U.S. patent application number 12/394673 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-02 for dividable step garbage can.
This patent application is currently assigned to UMBRA LLC. Invention is credited to David Quan.
Application Number | 20100219192 12/394673 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42663727 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100219192 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quan; David |
September 2, 2010 |
DIVIDABLE STEP GARBAGE CAN
Abstract
A garbage can including a can portion having a bottom wall, a
tubular wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and including
an upper rim, an inner chamber defined by the bottom wall and the
tubular wall, and an open top, a bar adapted to be removably
secured simultaneously to a first location and a second location on
the upper rim, a ring having a recessed under surface adapted to
receive the upper rim therein, the ring being pivotally coupled to
the container and arranged to pivot onto and off of the upper rim,
and a lid pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to pivot
onto and off of the ring when the ring is arranged on the upper
rim, wherein the ring is adapted to secure a flexible material
between the recessed under surface and the upper rim.
Inventors: |
Quan; David; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIMPSON & SIMPSON, PLLC
5555 MAIN STREET
WILLIAMSVILLE
NY
14221-5406
US
|
Assignee: |
UMBRA LLC
Buffalo
NY
|
Family ID: |
42663727 |
Appl. No.: |
12/394673 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/495.08 ;
220/495.09; 220/694 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/163 20130101;
B65F 1/067 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/495.08 ;
220/495.09; 220/694 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/16 20060101
B65D025/16; B65D 90/62 20060101 B65D090/62 |
Claims
1. A garbage can comprising: a can portion having a bottom wall, a
tubular wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and including
an upper rim, an inner chamber defined by the bottom wall and the
tubular wall, and an open top; a bar adapted to be removably
secured simultaneously to a first location and a second location on
the upper rim, wherein the bar is arranged to extend over the inner
chamber between the first and the second location on the upper rim
when removably secured thereto; a ring having a recessed under
surface adapted to receive the upper rim therein, the ring being
pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to pivot onto and
off of the upper rim; and, a lid pivotally coupled to the container
and arranged to pivot onto and off of the ring when the ring is
arranged on the upper rim, wherein the ring is adapted to secure a
flexible material between the recessed under surface and the upper
rim.
2. The garbage can recited in claim 1, wherein the upper rim
comprises a top edge and the bar is arranged elevationally lower
than the top edge when removably secured to the upper rim.
3. The garbage can recited in claim 1, wherein the bar includes a
first end comprising a first hook and a second end comprising a
second hook, and the first hook is adapted to clasp onto the upper
rim at the first location and the second hook is adapted to clasp
onto the upper rim at the second location.
4. The garbage can recited in claim 1, wherein the upper rim
includes a first slot at the first location and a second slot at
the second location, the bar includes a first end having a first
tab and a second end having a second tab, and the first tab is
adapted to be inserted into the first slot, and the second tab is
adapted to be inserted into the second slot
5. The garbage can recited in claim 1, wherein the garbage can
further comprises a: step pedal pivotably connected to the bottom
wall; and, a lift arm having a bottom end and a top end, wherein
the lift arm is pivotably connected to the step pedal at the bottom
end and pivotably connected to the lid at the top end, and the step
pedal is arranged to lever the lift arm upwardly when pivoted in a
first direction, and the lift arm is arranged to pivot the lid off
of the ring when levered upwardly by the step pedal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention broadly relates to garbage cans, in particular
to garbage cans having the means to secure at least two garbage
bags therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Garbage cans are well known. Generally, a garbage can
comprises an open top container often including a lid attached
thereto, wherein the container is adapted to receive an open
garbage bag therein for receiving disposed items. The upper margin
of a garbage bag held within the container is often draped over the
upper edge of the container, and the bag maintains its position
within the container primarily by means of frictional forces
between the bag and the upper edge of the container.
[0003] Accordingly, a problem with prior garbage cans is that the
upper margin of a garbage bag held therein tends to get pulled off
the upper edge and fall to the bottom of the container, leaving a
user with the unpleasant and unhygienic task of retrieving an often
soiled garbage bag from the bottom of a dirty garbage can. Attempts
to solve this problem often involve elaborate garbage bag designs,
which may include such structures as elastic upper margins, draw
strings, etc. The design of garbage cans, however, have remained
largely unchanged.
[0004] Another problem with prior garbage cans is that they can
hold only one garbage bag effectively. Considering the frictional
engagement of the bag and the top edge of the container is often
insufficient to maintain the position of a single garbage bag, as
described above, the ability of prior garbage cans to hold two
garbage bags side by side within the container is negligible at
best, as the portion of each bag adjacent to the other bag would
not be in contact with the top edge, thus, reducing an already
ineffectual frictional engagement.
[0005] Even assuming, arguendo, that the positions of two adjacent
garbage bags could be temporarily maintained, for example, by not
disturbing them with the disposal of garbage, there would likely be
a gap between the bags, due to the amorphous nature of the material
of the bags, thus allowing garbage to fall to the bottom of the
container between the bags. Certainly, this would also leave the
user with the unpleasant and unhygienic task of retrieving garbage
from the bottom of a dirty garbage can. Moreover, each bag would
invariably be dragged to the bottom of the container when the user
attempts to dispose of items into the garbage can which, as stated
above, is unhygienic. Accordingly, prior garbage cans are not
effective for users wishing to separate different types of garbage
into two bags within one can, as may be the case, for example, when
required to separate different types of recyclable garbage.
[0006] Thus, there is a longfelt need for garbage can having the
means to effectively and hygienically hold at least two garbage
bags therein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Broadly, the present invention is a garbage can comprising:
a can portion having a bottom wall, a tubular wall extending
upwardly from the bottom wall and including an upper rim, an inner
chamber defined by the bottom wall and the tubular wall, and an
open top; a bar adapted to be removably secured to a first and a
second location on the upper rim, wherein the bar is arranged to
extend over the inner chamber between the first and the second
location on the rim when removably secured thereto; a ring having a
recessed under surface adapted to receive the upper rim therein,
the ring being pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to
pivot onto and off of the upper rim; and, a lid pivotally coupled
to the container and arranged to pivot onto and off of the ring
when the ring is arranged on the upper rim, wherein the ring is
adapted to secure a flexible material between the recessed under
surface and the upper rim.
[0008] In one embodiment, the garbage further comprises a: step
pedal pivotably connected to the bottom wall; and, a lift arm
having a bottom end and a top end, wherein the lift arm is
pivotably connected to the step pedal at the bottom end and
pivotably connected to the lid at the top end, and the step pedal
is arranged to lever the lift arm upwardly when pivoted in a first
direction, and the lift arm is arranged to pivot the lid off of the
ring when levered upwardly by the step pedal.
[0009] A general object of the present invention is to provide a
garbage can which is arranged to effectively and hygienically hold
at least two garbage bags therein.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciable from the following
description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the
accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention
will now be more fully described in the following detailed
description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing
figures of an exemplary embodiment thereof, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention
garbage can, shown holding two garbage bags therein;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the garbage can, shown with
its lid in a closed position;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the garbage can, shown with
the lid in an open position and its retainer ring partially
pivoted;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the garbage can, shown with
the lid and the retainer ring in the open position;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the garbage
can;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side elevational vie of the bar of the garbage
can;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a top, front perspective view of the retainer
ring;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged top, back perspective view of a
bracket of the retainer ring;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line
9-9 in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a bottom, back perspective view of the lid;
[0022] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting
bracket of a can portion of the garbage can;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the garbage can;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a back elevational view of the garbage can;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a right side elevational view of the garbage can,
shown with the lid in the closed position; and,
[0026] FIG. 15 is a right side elevational view of the garbage can,
shown with the lid lifted by a step pedal mechanism of the garbage
can.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing
numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or
functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While
the present invention is described with respect to what is
presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be
understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the
disclosed aspects.
[0028] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not
limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications
described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood
that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of
the present invention, which is limited only by the appended
claims.
[0029] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It
should be appreciated that the terms "front", "back", "left",
"right", "top", and "bottom" when used herein, are relative terms
meant to refer to the viewing perspective shown in the figures.
[0030] Although many methods, devices or materials similar or
equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or
testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and
materials are now described.
[0031] The following description is best understood in view of
FIGS. 1-15, which show an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention garbage can, hereinafter referred to as "garbage can
100". Garbage can 100 generally comprises can portion 110, bar 130,
ring 150, and lid 170. In a preferred embodiment, the present
invention garbage includes a hands-free means for lifting the lid,
such as a step mechanism. For example, garbage can 100 may comprise
a step mechanism which includes step pedal 190 and lift arm 210, as
described in further detail infra.
[0032] Can portion 110 includes horizontally arranged bottom wall
111, tubular wall 112 extending upwardly from bottom wall 111,
inner chamber 105 defined bottom wall 111 and tubular wall 112, and
open top 106. Tubular wall 112 may have a cross-sectional shape
resembling any closed figure, for example, a circle or rectangle.
In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cross-sectional shape
of tubular wall 112 is substantially rectangular, thereby defining
front wall 113, back wall 115, left side wall 114, and right side
wall 117. Tubular wall 112 includes upper rim 116. The term "upper
rim" when used herein refers to the upper margin of the tubular
wall, not simply the top edge of the tubular wall, which is shown
in the figures and referred to herein as "top edge 116a". Inner
chamber is arranged to receive at least one open garbage bag
therein. However, inner chamber 105 is preferably arranged to
receive at least two open garbage bags, such as first garbage bag
50 and second garbage bag 60.
[0033] The present invention garbage can also comprises a bar
adapted to be removably secured to a first and a second location on
the upper rim of the tubular wall, wherein the bar is arranged to
extend over the inner chamber between the first and the second
location on the upper rim when removably secured thereto. The bar
is adapted to divide the open top of the can portion into two
apertures and is preferably adapted to simultaneously secure at
least a portion of two open garbage bags arranged within the open
chamber to the upper rim, in order to help prevent the two garbage
bags from falling to the bottom of the can portion.
[0034] For example, as shown in the figures, garbage can 100
comprises bar 130. Bar 130 includes a first end, which comprises
first hook 132 arranged above first tab 133, and a second end,
which comprises second hook 134 arranged above second tab 135. Bar
130 may be removably secured to a first and a second location on
tubular wall 112, such that it extends across open top 106 over
inner chamber 105, by simply clasping first hook 132 to a first
location on upper rim 116, and clasping second hook 134 to a second
location on upper rim 116.
[0035] However, in the embodiment shown in the figures, tubular
wall 112 includes first slot 113b in upper rim 116 of front wall
113, and second slot 115b in upper rim 116 of back wall 115. First
slot 113b is arranged to slidingly receive first tab 133, and
second slot 115b is arranged to slidingly receive second tab 135.
Bar 130 may be removably secured to upper rim 116 at first location
by clasping first hook 132 to upper rim 116 above first slot 113b,
such that first tab 132 is inserted within first slot 113b, and
clasping second hook 134 to upper rim 116 above second slot 115b,
such that second tab 134 is inserted within second slot 115b. The
arrangement of first and second tabs, 133 and 135, within first and
second slots, 113b and 115b, respectively, helps keep bar 130
stationary on upper rim 116 by preventing it from sliding on top
edge 116a.
[0036] Bar 130 also includes left side wall 130a and right side
wall 130b. Left and right side walls, 130a and 130b, extend along
the length of bar 130, are substantially parallel to each other,
and substantially vertically disposed. Left and right side walls,
130a and 130b, are arranged to trap a portion of each of two
garbage bags arranged within inner chamber 105.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, first bag 50, having interior 55,
and second bag 60, having interior 65, are each arranged within
inner chamber 105 such that one portion of the upper margin of each
bag hangs over top edge 116a, and the remaining portion of the
upper margin of each bag extends between front wall 113 and back
wall 115. In this figure, bar 130 is shown trapping a portion of
the upper margin of each of first and second garbage bags, 50 and
60, between left and right side walls, 130a and 130b, and securing
a portion of each of said bags to upper rim 116 by trapping such
portions underneath first and second hooks, 132 and 134.
Additionally, bar 130 preferably includes a longitudinally beveled
top surface, as illustrated with the broken line shown extending
along the length of the top of bar 130 between first and second
hooks, 132 and 134. Such beveling provides two pitched surfaces
along the top of bar 130, one which extends downwardly toward first
bag 50 and one which extends downwardly toward second bag 60, each
of which helps guide items into the bag toward which it
extends.
[0038] The present invention garbage can also comprises a retainer
ring pivotably coupled to the can portion and arranged to pivot
onto and off of the upper rim of the tubular wall. The retainer
ring includes a recessed under surface adapted to receive the upper
rim therein. Thus, when garbage bags are arranged within the inner
chamber such that their upper margins hang over the top edge of the
tubular wall, the retainer ring is arranged to secure such upper
margins of the bags to the upper rim by trapping them between the
recessed under surface and the top edge.
[0039] For example, garbage can 100 comprises ring 150 which
comprises recessed under surface 151. Ring 150 is pivotably coupled
to tubular wall 116 and arranged to pivot onto and off of upper rim
116, as illustrated with the arrows shown in FIG. 3. In the
embodiment shown in the figures, the portion of bar 130 between
first hook 132 and second hook 134 is arranged elevationally lower
than top edge 116a when bar 130 is removably secured to upper rim
116. This arrangement allows ring 150 to fit over upper rim 116
without obstruction, i.e., first and second hooks, 132 and 134, are
also receivable within recessed under surface 151. Thus, as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 7, ring 150 is adapted to secure first and second
garbage bags, 50 and 60, to upper rim 116 by trapping their upper
margins between recessed under surface 151 and top edge 116a,
thereby preventing them from falling to the bottom of can portion
110.
[0040] The present invention retainer ring may be pivotably coupled
to the can portion by any means known in the art. For example, as
shown in the figures, can portion 110 include mounting bracket 120
arranged on upper rim 116 of back wall 115. As shown in FIG. 11,
mounting bracket 120 includes first and second pivot pins, 122 and
124, respectively. Ring 150 includes bracket 152 having first and
second apertures, 152a and 152b, respectively. First and second
apertures, 152a and 152b, are arranged to receive first and second
pivot pins, 122 and 124, therein, and when received therein, ring
150 is arranged to pivot on first and second pivot pins, 122 and
124, i.e., ring 150 is pivotably coupled to can portion 110.
[0041] Thus, the positions of two adjacent garbage bags, such as
first bag 50 and second bag 60, can be effectively held in garbage
can 100, as left and right side walls, 130a and 130b, enclose the
upper margins of each bag which are not in contact with upper rim
116, thereby covering any gap that may form therebetween, first and
second hooks, 132 and 134, cover and secure a portion of the upper
margins of the bags to upper rim 116, and ring 150 covers and
secures all the upper margins of the bags draped over upper rim
116, including those portions which are underneath first and second
hooks, 132 and 134.
[0042] The present invention garbage can also comprises a lid
pivotably coupled to the can portion, and arranged to pivot onto
and off of the retainer ring, when the retainer ring is arranged on
the upper rim of the can portion. For example, garbage can 100
comprises lid 170, which is pivotably coupled to can portion 110
and arranged to pivot onto and off of ring 150, when ring 150 is
arranged on upper rim 116. Lid 170 includes a concave bottom
surface 171, first and second apertures, 172a and 172b,
respectively, and first and second pivot pins, 173a and 173b,
respectively. First and second apertures, 172a and 172b, are
arranged to receive first and second pivots pins, 122 and 124,
therein, and when received therein, lid 170 is arranged to pivot on
first and second pivot pins, 122 and 124, i.e., lid 170 is
pivotably coupled to can portion 110.
[0043] As stated above, the present invention garbage can
preferably includes a hands-free means for lifting the lid, such as
a step mechanism, as such mechanisms are both convenient when a
user's hands are full and hygienic in that a user need not touch
the lid. For example, garbage can 100 comprises a step mechanism
which includes step pedal 190 and lift arm 210. In order to
unobtrusively connect step pedal 190 and lift arm 210 to can
portion 110, bottom wall 111 is arranged substantially horizontally
and preferably includes recessed undersurface 111a, which is
arranged to receive step pedal 190. Additionally, back wall 115
preferably includes vertically arranged recessed outer surface
115a, which is arranged to slidingly receive lift arm 210.
Moreover, front wall 113 includes recess 113a, which provides the
space above step pedal 190 necessary to apply a mechanical force
downwardly thereon.
[0044] Step pedal 190 includes pedal portion 191 and a U-shaped
member extending therefrom. The U-shaped member includes left arm
192, right arm 194, and cylindrical bar 196. Left arm 192 includes
left aperture 192a, and right arm 194 includes right aperture 194a.
In this embodiment, bottom wall 111 includes left pivot pin 111c
and right pivot pin 111b. Left aperture 192a and right aperture
194a are arranged to receive left pivot pin 111c and right pivot
pin 111b, respectively, therein, and when received therein, step
pedal 190 is arranged to pivot relative to can portion 110, such
that when pedal portion 191 is forced downwardly, cylindrical bar
196 is forced upwardly.
[0045] Lift arm 210 includes a bottom end comprising cylindrical
recess 211 and top end 212 comprising left and right apertures,
212a and 212b, respectively. Cylindrical recess 211 is arranged to
pivotably receive cylindrical bar 196 of step pedal 190 therein.
Left and right apertures, 212a and 212b are arranged to pivotably
receive first and second pivot pins, 173a and 173b, respectively,
of lid 170.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when a force is applied
downwardly to pedal portion 191, as illustrated with the arrow
pointing thereto, cylindrical bar 196 is forced upwardly, which
pushes lift arm 210 upwardly, as illustrated with the arrow
adjacent to lift arm 210. When lift arm 210 is moves upwardly, it
pushes lid 170, which simultaneously pivots in left and right
apertures, 212a and 212b, and on first and second pivot pins, 122
and 124, of bracket 120. Thus, when step pedal 190 is pivotably
coupled to can portion 110 and lift arm 210, and lift arm is
pivotably coupled to lid 170, as described supra, lid 170 may be
pivoted off of ring 150 by applying a downwardly directed force to
pedal portion 191, for example, stepping on pedal portion 191. In
other words, step pedal 190 is arranged to lever lift arm 210
upwardly when a downwardly directed force is applied to pedal
portion 191. Preferably, mounting bracket 120 includes cross-bar
125 which is arranged to help guide lift arm 210 as it raises and
lowers within recessed outer surface 115a.
[0047] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention
are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the
invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill
in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the
spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood
that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present
invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore,
other embodiments of the present invention are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *