U.S. patent application number 12/303159 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for trash receptacle with dispensable bags.
Invention is credited to Bryn T. Banuelos, Robert W. Fraser, David M. Gillespie, Nancy M. Mack-Robles, Michael S. O'Hara, Lawrence J. Racana.
Application Number | 20090236345 12/303159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38832751 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090236345 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mack-Robles; Nancy M. ; et
al. |
September 24, 2009 |
Trash Receptacle With Dispensable Bags
Abstract
The trash receptacle may include an outer shell defining a
cavity and a rim defining an opening to the cavity. The trash
receptacle may include a divider that divides the cavity into a
compartment and a bin, wherein the divider defines a hole that
passes therethrough. The receptacle may include a plurality of bags
connected in a series. The bags may have a top defining an opening
and a bottom that is closed, wherein the bags are connected such
that the bottom of each bag is separably attached to the top of the
next bag in the series. The bags may include a closure for the
opening of the bag. When the bags are stored in the compartment,
the bags may be pulled through the hole of the divider
individually, such that the first bag will pull the second bag
through the divider.
Inventors: |
Mack-Robles; Nancy M.;
(Bolingbrook, IL) ; Fraser; Robert W.; (Lombard,
IL) ; O'Hara; Michael S.; (Burbank, IL) ;
Racana; Lawrence J.; (Willowbrook, IL) ; Banuelos;
Bryn T.; (Piedmont, CA) ; Gillespie; David M.;
(San Ramon, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
P.O. BOX 24305
OAKLAND
CA
94623-1305
US
|
Family ID: |
38832751 |
Appl. No.: |
12/303159 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
June 11, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2007/070879 |
371 Date: |
December 2, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60813534 |
Jun 14, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/495.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/062 20130101;
B65F 1/0006 20130101; B65F 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/495.07 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/16 20060101
B65D025/16 |
Claims
1. A trash receptacle comprising: a housing, the housing includes;
an outer shell defining a cavity; a rim defining an opening to the
cavity; a divider that divides the cavity into a compartment and a
bin, wherein the divider defines a hole that passes therethrough;
and a plurality of bags, the bags having a top defining an opening
and a bottom that is closed, the opening includes a closure.
2. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the closure is an
adhesive material around an upper edge defining the opening.
3. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags have a height
less than 30 inches.
4. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags have a width
less than 30 inches.
5. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle has a
height less than 30 inches.
6. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle has a
width less than 30 inches.
7. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are
connected
8. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are
unconnected.
9. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are connected
in series such that the bottom of each bag is separably attached to
the top of the next bag in the series, wherein when the bags are
stored in the compartment they may be pulled through the hole of
the divider one at a time, with the tops of the bags leading the
bottoms, such that a first bag will pull a second bag through the
divider as the first bag is pulled away from the divider, wherein
when the top of a bag passes through the divider it may be opened
to receive material.
10. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein bags are configured
such that, after they are open, they may be fitted around the rim
of the housing such that the rim will help ensure the bag remains
open and does not fall away from the opening of the housing.
11. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a
top and bottom, wherein the rim is located at the top of the
receptacle and the bottom is closed.
12. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the outer shell
defines a tube which connects the top of the housing and the bottom
of the housing.
13. The trash receptacle of claim 12, wherein the body tube is oval
in shape.
14. The trash receptacle of claim 12, wherein the compartment is
defined by the bottom of housing, the divider, and the portion of
the outer shell between the divider and the bottom of the
housing.
15. The trash receptacle of claim 12, wherein the bin is defined by
the divider and the portion of the outer shell above the
divider.
16. The trash receptacle of claim 11, wherein the bottom of the
housing is substantially flat such that the trash receptacle may
stand erect resting on the bottom of the housing.
17. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the divider is
independent of the housing such that the divider may be repeatedly
removed and inserted.
18. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the divider has a top,
a bottom, and an outer edge.
19. The trash receptacle of claim 18, wherein the outer edge of the
divider is substantially flush with an interior surface of the
housing.
20. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are
plastic.
21. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are
substantially impermeable to odors.
22. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags include a
liquid absorbing agent.
23. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags include an
odor neutralizing agent.
24. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags include an
antimicrobial agent.
25. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags include a
fragrance releasing agent.
26. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are heat
resistant to a temperature of 400 F.
27. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are connected
in series such that the bottom of each bag is separably attached to
the top of the next bag in the series, the bags are connected in
series along perforated lines.
28. A trash receptacle comprising: a housing, the housing includes;
an outer shell defining a cavity; a rim defining an opening to the
cavity; a bottom, wherein the bottom is removable; a divider that
divides the cavity into a compartment and a bin, wherein the
divider defines a hole that passes therethrough; and a plurality of
bags, the bags having a top defining an opening and a bottom that
is closed, the opening includes a closure.
29. The trash receptacle of claim 28, wherein an inside surface of
the bottom includes the compartment for receiving the plurality of
bags.
30. The trash receptacle of claim 29, wherein the compartment has a
lid that includes an opening through which bags are dispensed.
31. The trash receptacle of claim 30, wherein the lid is hingedly
attached to the compartment.
32. The trash receptacle of claim 28, wherein the bottom is
attached to the remainder of the housing along a hinge, wherein the
bottom is pivotable between an open position and a closed position
around the hinge.
33. The trash receptacle of claim 32, wherein the bottom includes
the compartment for receiving the pre-dispensed plurality of bags,
the compartment having a lid that is hingedly attached to the
compartment, wherein the lid is pivotable between an open position
and a closed position.
34. The trash receptacle of claims 28, wherein the bags are
connected in series such that the bottom of each bag is separably
attached to the top of the next bag in the series, wherein when the
bags are stored in the compartment the bags may be pulled through
the hole of the divider one at a time, with the tops of the bags
leading the bottoms, such that a first bag will pull a second bag
through the divider as the bag is pulled away from the divider,
wherein when the top of a bag passes through the divider the bag
may be opened to receive material.
35. The trash receptacle of claim 1 further comprising a top, a
bottom, a front, and a back wherein the rim is at the top of the
receptacle and extends from the front of the receptacle to the back
of the receptacle at an angle in the range of 0 to 45 degrees.
36. The trash receptacle of claim 1 further comprising a back,
wherein a portion of the back is substantially flat.
37. The trash receptacle of claim 1 further comprising a divider
slot for receiving the divider, wherein the housing tapers to its
narrowest point at the divider slot.
38. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are
interleaved together.
39. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein there is an absence of
interleaving between the bags.
40. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bags are disposed
within a refill pack.
41. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the refill pack is
disposed below the divider in the compartment.
42. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the hole in the
divider is configured to accommodate a finger and a thumb of a
user.
43. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the divider includes a
pair of finger holds.
44. A trash receptacle comprising: a housing, the housing includes;
an outer shell defining a cavity; a rim defining an opening to the
cavity; a refill pack; and a plurality of bags disposed within in
the refill pack, the bags having a top defining an opening and a
bottom that is closed, the opening includes a closure.
45. The trash receptacle of claim 44, wherein the refill pack is
held within the housing by a friction fit.
46. The trash receptacle of claim 44, wherein the refill pack is
held within the housing by an interference fit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to trash
receptacles, and more particularly to a trash receptacle including
a plurality of dispensable bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A large trash receptacle with a bag is generally designed to
serve as primary receptacle for trash, such as, for example, the
primary trash receptacle in a kitchen. After the bag is full the
bag is removed from the receptacle for transport, disposal, or
incineration and a new bag is arranged in the receptacle to receive
trash.
[0003] One problem inherent with traditional trash receptacles
utilizing trash bags is presented by trash that is particularly
odorous or unsanitary. When such offensive trash is introduced into
trash bags of traditional trash receptacles, the trash bags must be
quickly removed and disposed of, otherwise the trash receptacle
will subject the surrounding area to the odorous or unsanitary
effects of the trash via the open bag. This leads to an inefficient
use of the trash receptacle and bags because the bag may not be
full when the offensive trash is deposited into the bag.
Accordingly, a bag having additional capacity is often disposed of
prematurely. This ultimately leads to the use of more bags than is
actually required for the volume of trash produced. This situation
represents further inefficiency and inconvenience because the
individual emptying the trash receptacle must remove and transport
the trash bags on a more frequent basis.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention mitigates the effects of particularly odorous
or unsanitary trash. The present invention is directed towards a
trash receptacle with dispensable bags that allows for offensive
trash or refuse to be disposed of in its own trash bag. The trash
bags of the present invention may be sized to accommodate a limited
number of articles of trash. After particularly offensive trash is
deposited in a trash bag, the bag may be removed and either
disposed of or placed inside a larger trash receptacle, such as,
for example, the primary trash receptacle in a kitchen. Because the
bags of the device prevent the odorous or unsanitary effects from
escaping the bag, the bag of the larger receptacle need not be
disposed of as it would if the problem trash was deposited directly
into the bag. The trash receptacle may also be sized such that it
will function conveniently when placed on, for example, a kitchen
or bathroom counter top. The plurality of dispensable bags of the
receptacle ensures that the device will serve for multiple uses
before it needs to be refilled or is disposed of.
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a trash receptacle comprising a housing, the housing including an
outer shell defining a cavity and a rim defining an opening to the
cavity. The trash receptacle further comprises a divider that
divides the cavity into a compartment and a bin, wherein the
divider defines a hole that passes therethrough. The receptacle
also comprises a plurality of bags connected in a series. The bags
have a top defining an opening and a bottom that is closed, wherein
the bags are connected in series such that the bottom of each bag
is separably attached to the top of the next bag in the series.
When the bags are stored in the compartment, the bags may be pulled
through the hole of the divider one at a time, with the tops of the
bags leading the bottoms, such that the first bag will pull the
second bag through the divider as the first bag is pulled away from
the divider. When the top of a bag passes through the divider, the
bag may be opened to receive material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trash receptacle with
dispensable trash bags, wherein one of the trash bags is fitted
around the rim of the receptacle.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a right side cross section of the trash receptacle
of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the trash receptacle of FIG.
1 without a bag fitted around the rim.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a left side view.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a front view.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a rear view.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a bottom view.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a top view, wherein the divider has been
removed.
[0014] FIG. 9 is the same view as FIG. 8, but the divider has been
inserted.
[0015] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the trash
receptacle of FIG. 1, wherein the divider is shown above the
receptacle.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a side view of the divider of FIG. 10.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the divider.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a front view of the trash receptacle and bag of
FIG. 1, wherein the bag is receiving trash.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a view of the receptacle and the filled bag is
being closed.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a view of the receptacle and wherein the filled
and closed bag is being removed and separated from the series of
bags.
[0021] FIG. 16 is a view of the receptacle and the next bag in the
series is being fit around the rim of the receptacle.
[0022] FIG. 17 is a front view of the unfolded series of bags of
FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an individual bag.
[0024] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a gusseted bag.
[0025] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention, wherein one of the trash bags is fitted around the rim
of the receptacle.
[0026] FIG. 21 is a right side view of the trash receptacle of FIG.
20 without a bag fitted around the rim.
[0027] FIG. 22 is a rear view of the receptacle in FIG. 21.
[0028] FIG. 23 is a right side cross section of the trash
receptacle of FIG. 20.
[0029] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention, wherein one of the trash bags is fitted around the rim
of the receptacle.
[0030] FIG. 25 is a front view of the receptacle in FIG. 24.
[0031] FIG. 26 is a right side cross section of the trash
receptacle of FIG. 24.
[0032] FIG. 27 is a top view of the trash receptacle of FIG. 24
without a trash bag fitted around the rim.
[0033] FIG. 28 is an exploded view of the trash receptacle of FIG.
24, wherein the bottom is removed.
[0034] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention with a hinged bottom, wherein the bottom is open.
[0035] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a large trash
receptacle, which includes the small trash bag of this
invention.
[0036] FIG. 31 is a side view of another embodiment of the
invention with a flat back.
[0037] FIG. 32 is a top view of the receptacle of FIG. 31.
[0038] FIG. 33 is a right side cross section of another embodiment
of the invention wherein the stacked bags are interleaved.
[0039] FIG. 34 is a right side cross section of another embodiment
of the invention wherein the stacked bags are unconnected.
[0040] FIG. 35 is a right side cross section of another embodiment
of the invention wherein the bags are dispensed from a roll
[0041] FIG. 36 is a right side cross section of another embodiment
of the invention wherein the bags are arranged in folded
layers.
[0042] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a refill pack for the trash
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0043] FIG. 38 is perspective view of the refill pack of FIG. 37
wherein it has been inserted into the trash receptacle of FIG.
1.
[0044] FIG. 39 is a top perspective of another embodiment of the
invention wherein the divider only has one slot sized to
accommodate the fingers of a user.
[0045] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a drawstring bag to be used
with the trash receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0046] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a bag with interlocking
closures to be used with the trash receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0047] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a tie flap bag to be used
with the trash receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0048] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a fold-top bag to be used
with the trash receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0049] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a cohesive bag to be used
with the trash receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0050] FIG. 45 is a side view of another embodiment of the
invention with a back portion that is flat.
[0051] FIG. 46 is a top view of the receptacle of FIG. 45.
[0052] FIG. 47 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention
wherein the divider includes finger holds.
[0053] FIG. 48 is a bottom view of the divider of FIG. 47.
[0054] FIG. 49 is a right side cross section of the divider of FIG.
47 wherein the divider is inserted into a receptacle according to
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0055] Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a trash receptacle 50
comprising a housing 52. The housing may include an outer shell 54
defining a cavity 56 and a rim 58 defining an opening 60 to the
cavity 56. The trash receptacle 50 may further comprise a divider
62 that divides the cavity 56 into a compartment 76 and a bin 78,
wherein the divider 62 defines a hole 64 that passes therethrough.
The receptacle 50 may also include a plurality of bags 80 connected
in a series. The bags 80 may have a top 86 defining an opening 88
and a bottom 90 that is closed. The bags 80 may be connected in
series such that the bottom 90 of each bag 80 is separably attached
to the top 86 of the next bag in the series. When the bags 80 are
stored in the compartment 76, the bags may be pulled through the
hole 64 of the divider 62 one at a time, with the tops 86 of the
bags 80 leading the bottoms 90, such that the first bag will pull
the second bag through the divider 62 as the first bag is pulled
away from the divider 62. When the top 86 of a bag 80 passes
through the divider 62, the bag may be opened to receive material.
In order to assist with hands-free utilization of the device, the
bags 80 may be fitted around the rim 58 of the receptacle 50 so
that the bag 80 remains open to receive refuse, as shown in FIG.
1.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, the receptacle 50 may include a front
96, a back 98, a first side 100, and a second side 102. Referring
to FIGS. 1-2, the outer shell 54 of the receptacle 50 may be one
continuous piece that may define a generally tubular shape. The
outer shell 54 may be a single-walled shell that includes an inner
surface 104 and an outer surface 106, as seen in FIG. 2. The outer
shell 54 includes a bottom 108, which is flat so that the
receptacle 50 is able to stand stably upright, and a top 110, at
which is located the rim 58 of the opening 60. The bottom 108 may
include a circular recess 112 centered on the middle of the bottom
108.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 2, the rim 58 may be oriented at an angle
so that the rim 58 is higher at the back 98 of the receptacle 50
and lower at the front 96. The rim 58 may extend up from the front
96 to the back 98 at an angle 156, wherein the angle is defined as
the angle between a plane parallel to the bottom 108 and the rim
58. The angle 156 may be in a first range of 0 to 45 degrees. The
angle 156 may be in a second range of 20 to 35 degrees. In one
embodiment, the angle 156 may be 30 degrees. The angled rim 58 is
consistent with the general ease of use of the receptacle. Because
the rim 58, and therefore the opening 60, are at an angle 156 the
hands-free ergonomic loading of the receptacle is enhanced, as the
receptacle presents opening 60 to deposit refuse in the bag 80.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the receptacle 50 may have a
generally hourglass shape. The profile of the receptacle 50 may be
widest at the rim 58, then taper to its narrowest section at the
divider slot 114, and then widen again to the bottom 108, which is
smaller than the top 110, as show in FIG. 2. The hourglass profile
may be present in the side profiles of the receptacle 50, as shown
in FIGS. 2-4, and the front and rear profiles, as shown in FIGS. 5
and 6. The receptacle may be symmetrical between the second side
102 and the first side 100, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
respectively.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the outer shell 54 of the
receptacle 50 may be the general shape of an oval tube, wherein the
receptacle 50 is widest from the first side 100 to the second side
102 and narrowest from the front 96 to the back 98. The receptacle
50 may have an oval footprint at the bottom 108, as shown in FIG.
7, and maintain an oval cross-section throughout the outer shell 54
to the top 110, as shown in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 8, the
divider slot 114, which can be seen without the divider 62
inserted, may also have an oval shape. Accordingly, the divider 62,
which may be shaped to fit snuggly in the divider slot 114, is also
oval in shape, as shown inserted in the receptacle 50 in FIG.
9.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, the divider slot 114 may include three
bands 116, 118, 120 that circumvent the outer shell 54 of the
receptacle 50. The upper band 116 and the lower band 118 are
located above and below the middle band 120, respectively. The
upper band 116 and the lower band 118 have a smaller circumference
than the middle band 120 but may have the same circumference as
each other. The circumference of the divider 62 is larger than both
the upper band 116 and lower band 118 but less than that of the
middle band 120. Accordingly, the divider 62 may be held in place
at the middle band 120. The divider 62 may be held in place by a
loose fit, an interference fit or a friction fit.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 2, the cavity 56 of the receptacle 50
includes the area inside the outer shell 54 between the bottom 108
of the receptacle 50 and the opening 60. The divider 62 divides the
cavity 56 into a compartment 76 and a bin 78. The compartment 76 is
the space between the bottom 108 of the receptacle 50 and the
divider 62 while the bin 78 is the space between the divider 62 and
the opening 60. As shown in FIG. 2, the divider 62 may be located
approximately a quarter of the distance up from the bottom 108 to
the top 110, thereby ensuring that the compartment 76 is less
voluminous than the bin 78.
[0062] The plurality of bags 80 may be stored in the compartment 76
as a folded stack 124, as shown in FIG. 2. The bags 80 may be
stored in the compartment 76 such that the top bag 80 in the stack
124 has an unconnected top 86, i.e. it is only attached on its
bottom 90 because it is the first bag 80 in the series. The bags 80
enter the bin 78 of the receptacle through the hole 64 of the
divider 62 beginning with the first bag 80 passing through the hole
64 first. The bags 80 may be connected in a series wherein the
bottom 90 of each bag 80 is connected to the top 86 of each
subsequent bag 80 as shown in FIG. 17. When the series of bags 80
are pulled through the hole 64, the bag 80 will enter the bin 78.
The top 86 of the bag 80 is open while the bottom 90 of the bag 80
is closed. As shown in FIG. 2, once a bag 80 has passed
substantially through the hole 64, the top 86 may be fitted around
the rim 58 of the receptacle 50 so that the bag 80 is held open.
The bags 80 may be sized appropriately such that when fitted around
the rim 58 the bag 80 will define a volume substantially equal to
the volume of the bin 78, as shown in FIG. 2. The bottom 90 of the
bag 80, and the perforated line 84 serving as the connection to the
next bag 80 in the series, may be located just below the divider 62
when the bag 80 is fitted to the receptacle 50. When the bag 80 is
arranged as shown in FIG. 2, the receptacle 50 is capable of
hands-free operation such that it can receive refuse, wherein the
refuse will be contained within the bag 80, which is fitted around
the rim 58.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 10, the divider 62 may be selectively
removable. The divider 62 may be held within the divider slot 114
by nature of a friction fit and it may be an independent piece that
is not joined to the inside surface 104 of the outer shell 54.
Furthermore, the entire receptacle 50, including the divider 62,
may be made of plastic. Therefore, the divider 62 and the outer
shell 54 allow limited elastic deformation that permits the divider
62 to be repeatedly inserted and removed from the divider slot 114,
past the narrower upper band 116, without significant plastic
deformation occurring within the outer shell 54 or the divider 62.
By removing the divider 62 up past the upper band 116, as shown in
FIG. 10, the barrier between the bin 78 and the compartment 76 is
removed. Thus, after the divider 62 is removed, bags 80 may be
inserted into the compartment 76 via the opening 60. In this
manner, the receptacle 50 may be refilled with bags 80 when a stack
of bags 124 in the compartment 76 is spent, thereby permitting
repeated use of the receptacle 50.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 11, the divider 62 has a top 68, a bottom
70, and an outer rim 66. The outer rim 66 may be curved to further
enable insertion and removal of the divider 62 past the upper band
116 of the divider slot 114. The divider 62 may be made of a single
sheet of material which curves down around the edges to form the
outer rim 66. Referring to FIG. 2, the interior 72 of the divider
62 may be concave so that the interior 72 curves generally downward
from the outer rim 66 to a low point at the hole 64. Referring to
FIG. 12, the hole 64 defined by the divider 62 may be in the shape
of a cross 128 created by the intersection of a narrow slot 130 and
a wide slot 132. The wide slot 132 may be appropriately sized to
accommodate a thumb and finger of a user. This enables the user to
reach through the divider 62 into the compartment 76 to grab the
first bag 80 in a series. This feature is particularly important
when the bags 80 are located below the divider 62 in the
compartment 76, such as when the receptacle 50 has been newly
refilled or when the top bag 80 has fallen below the divider 62.
The hole 64 in the divider 62 is of ample size such that the bags
80 may be pulled through one at a time, but is small enough that it
prevents more than one bag 80 from being pulled through at a
time.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 13, once the first bag 80 in a series is
fitted around the rim 58 of the receptacle 50, it is ready to be
loaded with refuse. Because the bag 80 is held open by the rim 58,
the bag 80 may be filled without the user needing to engage the
receptacle 50, as illustrated by the hands-free operation in FIG.
13.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 14, after the bag 80 is filled to the
user's satisfaction, the bag 80 may be closed. The top 86 of the
bag 80 may include an adhesive strip 92 on one half of the opening
88 that permits the two halves of the open bag 80 to be joined
together at the top 86, as shown in FIG. 14. Accordingly, the bag
80 is sealed by pressing the bag 80 shut along the top 86 at the
adhesive strip 92. As the opening 88 of the bag 80 is being sealed
with two hands, the user may also begin to lift the bag 80 out of
the receptacle 50. As the bag 80 is lifted from the receptacle 50,
the bottom 90 of the bag 80 may pass through the divider 62,
thereby pulling the top 86 of the subsequent bag 80 through the
divider 62, as shown in FIG. 14.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 15, once the bottom 90 of the filled bag
80 has cleared the rim 58, the user may grip the subsequent bag 80
below the perforated line 84. Then the user may separate the filled
bag 80 from the subsequent bag 80 by tearing it along the
perforated line 84, as shown in FIG. 15. The filled and sealed bag
80 is now ready for transport or disposal. The bag 80 may be sized
to fit inside another receptacle, such as, for example, the primary
garbage receptacle of a kitchen or bathroom as shown in FIG. 30.
Referring to FIG. 30, several of the filled dispensable bags 80 may
be deposited in a primary trash receptacle 504 and the large trash
bag 506 before the primary receptacle needs to be emptied. In other
situations, the receptacle 50 may also serve as the primary trash
receptacle in a location.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 16, the final step of utilizing the
receptacle 50 is to fit the empty subsequent bag 80, around the rim
58 of the receptacle 50. When the bag 80 is thus fitted, the
receptacle 50 is again ready to receive refuse and the cycle of
filling and disposing of the dispensed bags 80 may continue. The
cycle of filling and disposing of the bags 80 may continue until
such time as all of the bags 80 in the compartment 76 have been
dispensed, filled, and removed.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 17, the plurality of bags 80 is joined in
a series such that a perforated line 84 connects the bottom 90 of
the first bag 80 to the top 86 of the second bag 80, the bottom 90
of the second bag 80 to the top 86 of the third bag 80, and so on,
until the end of the series. The perforated line 84, which
represents a weak point in the series of bags 80, ensures that when
the user attempts to separate the bags 80, the tear will occur
along the perforated line 84. Referring to FIG. 18, the bags 80 may
have a first seam 136 and a second seam 138 on a first edge 150 and
a second edge 152, respectively, thereby dividing the bags 80 into
a front wall 140 and a back wall 142. The bottom 90 of each bag 80
may include a third seam 144 where the bag 80 is sealed closed just
above the perforated line 84. The bags 80 are not sealed closed
below the perforated line 84, thereby ensuring the bag 80 will have
an opening 88 along the top 86 when it is separated from the bottom
90 of the bag 80 above, as shown in FIG. 18. Along the top 86 of
the bags 80, just below the perforated line 84, the bags 80 may
have an adhesive strip 92 located on the inside surface 146 of the
front wall 140 or the back wall 142 of the bag. A non-adhesive
cover strip 94, shown partially removed in FIG. 18, may cover the
adhesive strip 92 so that the adhesive strip 92 will not stick to
the other side of the bag 80 until the cover strip 94 is removed.
The cover strip 94 may be removed when the user wishes to seal the
bag closed. When the user presses the front wall 140 and the back
wall 142 together along the top 86, the adhesive strip 92 will seal
the bag 80.
[0070] The bags may be folded into a stack 124 so that they can be
inserted into the compartment 76 of the receptacle 50, as shown in
FIG. 2. The bags 80 may be folded at any place along the series so
long as they travel back and forth across the bottom 108 of the
receptacle 50, thereby creating a stack 124 with a limited length
and width. The stack 124 will unfold from the top down as bags 80
are dispensed through the divider 62. Other arrangements of storing
the bags 80 in the compartment 76 may be used, such as, for
example, placing the series of bags on a roll.
[0071] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the bags 80 may be made of
plastic. More specifically, the bags 80 may be made of an
odor-proof plastic so that the bag 80 is substantially impermeable
to odors. Accordingly, when the bag 80 is sealed shut, odors will
generally be prevented from escaping the bag 80. Thus, odorous
refuse may be sealed in the bag 80 and deposited into a larger
receptacle as shown in FIG. 30. Because the odors will not escape
from the bag 80, the sealed bag 80 may remain in a larger
receptacle 504 until the larger bag 506 is filled without
subjecting the surrounding area to odors that would necessitate the
larger receptacle being emptied or moved before it was filled. The
bags 80 may also include liquid absorbing agents, odor neutralizing
agents, antimicrobial agents, or fragrance releasing agents in
order to better mitigate the effects of particularly odorous or
unsanitary refuse. In one embodiment, the bags may be heat
resistant to a temperature of 400 F (240 C).
[0072] It will be appreciated that bags and receptacles of various
sizes and configurations may be used. For example, the bags could
be gusseted bags 154, as shown in FIG. 19.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 17, the bag 80 may have a height 160 in a
first range of 5 to 30 inches (13 to 76 cm) and a width 162 in a
first range of 5 to 30 inches (13 to 76 cm). The bag 80 may have a
height 160 in a second range of 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) and a
width 162 in a second range of 9 to 15 inches (23 to 38 cm). In one
embodiment, the bag may have a height 160 of 9 inches (23 cm) and a
width 162 of 12 inches (30 cm).
[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, the receptacle 50 may have a height 172
in a first range of 5 to 30 inches (13 to 76 cm) and a width 174 in
a first range of 5 to 30 inches (13 to 76 cm). The receptacle 50
may have a height 172 in a second range of 7 to 12 inches (18 to 30
cm) and a width 174 in a second range of 7 to 12 inches (18 to 30
cm). In one embodiment, the receptacle 50 may have a height 172 of
8.5 inches (22 cm) and a width 174 of 8 inches (20 cm).
[0075] Referring to FIG. 20, another embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The receptacle 200 is configured similarly to
the receptacle of FIG. 1, but the outer shell 202 of the receptacle
200 is not of an hourglass shape. The receptacle 200 instead tapers
from the rim 204, through the divider slot 206, to the bottom 208
along generally straight lines, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The
receptacle 200 also is not oval in shape. The front 210 and the
back 212 are flat and the sides 214, 216 are rounded. The divider
226 of the receptacle 200 defines a plane inside the outer rim 228,
as shown in FIG. 23. However, the receptacle 200 of FIG. 20 and the
receptacle 50 of FIG. 21 operate essentially in the same
manner.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 24, another embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The receptacle 300 may include an outer shell
302 defining a cavity 304, a rim 306 defining an opening 308, a bin
310, a compartment 312, a plurality of bags 314, a top 320, and a
bottom 322. The outer shell 302 may define the outside of the
receptacle 300, as well as the rim 306, and the bin 310, as shown
in FIG. 24. The bin 310 of the receptacle 300 is the space below
the rim 306 and above the inverted part 324 of the outer shell 302,
i.e. the bin wall 326. Accordingly, the bin 310 is outside of the
cavity 304 while the compartment 312 is inside the cavity 304.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the receptacle 300 may be
cylindrical in shape. The bottom 322 may be circular and flat,
while the outer shell 302 extends up from the bottom 322 to the rim
306 as a cylinder. Referring to FIG. 26, the rim 306 is at an angle
such that it may extend up from the front 316 of the receptacle 300
to the back 318 at an angle of about 30 degrees.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 26, the bin is 310 concave and has a
generally flat bottom 328. The bin wall 326, may be a continuous
part of the outer shell 302. In this embodiment, the bin wall 326
serves also as the divider 342. The bin wall 326 is not removable,
but does include a hole 332 through which bags may pass from the
compartment 312 to the bin 310, as in the earlier described
embodiments. The hole 332 may be cross shape, as shown in FIG. 27,
and is located in the bottom 328 of the bin 310. The two slots 336,
338 that form the cross 334 may be of equal size and the bags 314
may pass through either slot 336, 338 or both. Referring to FIG.
26, after a bag 314 is fed through the hole 332, the bag 80 may be
fitted around the rim 306 to receive refuse. After the bag is
filled, the bag 314 is removed and replaced as described
herein.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 28, the bottom 322 of the receptacle 300
is removable. Because the receptacle 300 may not have a removable
divider, a removable bottom 322 allows a user access to the
compartment 312 in order to load it with bags 314. The bottom 322
includes a bottom plate 344 that is flat, upon which the receptacle
300 stands. The bottom 322 also includes an inner wall 346 which is
sized slightly smaller than the inside circumference of the outer
shell 302 of the receptacle 300, as shown in FIG. 28. Accordingly,
the inner wall 346 of the bottom 322 may be inserted into the open
lower end 356 of the receptacle 300 until the lower end 356 of the
receptacle 300 abuts the outer ledge 348, which surrounds the inner
wall 346 of the bottom 322, as shown in FIG. 26. Once the inner
wall 346 is inserted, the interaction between the inner wall 346
and the inside 354 of the outer shell 302 holds the bottom 322 in
place via a friction fit. The outer shell 302 may have a band 358
of thicker material on the inside 354, proximate the lower end 356,
in order to ensure a better friction fit with the inner wall 346 of
the bottom 322, as shown in FIG. 26. In order to remove the bottom
322, a user simply needs to pull the bottom 322 away from the
receptacle 300 until the friction fit is overcome.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 28, the compartment 312 is a rectangular
enclosure located on the inside surface 350 of the bottom plate 344
and inside the inner wall 346. The compartment 312 includes a front
wall 362, a back wall 364, a first sidewall 366, and a second 368.
The compartment 312 is closed on the bottom by the bottom plate 344
and is open from above. Accordingly, the compartment 312 may
receive the plurality of bags 314 and the bags are dispensed
through the hole 332 in the bin wall 326, as shown in FIG. 26. The
plurality of bags 314 may be folded into a stack 370 with similar
dimensions to the compartment 312.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 29, another embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The receptacle 400 may be configured similarly
to the receptacle 300 of FIG. 24, but the bottom 404 is not fully
separable from the remainder of the receptacle 400. Instead, the
bottom 404 is hingedly attached to the outer shell 402 along a
hinge 406, as shown in FIG. 29. When closed, the bottom 404 is
mated to the lower end 412 of the receptacle 400 via a friction fit
between the inner wall 408 and the inner surface 410 of the outer
shell 402. In order to open the bottom 404, the user pivots the
bottom 404 down and away from the lower end 412 of the receptacle
400 along the hinge 406 to an open position, as shown in FIG. 29.
The bottom 404 is closed by pivoting the bottom 404 so that the
inner wall 408 is inserted into the outer shell 402.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 29, the compartment 414 may have a lid 416
that is hingedly attached to the front wall 424 of the compartment
414 along a lid hinge 418. The lid 416 may be pivoted from a closed
position, as shown in FIG. 29, to an open position in which the
compartment 414 may be loaded. The lid 416 may be shorter than the
compartment 414, to create a slot 420 between the end 422 of the
lid 416 and the back wall 426 of the compartment 414. The bags 436
may be fed through the slot 420 and then through the hole 430 in
the bin wall 434. The lid 416 may assist in keeping the plurality
of bags 436 in place within the compartment 414, permitting only
one bag 436 to be dispensed at a time. The bottom 438 of the bin
432 may prevent the lid 416 from opening as bags 436 are dispensed
out of the compartment 414.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 30, one embodiment of a large trash
receptacle 504 and a large trash bag 506 are shown. In this
example, the large trash bag 506 includes two small trash bags 80
along with other refuse. The large trash bag 506 may have a height
508 in a first range of 20 to 40 inches (51 to 102 cm) and a width
510 in a first range of 18 to 36 inches (46 to 92 cm). The trash
bag 506 may have a height 508 in a second range of 24 to 30 inches
(61 to 76 cm) and a width 510 in the second range of 20 to 28
inches (51 to 71 cm). The receptacle 504 may have a height 518 in a
first range of 16 to 30 inches (41 to 76 cm) and a width 520 in a
first range of 10 to 26 inches (25 to 66 cm). The receptacle 504
may have a height 518 in a second range of 20 to 24 inches (51 to
61 cm) and a width 520 in a second range of 14 to 18 inches (36 to
46 cm).
[0084] Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, another embodiment of the
present invention is shown. The receptacle 600 has a housing 602
with a back 604 that is substantially flat. The flat back 604
allows the receptacle 600 to be arranged flush against a backsplash
or a wall.
[0085] The present invention may be configured to accommodate
various arrangements of bags. Referring to FIG. 33, the receptacle
50 may include a plurality of bags 620 arranged in an interleaved
stack 622. The bags 620 may not be connected, but, because they are
interleaved, each bag may pull the subsequent bag through the
divider 62. Referring to FIG. 34, the bags 630 may be stacked in an
unconnected, uninterleaved stack 632. As such, the user may reach
through the hole 64 of the divider 62 to retrieve each subsequent
bag. Referring to FIG. 35, the bags 640 may be connected along a
perforated line 642 and arranged on a continuous roll 644. Each bag
may pull the subsequent bag through the divider 62. Referring to
FIG. 36, the bags 650 may be unconnected and arranged in a stack
652 folded horizontally. As such, the user may reach through the
hole 64 of the divider 62 to retrieve each subsequent bag.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 37, a refill pack 700 may be used to
refill the receptacle once all of the bags have been used. The
refill pack 700 may comprise a box 702 with an opening 704 through
which bags 706 are dispensed. Referring to FIG. 38, the refill pack
700 may be configured to fit within the compartment 76 of the
receptacle 50. The refill pack 700 may be sized such that when it
is inserted into the compartment 76, the pack 700 will be held
therein via a friction fit, as shown in FIG. 38. In another
embodiment, the refill pack may be held in the compartment by an
interference fit. The refill pack 700 may be configured such that
the opening 704 of the refill pack 700 aligns with the hole 64 of
the divider 62 when the refill pack is inserted into the receptacle
50. The bags 706 may be arranged in the refill pack 700 in a stack
708. In another embodiment, the refill pack may be inserted into
the receptacle and the receptacle may be used without the
divider.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 39, there is shown another embodiment of
the divider for the receptacle. The divider 720 may include a
single slot 722 defining a hole 724 that passes through the divider
720. The slot 722 may be sized to accommodate a finger and a thumb
of a user, so that the user may grab a bag within the
compartment.
[0088] A variety of bag types representing a variety of closing
means may be used with the present invention. Referring to FIG. 40,
a drawstring bag 750 may be used with the receptacle. The
drawstring bag 750 may have two sides 752, 754 and a hem 756,
wherein the hem 756 may have two openings 758, 760. A drawstring
762 may be threaded through the hem 756 and accessible by a user at
the two openings 758, 760. A user may pull on the drawstring 756 to
close the bag 750. The user may also tie the drawstring 756 to
secure the bag 750 closed.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 41, a zipper bag 764 with two sides 766,
768 and two interlocking closures 770, 772 may be used with the
receptacle. A user may use the interlocking closures 770, 772,
which are configured to sealingly engage one another, to seal the
bag 764.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 42, a tie-flap bag 774 with two sides 776,
778 may be used with the receptacle. The tie-flap bag 774 may have
four flaps 780, 782, 784, 786 that a user may tie to one another in
order to seal the bag 774.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 43, a fold-top bag 790 with two sides 792,
794 may be used with the receptacle. The fold top bag 790 may have
an upper flap 796 and a lower flap 798. The lower flap 798 may be
connected to the first side 792 along three edges 800, 802, 804. A
user may tuck the upper flap 796 under the lower flap 798 in order
to seal the bag 796.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 44, a bag 810 with two sides 812, 814 may
be used with the receptacle. The bag 810 may have two cohesive
strips 816, 818 along the inside 820 of the top edge 822. A user
may use the cohesive strips 816, 818, which may stick to one
another, to seal the bag 810.
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 45 and 46, another embodiment of the
present invention is shown. The receptacle 850 has a housing 852
with a back 854 that includes a substantially flat portion 856. The
flat back portion 856 is located substantially between the bottom
860 and the divider slot 862. As the back 854 tapers up and out to
the rim 864 above the divider slot 862, the back 854 may transition
from flat to round, as shown in FIG. 46. The flat portion 856 may
allow the receptacle 850 to be placed against a wall on a counter
with the flat portion 856 against a backsplash.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 47 and 48, there is shown another
embodiment of the divider for the receptacle. The divider 900 may
include a single slot 902 defining a hole 904 that passes through
the divider 900. The slot 902 may be sized to accommodate a finger
and a thumb of a user, so that the user may grab a bag within the
compartment when the divider 900 is inserted into the receptacle.
Referring to FIG. 49, the divider 900 may also include first and
second finger holds 906, 908, which are indentations extending down
from the bottom 910 of the divider 900. Referring to FIG. 47, the
finger holds 906, 908 may be located proximate the slot 902, with
the slot disposed between the first and second finger holds 906,
908. The finger holds 906, 908 may be configured to accommodate the
thumb and fingers of a user, thereby giving a user a convenient way
to hold the divider 900 while inserting and removing the divider
900.
[0095] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0096] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are
merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0097] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for
carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred
embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect
skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the
inventor(s) intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than
as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention
includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter
recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable
law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in
all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context.
* * * * *