U.S. patent application number 12/421349 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for method and apparatus for vacuum release of a trash bag in a waste container.
Invention is credited to George W. Herndon.
Application Number | 20090255934 12/421349 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41163144 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090255934 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herndon; George W. |
October 15, 2009 |
Method and apparatus for vacuum release of a trash bag in a waste
container
Abstract
A method and apparatus prevents vacuum restraint during removal
of a plastic trash bag liner from a trash container. The side wall
of the trash container includes a vent port near the bottom of the
container, and a flapper valve attached above the vent port on the
inside of the container covers the port with a covering element
while the trash bag rests. When the trash bag is filled and
thereafter lifted out of the trash container, the covering element
lifts to open the vent port and cause an inflow of air under the
trash bag to prevent a vacuum forming.
Inventors: |
Herndon; George W.;
(Thomasville, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRIAN D. BELLAMY
P.O. BOX 1997
THOMASVILLE
GA
31799-1997
US
|
Family ID: |
41163144 |
Appl. No.: |
12/421349 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61123507 |
Apr 9, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/495.04 ;
29/401.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/068 20130101;
Y10T 29/49716 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/495.04 ;
29/401.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/14 20060101
B65D025/14 |
Claims
1. A method for preventing vacuum restraint of a plastic trash bag
comprising: providing a trash container with an interior defined by
a bottom wall a plurality of side walls; providing a vent port in
one of the side walls substantially near the bottom wall; covering
the vent port with a covering element while the trash bag rests in
the trash container and is filled; and lifting the covering element
to open the vent port and cause an inflow of air under the trash
bag upon lifting the trash bag upward out of the trash
container.
2. A method for preventing vacuum restraint of a plastic trash bag
as in claim 1 in which covering the vent port includes providing a
flapper valve attached above the vent port on the interior of the
trash container with the covering element provided on the flapper
valve for covering the vent port.
3. A method for preventing vacuum restraint of a plastic trash bag
as in claim 2 in which a flexible arm is provided on the flapper
valve for retaining the covering element and the flexible arm bends
when lifting the covering element.
4. An apparatus for prevention of vacuum restraint that may occur
during removal of a plastic trash bag comprising: a trash container
having a bottom wall and side walls that define an interior of the
trash container; a vent port through one of the side walls situated
at a position substantially near the bottom wall; and a flapper
valve having a mounting element, a flexible arm and a covering
element and attached in the interior of the trash container by
affixing the mounting element to the side wall above the vent port
such that the covering element is arranged to cover the vent port
when resting.
5. An apparatus as described in claim 4 in which the vent port is a
circular hole and the covering element is a circular plug.
6. An apparatus as described in claim 4 in which the covering
element include an inside face having a friction creating element
comprised of a raised surface.
7. A method of modifying an existing trash container to prevent
vacuum restraint that may occur when a plastic trash bag is pulled
out of the trash container, said method comprising: obtaining a
flapper valve; making a vent port through a wall of the trash
container and at a position substantially near a bottom wall of the
trash container; attaching the flapper valve to the wall of the
trash container at a position above the vent port when the trash
container is upright so that the flapper valve flexibly lifts
inward and upward and so that a plug on the flapper valve aligns
with the vent port and seals the vent port closed when resting and
so that the plug opens the vent port causing a flow of outside air
into the trash container when the trash bag is lifted.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
improving trash receptacles by preventing vacuum restraint of a
trash bag during removal. In particular, the invention prevents
vacuum restraint by introducing air to the trash receptacle through
a valve during removal of the bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Trash containers for collecting trash and waste often are
typically lined with plastic trash bags. Once the container is
full, the plastic trash bag lining the container is removed to
clean and empty the container. However, the weight and volume of
the trash bag often fills the entire volume of the container,
especially the lower portion of the container. During the filling
of the trash bag, air is pressed out of the container from below
the bag and the bag begins to press against the walls of the
container. When removing the trash bag, the bag remains pressed
against the container sometimes forming an air lock seal that
creates a vacuum below the bag within the container. Such vacuum
causes a restraint that makes removal of a bag more difficult,
particularly for weak and infirm individuals. Thus, it would be
beneficial to eliminate the vacuum restraint within a trash
container when the trash bag is removed so as to prevent the
nuisance of such restraint.
[0003] Several prior devices provide vacuum prevention or removal
by a various methods but without all of the advantages of the
present invention. For instance, some devices reduce vacuum
restraint by flow of air from the top of the container. U.S. Pat.
No. 7,438,199 to Tidrick, U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,876 to Stastny, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,294,379 to Bard, U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,063 to Poliquin and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,241 Barnett, et al. vent air from the top of
the container and each require a conduit to the top of the
container. This conduit likely increases the cost of construction
of the container or requires aftermarket modification with lose
parts that remain separable from the container. Such an open air
vent to the top of a trash container also has the potential for
release odors from the bottom of the container.
[0004] Several others trash containers provide baffles formed
within the interior of the container wall, such as U.S. Pat. No.
6,736,281 to Joseph. These baffles modify the interior shape of the
container or add to the complexity and cost of manufacture of the
container itself. As with the top venting methods, such baffles may
permit odors from to the bottom of the container to be released
upwardly.
[0005] Other trash containers are vented at the bottom of the
container with a plurality of holes such as in U.S. Pat. No.
5,803,303 to Timm, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,247 to Boover.
These holes remain open during use of the container and provide
potential for leakage of liquid waste from the container and
release of odors. In some cases the holes may be covered by the
liner and create a seal that does not rapidly relieve a vacuum
restraint when removing the bag.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,717 to LeVasseur provides a large enough
vent with a grill structure, but does not provide a valve or
closure for the vent. The vent may release odors and permit insects
and other pests into the container. Further, the vent may be
blocked by the bag, causing a temporary vacuum restraint.
[0007] A need exists for a vacuum release means for trash
receptacles that overcomes the disadvantages associated with these
prior devices. Such vacuum release should be easy to construct,
adaptable to new or existing containers, resistant to pests or
odors related to the trash container, automatic and instant
releasing of vacuum restraint when removing a trash bag and of
long-lasting construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing shortcomings of vented trash
containers and the need for a trash container that effectively
provides for elimination of vacuum restraint, the present invention
provides a new and improved method and apparatus for preventing
vacuum restraint within a trash container when removing a plastic
liner or bag. To attain this, the present invention provides a new
construction of a valve and vent aperture within a trash container.
The container comprises a bottom wall with a plurality of side
walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define the
container with a large opening at the top for receiving a plastic
trash bag. The vent aperture is formed in one of the side walls of
the container. A flapper valve is attached to the container and
arranged to lift inward and upward upon removal of the trash bag.
The flapper valve includes a boot that settles into the vent
aperture and can seal the vent aperture closed until the trash bag
is lifted upward. In combination with means to form the vent
aperture, the flapper valve and attachment accessory may be
provided as a kit to adapt the method and device to existing trash
containers.
[0009] There are several objects of the present invention,
including the following:
[0010] A first object is the instant relief of vacuum restraint
from a trash container when removing a plastic trash bag from the
container. Thus, an object is also for the vacuum relief system to
work automatically.
[0011] Another object is to provide a vacuum relief system for
trash receptacles that is pest and odor resistant.
[0012] Another object is to cheaply incorporate a vacuum relief
system into existing trash containers, while also providing a
system that incorporates into new trash containers without greatly
increasing the cost of manufacture. Thus, another object is to use
preexisting stock components for construction.
[0013] Still another object is to provide a vacuum relief method
and apparatus that does not effect the volume or effectiveness of
the container by negatively impacting the nesting of the plastic
liner in the trash container, reducing the capacity of the
container, or causing trash bags to snag and tear within the
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trash container with a
vacuum release valve in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the trash container.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective and side view of the flapper and
plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the trash container wall
showing the construction of the vacuum release valve in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate
improvements to a trash container 10 that make removal of a plastic
trash bag 18 free of vacuum restraint. Such improvements may be
applied to household trash containers, yard debris containers, and
commercial trash containers that are suitable for disposable
plastic trash bag liners. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment
of the invention. The trash container 10 is shown with a plastic
trash bag 18 inserted. The bag 18 is removed when full by pulling
the bag upward out of the container 10 with force. The invention
reduces the removal force required by eliminating vacuum restraint
of the bag 18 during removal. The trash container 10 comprises a
bottom wall 20 as shown in FIG. 2 and a plurality of side walls 26
that are rectangular, curved or a combination thereof. The side
walls 26 extend upward from the bottom wall 20, and the bottom wall
and side walls define the interior 28 of the trash container 10.
The material the trash container 10 is constructed of may vary and
is not limited to plastic or metal. The trash container 10 has an
open top for the insertion and removal of the disposable plastic
trash bag 18. The plastic trash bag 18 is placed within the trash
container 10 to line the interior 28 and make removal of waste easy
and clean.
[0019] One of the side walls 26 of the trash container 10 is
modified and improved to include an air allowing component 16 that
includes a vent port 30. The vent port 30 is situated substantially
near or adjacent to the bottom wall 20 to promote the correct air
flow. Usually the vent port 30 is about 1.5 inches from the bottom
wall 20. The vent port 30 allows air to enter the interior 28 of
the trash container 10 under and around the plastic trash bag 18
when removing the trash bag. By the entry of the air, the vacuum
potential in the trash container does not develop, and the vacuum
restraint is prevented. The vent port 30 shown is a circular hole
and about 1.875 inches in diameter. The size of the vent port 30
may be adjusted according to the size of the trash container 10 or
according to the side of the plug 39, usually from about 1.0 to 3.0
inches. Most vented trash containers 10 will function effectively
with a single vent port 30 and a flapper valve 34 to preclude
development of a vacuum under the trash bag 18 in said container.
However, additional vent ports 30 may be added for very large trash
containers. Larger containers may require two or more vent ports 30
and flapper valves 34. Although, no more than two vent ports 30
should be needed for typical household garbage containers.
[0020] The vent port 30 is covered from the interior of the trash
container 10 by a flapper valve 34. The flapper valve 34 includes a
mounting element 36, a flexible arm 37, and a movable covering
element 38. FIG. 3 illustrates the flapper valve 34 separate from
the trash container 10 in which the flapper valve 10 is constructed
of a single prefabricated piece of durable and flexible material
such as Neoprene, synthetic rubber or a similar material. The
mounting element 36 is affixed to the interior surface of the side
wall of the trash container 10 above the vent port 30 as shown in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The flexible arm 37 extends downward from the
mounting element 36 and holds the movable covering element 38 in
its position relative to the vent port 30. When lowered and closed,
the covering element 38 fits into or over the vent port 30 to close
the vent port and prevent the entry of outside air or pests, or the
escape of odor or debris from the interior 28 of the container
10.
[0021] The mounting element 36 may be attached to the interior of
the trash container 10 by any suitable means. The mounting point is
determined such that the flexible arm 37 will hold the covering
element 38 for lifting and lowering the covering element with
respect to the vent port 30 and covering the vent port when
lowered. The attachment means may include welding and bonding
processes, gluing, or mechanical fastener. Rivets are one suitable
choice for mechanical fastener because of their strength and smooth
profile on the interior and exterior surfaces of the trash
container 10.
[0022] The flexible arm 37 may comprise a soft, flexible rubber
material like that used in common toilet tank flapper valves. The
rubber material is durable, resistant to corrosion and flexible
enough for the purpose of providing a lifting valve in trash
containers. The flexible arm 37 connects the covering element 38 to
the mounting element 36 and provides a lever for lifting the
covering element upward while pivoting about the mounting point.
The flexible arm 37 should be flexible enough that the friction and
suction of lifting a trash bag 18 from the trash container 10
causes the arm to flex and allows the covering element 38 to lift,
opening the vent port 30.
[0023] The covering element 38 extends from the flexible arm 37 and
is shaped to cover the vent port 30. The shape and design of the
covering element 38 may be customized according to the shape and
configuration of the vent port 30. In the mode shown in the
figures, the covering element 38 comprises a circular plug 39 on
the outside face of the covering element that fits within the vent
port 30. The covering element 38 also includes a flange 40 about
the circular plug 39 that overlaps and covers the edge of the vent
port 30 on the interior of the trash container side wall 26. Thus,
the covering element 38 creates a seal around the vent port 30 when
closed. The covering element 38 may include a raised surface 42 or
other friction creating element on the inside face of the covering
element that improves the lifting action of the flapper valve 34
when removing a trash bag 18 from the container 10.
[0024] A preexisting trash container 10 may incorporate the
features of the present invention through provision of a kit. The
kit includes a device or instructions for forming the vent port 30
in one side wall of the trash container 10 about 1.5 inches above
the bottom wall 20. A device or instructions are also provided for
attaching the flapper valve 34 to the interior of the trash
container 10 by a bonding agent, glue, or mechanical fastener that
is also included with the kit.
[0025] During use of the trash container 10, an empty trash bag is
placed into the container through the open top so that the bottom
of the trash bag rests upon the interior surface of the bottom wall
20. The trash bag is gradually filled with garbage until time to
remove and replace the full trash bag 18. Upon which time, the
trash bag 18 is pulled upward and out of the trash container. In
doing so, the movable flapper valve 34 is activated and
automatically detects a developing vacuum potential. The flapper
valve 34 reacts by the covering element 38 lifting with the
flexible arm 37 flexing inward and upward, thus allowing outside
air to enter through the vent port 30 into the interior of the
trash container 10 under and around the full trash bag 18. Since
the vacuum restraint does not develop, the full trash bag 18 can
more easily be lifted out of the trash container 10 without the
restriction of a vacuum buildup within the container. The covering
element 38 relaxes on the flexible arm 37 and rests back into the
vent port 30 when the bag is not being removed or a new empty bag
is inserted. The covering element 38 is allowed to compress firmly
against the inside of the side wall 26, effectively sealing the
vent port 30.
[0026] Although the invention has been described in terms of
exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the
appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other
variants and embodiments of the invention which may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range
of equivalents of the invention.
* * * * *