U.S. patent application number 12/210384 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for trash container.
Invention is credited to Robin S. Johnson, RONALD H. JOHNSON.
Application Number | 20090071963 12/210384 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40453361 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090071963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JOHNSON; RONALD H. ; et
al. |
March 19, 2009 |
TRASH CONTAINER
Abstract
A trash containing device having a sealing lid that is
automatically opened for use and an apparatus and method of
mounting thereof that facilitates easy convenient access thereto
for use.
Inventors: |
JOHNSON; RONALD H.;
(Acworth, GA) ; Johnson; Robin S.; (Acworth,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS & KAPLAN;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, L.L.C.
CUMBERLAND CENTER II, 3100 CUMBERLAND BLVD , SUITE 1400
ATLANTA
GA
30339
US
|
Family ID: |
40453361 |
Appl. No.: |
12/210384 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60993560 |
Sep 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/476 ;
220/264; 312/212 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/141 20130101;
A47B 77/18 20130101; B65F 1/1436 20130101; B65F 1/1623
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/476 ;
312/212; 220/264 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/20 20060101
B65D025/20; A47G 29/14 20060101 A47G029/14; B65D 43/26 20060101
B65D043/26 |
Claims
1. A container operable with a cabinet comprising: an enclosure
having at least three sides and a bottom; a lid hingedly operable
with said enclosure, said lid biased in an open position exposing
an interior of said enclosure; and mounting means for attaching
said enclosure to one of a door and a drawer front of the cabinet;
wherein said lid swings through an arc generally perpendicular to a
major surface of said one of a door and a drawer front, and wherein
said lid is retained in a closed position via engagement with
biasing means when said one of a door and a drawer front is closed,
and disengages said biasing means when said one of a door and a
drawer front is open.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least
three sides and said bottom is selected from the group consisting
of a solid panel, a perforated panel, a slotted panel, a panel
comprising a mesh, and a panel comprising a screen.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises
a flange operable with a side of said container and a fastener
operable to secure said flange to said one of a door and a drawer
front.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a
wheel adapted to contact said lid when said one of a door and a
drawer front is closed.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein said lid comprises a groove
defining a well, said well adapted to receive a biased wheel when
said one of a door and a drawer front is closed.
6. The container of claim 1, further comprising a plate carried by
the cabinet proximate an opening of said one of a door and a drawer
front.
7. A trash can adapted for mounting within a cabinet comprising:
attachment means for mounting said trash can to a door of the
cabinet; a lid biased in an open position and hingedly connected to
said trash can at a location of said trash can opposite the door of
the cabinet; means for maintaining said lid in a closed position
when said trash can is at least partially disposed within the
cabinet, said lid disengaging from said means for maintaining said
lid in a closed position when the door of the cabinet is opened;
and means for biasing the door of the cabinet in a closed
position.
8. The trash can of claim 7, wherein said means for maintaining
said lid in a closed position when said trash can is at least
partially disposed within the cabinet comprises a spring-biased
wheel adapted to apply a downward force to said lid, and adapted to
allow said lid to roll thereunder while the door of the cabinet is
at least one of opened and closed.
9. The trash can of claim 8, wherein said means for biasing the
door of the cabinet in a closed position comprises a groove formed
in said lid, said groove comprising a well adapted to receive said
spring-biased wheel when the door of the cabinet is in the closed
position.
10. The trash can of claim 7, wherein said attachment means
comprises a flange and at least one fastener adapted to secure said
flange to the door of the cabinet.
11. The trash can of claim 7, further comprising a plate carried by
the cabinet proximate an opening thereof, wherein said plate is
adapted to contact said lid in an open position and to close said
lid as the door of the cabinet is closed.
12. A cabinet-mounted system for receiving a trash can comprising:
a flange for attaching a container to a door of the cabinet; a lid
connected to said container via a hinge at a position opposite the
door of the cabinet; a plate attached to an opening of the cabinet
and adapted to contact said lid and to apply a closing force to
said lid when the door of the cabinet is moved from an open
position to a closed position; and a biased wheel removably
engaging said lid and retaining said lid in a closed position when
the door of the cabinet is disposed in a closed position, said
biased wheel attached to the cabinet, wherein said biased wheel
engages a depression in said lid to resist opening of the door of
the cabinet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] To the fullest extent permitted by law, the present
nonprovisional patent application claims priority to, and the full
benefit of, U.S. provisional patent application entitled "Trash
Container", filed on Sep. 13, 2007, having assigned Ser. No.
60/993,560.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to containers, and
more specifically, to a trash container with an automatic lid, and
a mount therefore.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In our modern society, where packaged consumer products of
all varieties abound, there is a constant need to dispose of waste
and to store recyclable packaging materials. As a result
containers, such as bags, bins, boxes, cans, and the like, of
various designs have been employed to contain trash, recyclable
material, and/or compostable material.
[0004] Especially where food items are present, such as in a
kitchen, pantry, restaurant, store, or the like, such containers
may advantageously include a lid capable of sealing, at least in
part, trash, food, or the like, within the container, whereby
dispersion of unpleasant odors may be avoided or reduced.
Unfortunately, however, a lid poses an impediment to use of the
container, especially when a user's hands are full, such as while
carrying the material to be disposed in the container. As a result,
various attempts have been made to overcome the problems associated
with covered containers, while retaining the advantages thereof.
Inevitably, however, such attempts included complex systems or
arrangements, including numerous specialized components and
linkages.
[0005] Furthermore, even when a lid is included, the trash can or
other container may be itself be unsightly, may take up valuable
floor space, or may clutter a space in which it is stored. As a
result different housings and the like have been developed to
conceal the trashcan and/or store it in a convenient location where
it is not in the way during other tasks. Such concealment, however,
likewise impedes use of the trash can or other container by
requiring additional steps to access the trash can, or by disposing
it in a location that is difficult to access.
[0006] Thus, it is readily apparent that there exists an unmet need
for a trash can having a lid that automatically opens when needed
and that seals the container when not in use, and a mounting
apparatus and method that allow easy access to the trash can.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the device and
system of the present disclosure overcome the above-mentioned
disadvantages and meet the recognized need for such a device and
system by providing a container for attachment to a cabinet door,
or other door or drawer, including a lid which seals the container,
opens automatically upon opening the cabinet door, or other door or
drawer, and closes automatically upon closing the cabinet door, or
other door or drawer.
[0008] According to its major aspects, and broadly stated, the
device of the present disclosure, in its preferred form, is a
container comprising means for mounting to a door or drawer front
of a cabinet, whereby the container may be supported by the door or
drawer front, means for biasing an operable lid of the container in
an open condition, and means for closing the lid as the door is
closed, and for maintaining the lid in a closed position when the
door is maintained in the closed position.
[0009] The container may be a trash can, with or without a bag or
other liner therein, or a structure adapted to removably retain a
trash can therein. The container may have a bottom, and one or more
sides, and may have apertures formed therein, or other cut-out or
opening, such as to reduce a weight thereof, without reducing its
ability to contain trash, a trash can, a trash bag, or the like.
The mounting means may be formed as one or more flange, or the
like, adapted to engage an interior surface of the door or drawer
front of a cabinet, such as directly via mechanical fasteners,
adhesive, a groove, channel, or notch, or the like, or indirectly
via a complimentary member having such a groove channel, notch, or
the like that engages the door or drawer front. Alternatively, the
mounting means may be formed as one or more hook, hanger, hanging
means, clip, strap, combinations thereof, or the like.
[0010] A sealing lid may be included on the container via a hinge,
preferably at a portion thereof opposing a portion including the
mounting means, whereby the lid may open via a portion thereof
proximate the door or drawer front swinging up and away therefrom
via the hinge. The hinge is preferably biased, such as via a
spring, whereby the lid opens automatically when the lid is no
longer disposed within the cabinet.
[0011] The means for closing the lid may be carried by the cabinet,
and is preferably removably engaged with the lid only when the door
is closed, or partially open, whereby the lid is completely
disengaged from the means for closing when the door is open, i.e.
when the lid is no longer disposed within the cabinet. The means
for closing may be formed as a durable and low-friction slide or
roller element adapted to engage a portion of the lid as the door
is closed and force the lid down, into a closed potion, sliding or
rolling thereover, as the door is closed further.
[0012] Once closed, the means for closing preferably maintains the
lid in a closed position, such as via a spring-biased wheel that
engages the lid, and preferably a groove thereof. The groove may be
formed such that the biasing force resists opening of the door.
[0013] Accordingly, one feature and advantage of the device and
system of the present disclosure is the ability to accomplish
automatic opening of the lid upon opening of the door, and to
accomplish automatic closing of the lid upon closing of the
door.
[0014] Another feature and advantage of the device and system of
the present disclosure is the ability to accomplish such opening
and closing of the lid via means which may disengage from the lid
when the door is open.
[0015] These and other features and advantages of the device and
system of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those
ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed
Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing
Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Accordingly, the claimed invention will be understood best
through consideration of, and with reference to, the following
drawing Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed
Description referring thereto, in which like reference numbers
throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trash container according
to the present disclosure; and
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side partial cut-away view of the trash
container of FIG. 1.
[0019] It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended
solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are,
therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the claimed
invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown,
except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In describing preferred embodiments of the device and system
of the present disclosure illustrated in the Figures, specific
terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed
invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific
terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each
specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in
a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
[0021] In that form of the preferred embodiment of the device and
system of the present disclosure chosen for purposes of
illustration in FIGS. 1 and 2, trash container 100 is preferably
attached to door D of cabinet C such that trash container 100 may
be accessed when door D is open, at least when door D is open a
sufficient amount to allow lid 120 of trash container 100 to clear
face frame F of cabinet C, and may be disposed inside cabinet C
when door D is closed for convenient storage.
[0022] Trash container 100 may comprise one or more solid side
panels 101, and bottom panel 103 as shown, and may be mounted
directly to door D via mounting means 110, such as flange 111 and
fasteners 113 disposed therethrough. As such, trash may be disposed
directly in trash container 100, in a trash bag disposed therein,
or in a conventional trash can disposed therein. Alternatively,
trash container 100 may comprise one or more perforated or slotted
panels, including mesh or screen sections, or the like, whereby a
weight of trash container 100 may be reduced, thus reducing a
stress on mounting means 110 and door D. When trash container 100
comprises one or more panel having one or more opening formed
therethrough, a bag or other liner is preferably used to prevent
trash or other items placed in trash container 100 from escaping
through an opening. Alternatively, however, no liner may be used,
such as for recyclable materials, especially where ventilation may
be beneficial and the items disposed in trash container 100 are
larger than the one or more opening.
[0023] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, mounting
means 110 may take many other forms, including one or more hook,
hanger, hanging means, clip, strap, adhesive, ties, combinations
thereof, or the like. Likewise, flange 111 may be attached to door
D other than via fasteners 113, such as via adhesive, engagement
with one or more groove or slot, either formed in door D or in a
structure attached thereto, or the like. Furthermore, mounting
means 110 may be formed as a cage or other frame disposed, at least
in part, around trash container 100. Fasteners 113 may be formed as
one or more screw, nail, peg, rivet, hook, tack, or the like
adapted to retain flange 111 in engagement with door D.
[0024] Lid 120 is preferably further included on trash container
100, disposed on an upper portion thereof via hinge 121, preferably
in a sealing arrangement. Hinge 121 is preferably disposed on a
portion of trash container 100 generally opposite door D and flange
111, whereby lid 120 may preferably open via swinging up and away
from door D through arc A. Hinge 121 preferably includes biasing
means 123, such as spring 125, a pneumatic device, a magnetic
device, or the like, whereby lid 120 may preferably open
automatically.
[0025] Means 130 for closing lid 120, and maintaining lid 120 in a
closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, are preferably included to
overcome a biasing force of biasing means 123, whereby lid 120 may
be closed, and maintained in a closed position, such as during
storage. Means 130 preferably includes plate 131 mounted to frame F
of cabinet C and adapted to engage lid 120 and force lid 120
downward towards the closed position as door D is closed. Plate 131
is, accordingly, disposed at a position on frame F where engagement
with lid 120 occurs as door D is closed. Such engagement preferably
forces lid down through arc A as trash container 100 moves
thereunder. As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in
the art, plate 131 may be formed of a resilient and/or durable
material whereby continued use to close lid 120 may not cause
excessive wear or damage to plate 131, and may further include a
surface having a low coefficient of friction, including low
coefficient coatings, whereby damage or wear to lid 120 may be
avoided.
[0026] Means 130 may alternatively, or additionally, further
include biased wheel 133, likewise mounted to cabinet C and adapted
to engage lid 120, preferably at groove 127 formed therein, to
maintain lid 120 in the closed position, whereby trash container
100 is sealed by lid 120. Groove 127 is preferably formed so as to
provide a well in which biased wheel 133 is disposed when door D is
completely closed, whereby a biasing force of biased wheel 133 may
resist, at least to some degree, the opening of door D. Thus, any
force tending to open door D, such as a force applied by biasing
means 123, may be resisted by a downward biasing force of biased
wheel 133 via engagement with groove 127.
[0027] Biased wheel 133 is preferably arranged so as to rotate
freely, such as about a pin or other axle, with or without
bearings, whereby lid 120 may freely travel thereunder, at least in
a direction of rotation, while engaged with biased wheel 133.
Biased wheel 133 is preferably further arranged to travel a
distance in a direction generally perpendicular to a top of lid
120, including via traveling vertically in a channel or via
rotation about a pin or other pivot point, and is preferably biased
in the direction of travel towards lid 120 disposed thereunder,
whereby biased wheel may follow a contour of the top of lid 120 as
lid 120 moves with respect to cabinet C, and biased wheel 133. For
example, lid 120 may include a sloped portion towards a peripheral
edge thereof distal of door D, whereby biased wheel may move
vertically under the biasing force to maintain contact with the
sloping surface as door D is opened. Thus, when door D is opened
slightly, i.e. a sufficient distance to remove biased wheel 133
from the well, the biasing force of biased wheel 133 may cause door
D to open automatically via transmission of the biasing force
through the sloped surface of top 120.
[0028] In use, container 100, including lid 120, may be mounted,
either permanently or removably, to an interior surface of door D
proximate an upper peripheral edge thereof, and preferably
proximate a side thereof opposite a hinged side, whereby when door
D is closed, container 100 may be disposed within cabinet C
proximate face frame F thereof, and whereby when door D is open,
container 100 is completely removed from cabinet C. Plate 131 and
biased wheel 133 may be installed, either permanently or removably,
on cabinet C so as to each contact lid 120 when door D is closing
or closed. Thus, when door D is opened, lid 120 may disengage from
means 130 as it is removed from cabinet C via movement of door D,
and may automatically open under the biasing force of biasing means
123 when completely removed from cabinet C. Trash, recyclable
material, or the like, may then be placed in open container 100, as
desired. Door D may then be closed, thereby engaging lid 120 with
means 130, causing lid 120 to close and remain closed while
simultaneously disposing container 100 within cabinet C where it
may be hidden from sight and may free up space for other uses. The
disengagement of lid 120 from means 130 preferably allows container
100 to be removed from door D, when means 120 are formed as
removable mounting means, such as slot or channel slidably
receiving flange 111, whereby container 100 may be carried or
otherwise transported to a desired location, such as for trash or
recycling collection, or the like.
[0029] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the device
and system of the present disclosure, it should be noted by those
ordinarily skilled in the art that the within disclosures are
exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations,
and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the
present disclosure. For example, the trash container may be used
with a drawer, shelf, or the like, and may be formed of wire mesh
or other perforated or woven material for ventilation. These and
various other alternative arrangements, shapes, sizes, and the
like, will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art, and
are deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific
embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the
following claims.
* * * * *