upright position, whether filled with trash or
not.
[0007] It is another object herein to provide a trash receptacle
that will not move substantially from its laying position when it
is no longer upright but lays on one or more of its sides.
[0008] It is an additional object herein to provide a trash
receptacle that has significant movement resistant properties
(i.e., movement induced by wind) wherein the receptacle is of a
"normalized" size not having its movement resistant properties
substantially provided by increased weight, size or bulk.
[0009] It is a final object herein to provide a trash receptacle
that does not significantly detract from the aesthetic appeal of
real property when positioned adjacent thereto by virtue of an
oversized or bulky exterior.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the invention comprises a garbage receptacle
that has a body having an inner surface, an outer surface
positioned oppositely to the inner surface, a top end, a bottom end
positioned oppositely to the top end, an opening located about the
top end, the body being positioned between the top end and the
bottom end. At least one aerodynamic feature is positioned about
the body of the garbage receptacle wherein the at least one
aerodynamic feature operates to re-direct air blowing about the
garbage receptacle to thereby prevent the air from substantially
moving the garbage receptacle out of position (or "from blowing the
garbage receptacle away").
[0011] In one embodiment herein, at least two aerodynamic features
are positioned on the outer surface of the body of the garbage
receptacle. Preferably, the aerodynamic feature is a wing
positioned adjacent to the top end of the body. In another
embodiment herein, the aerodynamic feature may be a dual-wing
substantially positioned adjacent to the top end of the body.
[0012] In practice, the garbage receptacle will remain
substantially immovable within air (e.g., outside on a blustery
fall day) flowing at between about 5 mph to about 80 mph.
Preferably, the garbage receptacle will remain substantially
immovable within air flowing at between about 10 mph to about 50
mph. More preferably, the garbage receptacle will remain
substantially immovable within air flowing at between about 15 mph
to about 35 mph.
[0013] In one preferred embodiment, the garbage receptacle, when in
an upright position, will not substantially resist movement from
the flow of air. In other words, air or wind may blow the
receptacle over to a side thereof, but then substantially resist
movement from the air from its blown over position; this movement
is defined as roll-over. In another embodiment herein, the garbage
receptacle may resist blow over, i.e., the tendency to be knocked
over by air or wind. Alternatively, the garbage receptacle further
comprises a laying position that substantially resists movement
from the flow of air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is
regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the
invention will be better understood from the following descriptions
which are taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which like designations are used to designate substantially
identical elements, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the garbage receptacle;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a planar view of the front of the garbage
receptacle of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a planar view of the side of the garbage
receptacle of FIG. 2; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top view of the opening of the garbage
receptacle of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] By the term "blow-over" it is meant herein the phenomena
wherein a garbage receptacle, standing in an upright position, is
knocked over or knocked down by the action of strong wind forcing
the garbage receptacle over.
[0020] By the term "roll-over" it is meant herein the phenomena
wherein a garbage receptacle positioned in a laying position, e.g.,
on its side, is moved rotationally about its central axis in a
rolling fashion.
[0021] The invention comprises a garbage receptacle that has a body
having an inner surface, an outer surface positioned oppositely to
the inner surface, a top end, a bottom end positioned oppositely to
the top end, an opening located about the top end, the body being
positioned between the top end and the bottom end. At least one
aerodynamic feature is positioned about the body of the garbage
receptacle wherein the at least one aerodynamic feature operates to
re-direct air blowing about the garbage receptacle to thereby
prevent the air from substantially moving the garbage receptacle
out of position (or "from blowing the garbage receptacle away"). As
is shown in FIG. 1 at least one, and preferably two, aerodynamic
features 20 are positioned about the body 22 of the garbage
receptacle 10. The features 20 serve to re-direct air flow about
the body 22 such that the receptacle 10, when positioned in an
upright position, will not blow over when the receptacle 10 is
empty, full or partially full.
[0022] Similarly, the aerodynamic features 20 serve to keep the
receptacle 10, positioned on at least one of its sides, will not
blow away from its original positioning. The design of the
aerodynamic features 20 then therefore preferably serve to prevent
blow-over of the receptacle 10 in its upright position and also the
blowing away of the receptacle 10 when in its laying position. By
the term "laying position" herein it is meant that position when
the receptacle 20 is not in its upright position and is positioned
on one or more of its sides; e.g., the front side 30 of the
receptacle 10 (FIG. 2).
[0023] As was noted previously, at least two aerodynamic features
may be positioned on the outer surface 23 of the body of the
garbage receptacle. Preferably, the aerodynamic feature is a wing
positioned adjacent to the top end of the body. In another
embodiment herein, the aerodynamic feature may be a dual-wing
substantially positioned adjacent to the top end of the body.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment herein, the garbage receptacle 10,
when in an upright position, will not substantially resist movement
from the flow of air. In other words, air or wind may blow the
receptacle 10 over to a side thereof, but then substantially resist
movement from the air from its blown over position; i.e.,
substantially resist roll-over. When blown-over, Applicant
contemplates the blowing over of an empty garbage receptacle 10,
e.g., emptied after the trash therein has been deposited on trash
day.
[0025] In another embodiment herein, the garbage receptacle 10 will
preferably remain substantially immovable within air (e.g., outside
on a blustery fall day) flowing at between about 5 mph to about 80
mph. Preferably, the garbage receptacle 10 will remain
substantially immovable within air flowing at between about 10 mph
to about 50 mph. More preferably, the garbage receptacle 10 will
remain substantially immovable within air flowing at between about
15 mph to about 35 mph.
[0026] The garbage receptacle 10, when in an upright position, may
substantially resist movement from the flow of air. More
specifically, the garbage receptacle 10 may substantially resist
blow-over. This alternative embodiment can be brought about by the
action of the aerodynamic features 20 and/or a base (not shown)
that can be added to a garbage receptacle to provide greater
stability.
[0027] Alternatively, one or more of the aerodynamic features 20
may serve as a handle for moving the receptacle 10. A handle 25 may
be placed onto a feature 20 or the handle 25 may be cut into the
feature 20. Also alternatively, wheels 40 for moving (i.e.,
"wheeling") the receptacle about may also be placed at or near the
base 50 of the receptacle 10.
[0028] The disclosures of all patents, patent applications (and any
patents which issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published
foreign patent applications), and publications mentioned throughout
this patent application are hereby incorporated by reference
herein. It is expressly not admitted, however, that any of the
documents incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the
present invention. It is also expressly not admitted that any of
the commercially available materials or products described herein
teach or disclose the present invention.
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