U.S. patent application number 12/432332 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-29 for trash container.
Invention is credited to Twanda Mobley.
Application Number | 20090266836 12/432332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41213993 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090266836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mobley; Twanda |
October 29, 2009 |
Trash Container
Abstract
A trash collection device having a body for containing trash, a
cover hingeable to the body. The body has an opening for receiving
a connector that is connectable to an external structure. The body
has a flat surface for mounting against an external structure.
Inventors: |
Mobley; Twanda; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE LAW OFFICE OF RANDALL T. ERICKSON, P.C.
1749 S. NAPERVILLE ROAD, SUITE 202
WHEATON
IL
60187
US
|
Family ID: |
41213993 |
Appl. No.: |
12/432332 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61126554 |
Apr 29, 2008 |
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12432332 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/141 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/810 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/04 20060101
B65D051/04 |
Claims
1. A collection device comprising: a body; a cover hingable to the
body; and wherein the body comprises an opening for receiving a
connector that is connectable to an external structure.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a flat surface
for mounting against an external structure.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the opening comprises two
openings each for receiving a connector that is connectable to an
external structure.
4. The device of claims 1, wherein the body comprises a base and an
upper portion.
5. The device of claim 4, where the upper portion extends under the
base to support the base.
6. The device of claim 4, wherein the base and the upper portion
are each integrally molded.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a handle, and
the body comprises a latch, the handle is releasably engagable with
a latch for securing the cover over the body in a closed
condition.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the handle comprises a push
button release for engaging and releasing the latch.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover is hinged to the
body.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a hinge
mount; the hinge mount has at least one spring element for biasing
the cover towards an open position.
11. The device of claim 1, comprising a mount plate connected to
the body for attaching the device to an external surface.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the mount plate is configured to
connect to an upwardly extending external surface to support the
device in a suspended position above an underlying surface.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein the mount plate is connected to
the body by at least one spacing connector, where the spacing
connector separates the body from the from the mount plate.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the spacing connector comprises
end portions, the mount plate comprises engaging receivers, and the
body comprises engage receivers, the end portions are slideably
engageable with the engaging receivers of the mount plate or the
engaging receivers of the body.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a back having
horizontally extending impression areas, and wherein at least one
opening is located in a top portion of at least one impression
area.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a back
having horizontally extending impression areas, at least one
opening is located in a top portion of at least one of the
impression areas, the spacing connector connects to the body in at
least one impression area.
17. A collection device for containing trash, recyclable, or
storage items comprising: a body for containing items; a cover
hingeable to the body; and wherein the body comprises an opening
for receiving a connector that is connectable to an external
structure.
18. The device of claim 17, comprising a mount plate connected to
the body for attaching the device to an external surface.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein the mount plate is connected to
the body by at least one spacing connector, where the spacing
connector separates the body from the from the mount plate; and the
mount plate is configured to connect to an upwardly extending
external surface to support the device in a suspended position
above an underlying surface; and the spacing connector comprises
end portions, and the mount plate comprises engaging receivers, the
end portions are slideably engageable with engaging receivers to
connect the spacing connector to the mount plate; and the body
comprises engage receivers, the end portions are slideably
engageable with engage receivers to connect the spacing connector
to the body.
20. A method of storing items, comprising the steps of: providing a
body for holding items, providing a mount plate for mounting the
body to upwardly extending structure, said mount plate connected to
said body with at least one spacing connector; providing a cover
attached to the body and biased toward an open position by at least
one biasing element and a latch for holding the cover in a closed
position; releasing the latch; and placing items inside the body.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/126,554 filed Apr. 29, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to trash receptacles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The amount and collection of trash is an ever-growing
problem. This is especially true in consumer sectors where a large
amount of refuse is discarded daily. Most consumers have trash
receptacles adjacent to their homes for collecting trash generated
in or around the home. The contents of the trash bins may be
collected or disposed of on a regular basis, for example by curb
side pickup.
[0004] When people are outdoors they may not take the time to take
their trash to a garbage receptacle inconveniently located a long
distance from the trash origination location. Consequently, this
presents problems people who are enjoying the great outdoors.
Therefore, the trash may be left on the lawn, in the streets, and
in the sewer drainage thereby polluting the environment.
[0005] The inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to
have a trash container for storing paper, bottles, glass cans, and
other trash, that is mountable to an upward extending
structure.
[0006] The inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to
have a trash receptacle that can be secured outdoors to fixtures
including horizontal or vertical application, such as, railings,
horizontal posts, terraces, porches, gates, decks, or balconies.
The inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to have a
trash receptacle that is configured to be mounted with removable
straps or another suitable hanger for secured placement.
[0007] The inventor recognized that it would be advantageous to
have a trash receptacle that can be secured to flat wall surfaces
including brick, siding, drywall or wood to increase the usability
in indoor or outdoor locations. The trash receptacle is also
configured to be attached to a wall mount for flat surface
mounting. The increased usability may be obtained by mounting the
receptacle in a position raised above the floor or ground so as to
free said floor or ground for alternative uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The trash collection device of the invention provides has a
body for containing trash, a cover hingeable to the body. The body
has an opening for receiving a connector that is connectable to an
external structure.
[0009] In an embodiment, the body comprises a flat surface for
mounting against an external structure.
[0010] In an embodiment, the opening comprises two opening each for
receiving a connector that is connectable to an external
structure.
[0011] In an embodiment, the body has a base and an upper portion.
The upper portion extends under the base to support the base.
[0012] In an embodiment, the base and the upper portion of the base
are each integrally molded components.
[0013] In an embodiment, the cover has a handle, and the body had a
latch. The handle is releasably engagable with a latch for securing
the cover over the body in a closed condition. The handle may have
a push button release for engaging and releasing the latch.
[0014] In an embodiment, the body has a hinge mount. The hinge
mount has at least one spring element for biasing the cover towards
an open position.
[0015] In an embodiment, the device has a mount plate connectable
to the body for attaching the device to an external surface. The
mount plate is connected to the body by at least one spacing
connector, where the spacing connector separates the body from the
from the mount plate.
[0016] In an embodiment, the spacing connector has end portions,
and the mount plate has engaging receivers, the end portions are
sildably engageable with engaging receivers to connect the spacing
connector to the mount plate.
[0017] In an embodiment, the spacing connector has end portions,
and the body has engaging receivers. The end portions are sildably
engageable with engage receivers to connect the spacing connector
to the body.
[0018] In an embodiment, the body has a back with vertically
extending impression areas, and wherein the opening is located in a
top portion of the impression areas.
[0019] An advantage of trash collection device is that it enables
users to mount a trash receptacle in very convenient places such as
outside of one's residence or corporate buildings. Another
advantage of the trash collection device is that it enables a user
to open a trash cover with ease by the push of a button.
[0020] Another advantage of trash collection device is that the
device can be left in place and emptied by lifting a plastic liner
out of the trash container.
[0021] Another advantage of trash container is that it can be
installed on flat wall surfaces such as brick, siding, drywall,
wood, etc. for additional space saving benefits indoors or
outdoors. The space saving benefits are realized because the
container may be suspended above the floor or ground, and therefore
frees the floor or ground space for other uses.
[0022] Yet another advantage of trash collection device is that it
can be installed on fencing, railings, decks, etc without modifying
the trash container or an external support structure, such as a
fence railing. Trash collection device can be used to store bulk
materials in outdoor or indoor locations.
[0023] Numerous other advantages and features of the present
invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a trash collection
device or container of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a second front perspective of a the container with
a cover removed;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a back view of the container with the cover
removed;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a top view of the container with the cover
removed;
[0028] FIG. 5 is perspective view of the cover;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a third perspective view of the container;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the container;
[0031] FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken of the
mount;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a second rear perspective view of the container;
and
[0033] FIG. 10 is a third rear perspective view of the container
attached to an exterior structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be
described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
illustrated. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/126,554 is
incorporated by reference.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows the portable trash collection device or
container 100 in a closed condition. Container 100 may have a semi
round shape across a front wall of the container 100 as shown in
FIG. 2. The container 100 includes a body 110 having a semi round
cavity with a hinged cover 130 and a reinforced bottom floor 140.
The body 110 fits over the folded sections of bottom floor 140 as
shown in FIG. 4 to reinforce the bottom of the container 100. The
bottom 140 has holes for draining liquids that may accumulate in
the container 100. In another embodiment the bottom and the body
maybe made as one unitary part.
[0036] The cover 130 has a handle 132. The handle connects and
secures to a latch 134 of the body 110. The latch 134 is
releaseably engagable with the handle 132. The handle 132 may
comprise a push button release whereby the latch is released when
the handle is pushed downward.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the body contains a hinge section that
is integral with the top of back wall. Cover has a front lip with
push button. The back as shown in FIG. 3 has a pair of horizontal
directed slots. As shown in FIG. 6, tabs fit upwardly through slits
so that back section can hold the cover in position.
[0038] FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 9, and 7, show a back 114 of the container
100 has a pair of vertical impression areas 118a, 118b that extend
from the bottom of the body 110. The back may be generally flat in
shape. The vertical impressions have ends 118c, 118d on the back
114 below the top perimeter 112. The ends 118c, 118d extend from
the inner portion of the impressions toward the outer portions of
the back 114 creating a substantially horizontal surface. The ends
118c, 118d each have retaining exit strap holes 116c, 116d
respectively. The back has two hinge mounts 120, 122. The hinge
mounts 120, 122 each have entry strap holes 116a, 116b,
respectively. The exit strap holes 116c, 116d, correspond to the
entry strap holes 116a, 116b, respectively. It is understood that
the exit strap holes and entry strap holes could be swapped in
their function so that the exit strap holes operate as entry strap
holes and the entry strap holes operate as exit strap holes. The
entry holes receive the straps which extent out the exit holes. As
shown in FIG. 10, straps 150, 152 may be used to secure the
container 100 to an exterior structure, such as a fence 1010, a
wall or another upward extending structure. The mount may
supportably connect the device to an upwardly extending structure
so as to suspend the device above the ground or an underlying
surface.
[0039] FIG. 4. shows the hinge mounts 120, 122. The hinge mounts
120, 122 each have a support 144, 146. The hinge mounts have pivot
bars 140, 142. Pivot connectors are formed in the hinge mount
extensions 137, 138 pivot of the top 130. The pivot connectors are
c-shapped and engagable with the pivot bars 140, 142. The pivot
connectors have a spring engagement element. The spring engagement
elements engage springs 148, 149 of the hinge mounts 120, 122. The
springs bias the cover 130 towards an open condition, as shown in
FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10 when engaging the spring engagement elements.
When the latch 134 is released, the springs bias the cover towards
an open condition to provide access to the interior of the
container.
[0040] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a container 100 having a mount 160. The
back 114 is connected to the wall mount 160 by support connectors
162 and 164. The wall mount 160 has a wall side 160a and a
container side 160b. The support connectors 162, 164 slidably
engage the support connector engagement members 124, 126. The
support connectors 162, 164 engage receivers 168, 169, respectively
of the mount 160. FIG. 8 shows one of the support connector 162 and
the mount 160 in detail. The support connectors 162 and 164 are
identical. A wall engagement end 162b of the support connectors
slidably engages the support connector engagement member 168. The
engagement member 168 has a bottom stop 168a that prevents the
support connector 162 from exiting the engagement member 168 in the
A direction. The mount engagement end 162b engages the receiver 124
wall 114. The mount 160 has a number of holes 167a, 167b, 167c for
securing the mount 160 to an external surface. The mount is
attachable to an exterior structure, such as a wall, so as to
support the device 100.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 10, a bag 1002 can be inserted into the
cavity of the body 110 and the open end of the bag is folded over
the top perimeter 112 of the body 110. The bag 1002 may be held in
place when part of the open end of the bag 1102 is slid between the
body member 110 and the cover 130 when the cover is in a closed
condition. The bag 1002 may also be held in place by securing the
bag around the outside of the top perimeter 112 with a tightening
string or strap (not shown). This holds the upper portion of bag in
a tight relationship relative to the top of container. Cover 130
closes on top of the open bag.
[0042] The container 100 may be made of corrugated plastic,
aluminum, steel, or another durable material. The surfaces of the
container may be coated with material that resists water, snow, ice
and the like. Printed matter and color can be applied to the
container. While the container may be useable with other items, it
is particularly configured for containing trash and recycling
items.
[0043] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that
no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated
herein is intended or should be inferred.
* * * * *