Patent Application
20090166241
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to containers fabricated using recycled material. The container may be used, for example, as a wastebasket, garbage can, tub, flower pot, or other type of receptacle. More particularly, this invention relates to a container made from recycled paper.
2. Description of Related Art
For decades, containers have been made out of plastic. Plastic is useful for making containers, such as wastebasket, tub, box, etc. Particularly, wastebaskets are usually made with plastic, which conveniently holds both dry and wet garbage. Although other materials such as metal or wood could be used, they are susceptible to rust or rot and other effects of weather or garbage. Also, such material could be heavy and costly to manufacture. On the other hand, plastic is durable, lightweight, easy to fabricate into different designs, and economical to manufacture. However, despite many desirable characteristics, plastic has harmful drawbacks. Plastics, such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (often called PVC), or nylon, are synthetic chemical substances that do not degrade easily. When they do degrade, they potentially generate and release harmful substances into the environment. Thus, in recent years proper disposal of plastic has become a foremost concern.
In one aspect of the invention a container includes a body portion in the shape of a frustum of a cone or pyramid, having a top end and a bottom end. A bottom portion is formed on the body portion and closes the bottom end. The top end is open. The body portion and the bottom portion are made of recycled material. In another aspect of the invention a method of making a container comprises forming a body portion in the shape of a frustum of a cone or pyramid, having a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end is closed by forming a bottom portion to the body portion at the bottom end. In one or more aspects this invention has certain advantages, including water resistance, maintenance of structure upon impact, and functionality in indoor and outdoor environments.
Container 100 is made from recycled material and may be in the shape of an upside-down frustum of a cone, pyramidical or tubular shape. Container 100 has an open end 110 at a top end, and is closed at a bottom end 120. Bottom end 120 is closed by means of a bottom portion 140. A body portion 150 can form an angle with a bottom portion 140 at the closed end 120, forming a container that can receive and store garbage or other material. In an implementation, bottom portion 140 may have openings therein to enable passage of fluid through the bottom portion 140. Container 100 can be made to resist water or moisture, or made with an additive to improve structural integrity. Open end 110 can have a rolled lip 130 instead of a sharp edge. Rolled lip 130 may be used to pick up the container or to avoid injury to personnel.
Recycled material can be post-consumer waste paper. Recycling conserves limited landfill space, and using recycled material in lieu of plastic achieves the dual benefit of limiting plastic waste generation and recycling. A container according to this disclosure may be as durable, functional, and economical as plastic or other type of container, and is also environmentally friendly.
Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
