1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides a waste collection system wherein a covered waste container is stored in a movable draw-like member positioned within a kitchen sink cabinet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,702, invented by the inventor of the invention disclosed herein, discloses a kitchen trash container system wherein a trash container is covered when it is within a kitchen sink cabinet enclosure and wherein the cover automatically opens when the trash container is caused to move outwardly from the cabinet. A latch type member is positioned at the lower portion of the housing, activation of the latch member by a user causing the trash container to move outwardly from the cabinet along a rail member, the cover portion opening during movement of the trash container. When the trash container reaches its outward extent, the cover is in the full open position and enables trash to be deposited in the container. Thereafter, the user pushes the trash container back into position within the cabinet, the cover automatically closing on top of the trash container.
Although the invention disclosed in the '702 patent operates satisfactorily, the system requires numerous components which increases the overall cost and complexity of the waste container.
What is therefore desired is to provide a waste container system that is less expensive and wherein the reliability is increased when compared to prior art waste container systems.
The present invention provides an improved kitchen trash container system wherein a trash container drawer is moved without and within a cabinet enclosure, such as a kitchen sink, using a compression spring in combination with an elongated member which connects the drawer to a member within the enclosure.
The trash container drawer moves along on a pair of rails having first and second ends mounted within the cabinet and is initially positioned therein. A vertically extending cylindrically shaped member positioned within the cabinet adjacent the front of the cabinet has an elongated member coupled to a pulley at the top of the member, one end of the member being connected to the front portion of the trash container drawer, the other end connected to a support member mounted within the rear portion of the cabinet, the first end of said rails being supported on the top surface of the support member. A spring member is mounted on the side of the bar member and extends toward the first end of the rail members. A latch member positioned at the lower front end of the cabinet maintains the trash container drawer within the cabinet until the latch member is released by a user, the spring member pushing the trash container drawer away from the interior of the cabinet such that the trash container is visible to the user. Pushing the trash container drawer towards the bar member causes the latch member to reengage the trash container drawer whereby the trash container is once again within the interior of the cabinet. The elongated member provides the tension necessary so that the trash container drawer is maintained in the proper position as it moves along the rails. In addition, the spring member in combination with the elongated member, provides the force that moves the drawer outwardly from the cabinet interior. The trash container drawer, in another embodiment, has a shelf formed at the end adjacent the cabinet cover and allows various items to be supported on the shelf.
The trash container of the present invention thus provides a reliable, cost effective method of storing and removing trash from a cabinet.
For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein:
Referring to
The other end of cord 20 is connected to horizontal bar member 34. A pair of guide rail members 36 and 38 cooperate with two slides 40 (only one slide is illustrated), slide 40 engaging guide rail members 36 and 38 to allow drawer 12 to move in and out of the interior portion of cabinet 10 in a conventional manner. Spring member 42 is secured to the inner surface 44 of horizontal bar member 34 to enable drawer 12 to exit the interior of cabinet 10 when a user engages pedal 50 as will be described hereinafter with reference to
In operation, and assuming the trash drawer 12 is in the fully closed position as shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.