U.S. patent application number 12/661815 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for spring biased canister for toilet brush or plunger.
Invention is credited to Keith DeLawrence Brown, Antonio Carlo Hernandez Celestin, Allen Zadeh.
Application Number | 20100193511 12/661815 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35908642 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100193511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Keith DeLawrence ; et
al. |
August 5, 2010 |
Spring biased canister for toilet brush or plunger
Abstract
A canister for housing a tool such as a toilet brush or plunger
and the canister has a pair of walls which pivot between an open
and closed position via actuation of a platform which moves
vertically within the canister upon receipt or removal of the tool
therefrom. An actuator is provided to actuate the walls and a bias
member may retain the walls in an open position when the tool is
removed from the canister.
Inventors: |
Brown; Keith DeLawrence;
(Montclair, NJ) ; Zadeh; Allen; (New York, NY)
; Celestin; Antonio Carlo Hernandez; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEYFARTH SHAW LLP
131 S. DEARBORN ST., SUITE 2400
CHICAGO
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Family ID: |
35908642 |
Appl. No.: |
12/661815 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10919638 |
Aug 17, 2004 |
7712609 |
|
|
12661815 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.21 ;
220/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.21 ;
220/200 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Claims
1. A canister comprising: a base; a first wall and a second wall
each hingedly attached to the base and moveable between a first and
second position; a spring activated platform mounted on the base
for movement relative to the base, the platform being located at an
interior portion of the canister; and an actuator disposed between
at least one of the first and second walls and the platform so that
upon movement of the platform, at least one of the first and second
walls is moved between the first and the second position, wherein
the first and second walls are biased at all times towards the
first position.
2. The canister of claim 1 wherein the platform is provided in, a
first condition biased upwardly from the base and the platform is
shaped to receive a tool thereon and placement of the tool on the
platform causes the platform to be depressed to a second condition
and to actuate at least one of the first and second walls to move
from the first position to the second position.
3. The canister of claim 2 wherein upon removal of the tool, the
platform is biased upward to the first condition and actuates at
least one of the first and second walls to move from the second
position to the first position.
4. The canister of claim 1 wherein the platform is mounted on a
bias member in order to move the platform between a first condition
where the platform is biased upward and elevated above the base and
a second condition where the platform is depressed and disposed
adjacent the base.
5. The canister of claim 1 wherein the canister includes a flange
and a pivot member, the flange attached to the platform and the
pivot member protruding from at least one of the first and second
walls and connected to the flange so that upon movement of the
platform the pivot member is displaced on the flange in order to
move at least one of the first and second walls between the first
and second position.
6. The canister of claim 1 wherein the base includes a cup and a
spring is mounted in the cup and biases the platform.
7. The canister of claim 6 wherein the platform includes a boss on
the bottom for receiving the spring so that the spring is disposed
between the boss of the platform and the cup on the base.
8. The canister of claim 1 wherein the platform includes a pair of
flanges disposed on each side and each flange includes a slot for
receiving rods provided by each wall.
9. The canister of claim 8 wherein the canister has a central axis
and the platform is biased vertically along the central axis.
10. The canister of claim 8 wherein the slots are oriented
perpendicular to the central axis.
11. The canister of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a pivot
member and the pivot member includes a rod having exposed ends and
each of the ends received in a slot provided by a pair of
flanges.
12. The canister of claim 11 wherein the platform is generally
cylindrical including a central receptacle for receiving a working
end of a tool therein and the platform includes an outer wall
adjacent the receptacle.
13. The canister of claim 12 wherein the outer wall includes an
opening through which the pivot member is received.
14. The canister of claim 1 wherein the base includes retention
member for receiving a pivot structure of each wall for pivotably
mounting the wall thereto.
15. The canister of claim 1 wherein the base includes a column for
receiving a tab protruding from the platform, wherein the column
and tab radially align the platform to the base.
16. The canister of claim 1 wherein the first wall and second wall
have generally the same arcuate shape.
17. A canister comprising: a base; an actuator pivotably mounted to
the base; a closer member attached to the actuator and biased in an
open position via the actuator and the closer member movable away
incrementally from the open position, but the actuator
automatically biases the closer member back to the open position;
and a platform disposed and biased in the canister and attached to
and biasing the actuator.
18. The canister of claim 17 further comprising a spring that is
mounted to the base and biases the actuator.
19. The canister of claim 18 wherein the closer member is movable
from the open position to a closed position and upon application of
a force against the spring, the closer member remains in the closed
position.
20. The canister of claim 17 wherein a platform is disposed in the
canister and the actuator is attached to the platform.
21. A canister comprising: a base; a pair of walls hingedly
connected to the base, the walls being movable between an open
position and a closed position; at least one platform located above
the base and cooperating with the walls to move the walls between
the open position and the closed position; and a biasing member
cooperating with the walls to bias the walls to the open position
at all times.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
10/919,638, filed Aug. 17, 2004, entitled "Spring Biased Canister
for Toilet Brush or Plunger".
[0002] The present invention pertains to a canister for housing
tools, such as a toilet brush or toilet plunger.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Canisters for housing toilet brushes or toilet plungers are
known which have a clamshell construction, including a pair of
walls which move between an open and a closed position. The
canister is generally composed of three parts: a base and a pair of
walls mounted on the base. Each wall is pivotally mounted on the
base. Each wall has a bottom member that extends perpendicular to
the wall and each bottom member overlaps one another. When a tool,
such as a toilet plunger or toilet brush, is placed between the
walls and is placed onto the bottom members, the weight of the tool
on the bottom members causes them to be depressed downward, which
in turn causes the walls to move from the open to the closed
position. The tool is then enclosed within the canister and the
walls surround the base of the tool, such as the brush portion or
plunger portion of the tool, and the handle protrudes up through an
opening formed in the top of the walls.
[0004] The use of overlapping base members, operates effectively in
order to move the walls to the closed position. However, such
canisters sometimes do not close completely or the walls do not
line up with each other and gaps may appear between the edges of
the walls. As well, such canisters can not be locked or maintained
in the open position and extra effort may be required in order to
insert the tool within the canister because it has closed. For
example, removal of the tool from the canister by pulling up on the
handle of the tool causes the brush portion or plunger end to abut
against the interior of the walls and causes the walls to move to
the open position. However, while the tool is separated from the
canister to clean or unclog a toilet, it is possible for the walls
of the canister to close. Because the canister does not have a
mechanism to retain the walls in the open position, an inadvertent
bump against one of the walls can cause the walls to close.
Therefore, when returning to the canister with the tool, it cannot
be placed quickly and easily inside the open canister. It is
necessary for the user to bend down, grab the walls with his or her
hands and spread them apart manually to the open position prior to
inserting the tool therein. As the canister may be dirty or covered
with germs or other matter, it may be undesirable for the canister
walls to be touched by a user's hand. Therefore, the inadvertent
closing of the walls of the canister while the tool is removed is
very undesirable. A canister that overcomes these disadvantages and
that can be quickly and inexpensively manufactured is
desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides for a canister comprising a
base, a wall attached to the base and moveable between a first and
second position, a platform bias mounted on the base and an
actuator disposed between the wall and the platform so that upon
movement of the platform the wall is moved between the first and
the second position and between the second and the first position.
In an embodiment, the platform may be provided in a first condition
biased upwardly from the base and the platform may be shaped to
receive a tool thereon and placement of the tool on the platform
may cause the platform to be depressed to a second condition and to
actuate the wall to move from the first position to the second
position. In an embodiment, upon removal of the tool, the platform
may be biased upward to the first condition in order to actuate the
wall to move from the second position to the first position. In an
embodiment, the actuator may include a flange and a pivot member,
the flange may be attached to the platform and the pivot member may
protrude from the wall connected to the flange so that upon
movement of the platform the pivot member may be displaced within
the flange in order to move the wall between the first and second
position.
[0006] In an embodiment, the platform may be mounted on a bias
member in order to move the platform between a first condition
where the platform is biased upward and elevated above the base and
a second condition where the platform is depressed and disposed
adjacent the base. In an embodiment, a pair of walls are hingedly
attached to the base and a tool may be mounted on the platform and
pushes the platform downward to the second condition so that the
walls are in the first position and a portion of the tool is
enclosed within the walls of the canister. In an embodiment, the
flange may include a slot and the pivot member may include a rod
that rides in the slot between a first end and second end of the
slot. When the platform is in the first condition the rod may be
located at the first end of the slot and when the platform is in
the second condition the rod may be located at the second end. The
translation of the rod between the first and second ends, may cause
the walls to pivot between the first and second positions.
[0007] In an embodiment, the base may include a cup and a spring
may be mounted in the cup and bias the platform. In an embodiment,
the platform may include a boss on the bottom for receiving the
spring, so that the spring is disposed between the boss of the
platform and a cup on the base. In an embodiment, the platform may
include a pair of flanges disposed on each side and each flange may
include a slot for receiving the rods. In an embodiment, the
canister may have a central axis and the platform may be biased
vertically along the central axis. In an embodiment, the slots may
be oriented perpendicular to the central axis. In an embodiment,
each side of the platform may include a pair of flanges, each
having a slot.
[0008] In an embodiment, each pivot member may include a rod having
exposed ends and the ends received in the slots of each pair of
flanges. In an embodiment, the platform is generally cylindrical
and includes a central receptacle for receiving a working end of a
tool therein and the base may include an outer wall surrounding the
receptacle. In an embodiment, the wall may include an opening
through which the pivot member is received. In an embodiment, a
pair of flanges may be disposed generally between the receptacle
and the outer wall may have one of the flanges disposed generally
on each side of the opening. In an embodiment, the base may include
retention fingers for receiving a pivot structure of each wall for
pivotally mounting the wall thereto. In an embodiment, the base may
include a column for receiving a tab protruding from the platform,
wherein the column and tab radially align the platform to the base.
In an embodiment, the base may include a ring disposed about its
bottom perimeter.
[0009] In another embodiment, the invention provides for a method
of operating a canister for housing a tool comprising the steps of
providing a canister having a pair of walls and a platform bias
mounted therein, inserting an end of the tool between the pair of
walls, placing the end of the tool on the platform, actuating the
platform via the weight of the tool applying a downward force on
the platform, pivoting the walls from an open position to a closed
position in order to enclose the end of the tool, lifting the tool
so that it is not resting on the platform, pushing the platform
upward via the bias member mounted under the platform and pivoting
the walls from the closed to the open position via the platform's
movement upward. In an embodiment, the method may further comprise
the steps of providing an actuator having a flange for receiving
rods protruding from the walls for translating vertical movement of
the platform via the actuator to arcing movement of the rod
traveling on the flange and pivoting the wall. In an embodiment,
the method may further comprise the step of maintaining the walls
in an open position via the bias force of the bias member pushing
the platform upward until a tool is placed on the platform in order
to counteract the bias force.
[0010] In a further embodiment, the invention provides for a method
of assembling a canister comprising the steps of providing a
platform having a flange, a bias member, a base having retention
fingers and a wall having a pivot structure and a pivot member,
attaching the pivot structure of the wall to the retention fingers
of the base so that the wall pivots on the base, mounting the bias
member to the base, mounting the platform to the base so that the
platform is supported by the bias member and attaching the flange
to the pivot member so that vertical movement of the platform is
translated to pivotal movement of the pivot member and the wall. In
an embodiment, the method may further comprise the steps of
providing a rod protruding from the pivot member and a slot on the
flange and inserting the rod in the slot so that the rod slides
between a first end of the slot when the platform is depressed and
a second end of the slot when the platform is elevated.
[0011] Another embodiment of the invention provides for a canister
comprising a base, an actuator bias mounted to the base and a
closer member attached to the actuator and biased in an open
position and the closer member may be movable away incrementally
from the open position, but the actuator automatically biases the
closer member back to the open position. In an embodiment, a bias
member may be mounted to the base and biases the actuator. In an
embodiment, the closer member may be movable from the open position
to a closed position and upon application of a force against the
bias member, the closer member can remain in the closed position.
In an embodiment, a platform may be disposed in the canister and
the actuator is attached to the platform. In an embodiment, the
closer member may include a wall pivotally mounted to the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the
subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the
accompanied drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of
which, when considered in connection with the following
description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its
construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be
readily understood and appreciated.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plunger canister
embodiment of the present invention in an open position;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toilet brush canister
embodiment of the present invention in an open position;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the canister of FIG. 1 taken
at line 3-3;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the canister of FIG. 2 taken
at line 4-4;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective top view of the canister
of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the
canister of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the canister of FIG. 1 in
a closed position; and
[0020] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the canister of FIG. 7 taken
at line 8-8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present invention is described with respect to
embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-8. FIGS. 1, 3 and 5-8 depict an
embodiment for receiving and housing a toilet plunger. FIGS. 2 and
4 depict an embodiment for housing a toilet brush. However, it is
to be understood that the present invention may be used for housing
other devices such as other tools used around a household or any
other item which has a handle protruding from a working end of the
tool which is desired to be housed within a canister. While the
figures may depict an embodiment either for housing a plunger or a
brush, like numerals will be used for like elements in each
embodiment.
[0022] The canister 10 includes a base 20. In an embodiment, the
base 20 is cylindrical and includes an annular rim 22 and a bottom
23. In an embodiment, pads 25 are disposed around the bottom 23 and
help to stabilize the base 20 when placed on a flat surface such as
a floor. A pair of closer members or walls 31, 32 are pivotally
mounted to the base 20. Although the embodiment depicted includes a
pair of walls 31, 32, the present invention may also have more than
two walls. It is to be understood that the mechanism of the present
invention could be adapted to operate for a canister 10 having two
or more walls or closer members. As depicted, the walls are
generally arcuate-shaped and when the walls are joined together in
the closed position (FIGS. 7 and 8), the walls form a generally
parabaloid shape. Such a parabaloid shape is convenient in that it
allows for a generally dome-shaped plunger or brush to be housed
therein. However, in an alternate embodiment the shape of the walls
31, 32 may be formed to more closely correspond to the shape of the
tool to be placed therein. In an alternate embodiment, the walls
31, 32 may be polygonal in shape and/or not correspond to the tool
placed therein. Each wall includes a lower portion 33 and an upper
portion 34. Each wall 31, 32 has at its upper portion 34 a
semicircular neck 35a, 35b. When the walls 31, 32 are in a closed
position, the semicircles 35a, 35b abut one another and form a
circular hole 35 through which a handle 80 of the tool may
protrude. In an alternate embodiment, any shape hole 35 may be
provided upon the closing of the walls 31, 32.
[0023] Disposed adjacent the lower portion 33 of each wall 31, 32
is an actuator 40. In an embodiment, the actuator 40 includes a
pivot member 41 and a pivot structure 42. The actuator 40 may
further comprise a flange 45. The actuator 40 acts to pivot the
walls 31, 32 upon activation via a platform 50. In an embodiment,
the pivot structure 42 is a semicircular-shaped tab that is
received by retention fingers 51 formed in the annular rim 22 of
the base 20. In an embodiment, three retention fingers 51 are
provided at each side of the base 20, for example in the twelve
o'clock and six o'clock positions (see FIG. 5). In an embodiment, a
pair of pivot structures 42 are provided on each actuator 40 and
are received by the retention fingers 51. In an embodiment, the
retention fingers 51 and pivot structure 42 are precision molded so
that the semicircular tabs 42 may be snap fit into the retention
fingers 51 and provide a pivoting connection of the wall 31, 32 to
the base 20. However, it is to be understood that any hinge type
mechanism may be provided in order to attach the wall 31, 32 to the
base 20. The pivot member 41 of the actuator 40 will be described
in more detail below.
[0024] A platform 50, 50a is mounted to the base 20. The platform
50, 50a is generally cylindrical and is shaped to receive a tool
60, 64 therein. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5-8, the platform 50 is
shaped to receive a plunger 60 therein. The platform 50 includes a
central receptacle 57, 57a and an outer wall 53, 53a. Each wall 53
has a pair of openings 55, 56. In an embodiment, the first opening
55 is at the twelve o'clock position and the second opening 56 is
at a six o'clock position. Each opening 55, 56 exposes a flange 45
disposed therein (see FIG. 6). In an embodiment, a pair of flanges
45 are disposed within each opening 55, 56 at each side of the
openings 55, 56. The overall shape of the platform 50, 50a
including the receptacle 57, bottom 58 and outer wall 53 are shaped
to conform to the tool 60, 64 placed therein. As depicted in FIGS.
1, 3 5 and 8 the receptacle 57 has a diameter slightly larger than
the outer diameter of the working end 61 of the plunger 60, so that
it may be securely mounted onto the platform 50. An upper rim 62 is
also shaped corresponding to the protruding annular rim of the
plunger 60 and includes protrusions 63 in order to stabilize it on
the platform 50.
[0025] As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4 the platform 50a is shaped so
that its receptacle 57a is slightly larger than the brush 64 to be
received therein. For example the receptacle 57a may be
frustroconical in shape in order to receive the
frustroconically-shaped brush end 64 of a toilet brush. In an
alternate embodiment, the shape of the platform 50, 50a and its
receptacle 57, 57a may be formed in any shape in order to
correspond with the shape of the working end of a tool to be
inserted therein.
[0026] The platform 50 in an embodiment, includes a boss 65 (see
FIG. 6) for receiving a bias member such as a coil spring 68. The
spring 68 is received in a cup 69 formed on the base 20 (FIG. 5).
The spring 68 is disposed between the cup 69 and the boss 65 and
biases the platform on the base 20. In an alternate embodiment, the
bias member 68 may be any known mechanical means for biasing such
as a living hinge, resilient or ring, spring arm, etc. The bias
member 68, in an alternate embodiment, may also directly bias the
actuator 40 or the walls 31, 32. In an embodiment, the longitudinal
axis of the spring 68 is aligned with the central axis of the
platform 50 and the base 20. As well the walls 31, 32 are attached
to the base 20 so that the hole 35 is also aligned with the central
axis. Therefore, upon placement of the tool 60, 64 on the platform
50, 50a the handle 80 of the tool will be aligned with the central
axis and protrude through the hole 35.
[0027] In an embodiment, the platform 50 includes tabs 70 that are
received within columns 71 protruding upward from the base 20 (see
FIGS. 5, 6 and 8). The alignment of the tabs 70 and columns 71
radially aligns the platform 50 to the base 20 in order that the
flanges 45 and openings 55 of the platform 50 are aligned to the
retention fingers 51 of the base 20. Such an orientation allows the
actuator 40 to be mounted so that its pivot structure 42 is mounted
to the retention fingers 51, the actuator 40 is received through
the openings 55, 56 and the pivot member 41 may engage the flanges
45 of the platform 50. The receptacle 57 may include drain slits
73.
[0028] As discussed above, the platform 50, 50a includes at least
one flange 45. In an embodiment, a pair of flanges 45 are provided
on each side. Each flange includes a slot 75 (see FIG. 6) adjacent
the openings 55, 56. Each slot 75 is generally oval-shaped and
extends perpendicular to the central axis of the platform 50. The
slot 75 receives the pivot member 41 therein. In an embodiment, the
pivot member is a rod 77 disposed so that it has a pair of free
ends 78a, 78b. The free ends 78a, 78b are received in the slots 75
oriented at each end of the rod 77. Each slot 75 includes a first
end 81 and a second end 82. The rod 77 translates between the first
end 81 and second end 82 of the slot 75. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
when the free end 78a of the rod 77 is received at the first end 81
of the slot 75, the walls 31, 32 will be pivoted outwardly to an
open or first position. The actuator 40, in an alternate
embodiment, may actuate the walls 31, 32 via other known
mechanisms. For example, the flanges 45 may be located on the walls
31, 32 and the pivot member 41 may be located on the platform
50.
[0029] Operation of the canister 10 proceeds by actuating the walls
from an open position, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, to a closed or
second position, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. The open position is
the position that the canister 10 remains in when a tool is not
inserted within the canister 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A tool,
such as a plunger 60 or brush 64, is inserted between the walls 31,
32. Prior to placement of the tool onto the platform 50, as
depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the walls 31, 32 will continue to be in
the open position because the platform 50 is biased by the spring
68. When the tool is released from a user's hand, the weight of the
tool will push downward on the platform 50 as shown in FIG. 8. The
spring 68 will have a predetermined bias rate, to allow for
compression of the spring 68 upon receipt of the weight of the tool
thereon. In an embodiment, the canister 10 and tool 60, 64 can be
designed, assembled and sold as a package. Thus, the weight of the
tool 60, 64 can be predetermined and the bias rate of the spring 68
can be carefully selected in a predetermined manner. Upon release
of the tool 60, 64 downward onto the platform 50, the spring 68
will compress and the platform 50 will move downward toward the
base 20 to a second condition.
[0030] Upon movement of the platform 50 downwardly, the rods 77
will be translated from the first end 81 to the second end 82 of
the slots 75. The vertical movement of the platform 50, flanges 45
and slots 75 downward causes the rod 77 to move in an arc toward
the base 20. The arrangement of the actuator 40 having the pivot
member 41 extended from the pivot structure 42 causes the wall 31,
32 to pivot inwardly toward a closed or second position, as
depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. When the tool 60 rests on the
platform 50, the platform 50 is lowered downward so that it is
generally abutting the base 20 and the spring 68 is completely
compressed in the first condition (see FIG. 8). In the closed
position, the tool 60 is enclosed within the closed walls 31, 32 of
the canister 10.
[0031] The operation of the canister continues by removal of the
tool 60, 64 from the canister 10. Upon gripping of the handle 80,
the tool 60, 64 is pulled in an upward direction along the central
axis, so that its weight is lifted from the platform 50 as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4. Upon lifting of the weight from the platform 50, the
spring 68 will bias the platform upwardly along the central axis.
The bias force of the spring 68 pushes the platform 50 upward to a
first condition (see FIGS. 3, 4) and causes the flanges 45 to move
upward which causes the rods 77 to translate from the second end 82
to the first end 81 of the slots 75. The translation of the rods 77
causes the walls 31, 32 to pivot outwardly to the open position.
Thus, further movement of the working end 61 of the tool upward is
not needed in order to open the canister, for example by the
working end 61 abutting against the interior of the walls 31,
32.
[0032] Once the tool 60, 64 is completely removed from between the
walls 31, 32, the canister 10 will remain in the open position.
Because the spring 68 continues to bias the platform 50 upwardly,
the walls will continue to be pivoted outwardly as depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, while the tool 60, 64 is being used, such
as to clean a toilet using a toilet brush 64 or to unclog a toilet
using a plunger 60, the canister 10 remains in the open position.
Even if the wall 31, 32 were to be struck or bumped by a user's
foot toward the closed position, the walls 31, 32 will be biased
automatically outward and return to the open position.
[0033] In an embodiment, the canister may be assembled by the
following steps. In an embodiment, each of the components of the
canister 10 may be injection molded of a hard polymer material. A
ring 90 is placed onto the base 20. Each of the walls 31, 32 are
attached to the base 20 by inserting the pivot structure 42 into
the retention fingers 51. In an embodiment, the pivot structure 42
may be snap-fit between the retention fingers 51. The spring 68 may
then be mounted into the cup 69. The platform 50 is then placed
onto the base 20 so that the bar 65 is aligned with the spring 68
and the tabs 70 are aligned with the columns 71. Such alignment
provides for the actuator 40 to be aligned with the openings 55, 56
and the actuator 40 protrudes within the openings 55, 56 so that
the rods 77 may be aligned with the slot 75 and inserted into the
slots 75. Therefore, it can be understood that the canister 10, may
be simply and quickly assembled. In order to package or ship the
canister 10, an adhesive decal or tape may be placed on each side
of the walls 31, 32 to adhere the walls 31, 32 in their closed
position. Upon receipt by the end user, the adhesive may be removed
so that the canister 10 maintains its open position until a tool
60, 64 is inserted therein. Alternatively, the canister 10 may be
packaged and shipped with a tool 60, 64 housed therein in the
closed position.
[0034] The matter set forth in the foregoing description and
accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and is
not as a limitation a limitation. While particular embodiments have
been shown and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in
the art that changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the broader aspects of applicant's contribution. The
actual scope of protection sought is intended to be defined in the
following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on
the prior art.
* * * * *