Patent Application
20230019028
The present invention relates generally to the field of trash cans and containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lid securement system for tightly securing the lid of a receptacle (i.e. trash can or container) thereby allowing receptacles to be stored outdoors without worry of animals or inclement weather removing or blowing debris from the trash bags. The securement system can be used with other types of storage boxes that are covered by a lid, such as ice chests, storage boxes and more. The securement system includes an arcuate hook-like piece on the body of the trash can and an expandable or stretchable T-shaped portion or rubber piece attached to the lid. The rubber piece can be pulled down and secured on an underside of the hook piece, thereby allowing the lid to be secured tightly. The securement system can be integrated to the receptacle during manufacturing, or can be attached as an aftermarket product. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, trash cans, receptacles and other devices having lids or doors are used for storing items such as garbage, recyclables, dirty laundry, pet food, etc. In particular, outdoor trash cans are used for household and other types of trash and debris. Generally, the lids and doors provide the functionality of preventing the escape of the contents from the receptacle; and to a limited degree, ingress from insects, pests and nuisance animals. However, these lids and doors are loose without an easy fastening or locking mechanism. This causes great difficulty in keeping these lids closed in inclement weather. Lids can be easily blown open by strong winds, thereby allowing escape of trash and debris from the receptacle, and creating litter within the environment.
Further, animals both domesticated and wild can easily remove or open the lids of such receptacles, work their way into the receptacles and tear through the trash bags and other debris stored therein. This leads to an unsanitary hazard for the animals and also leads to a mess, requiring clean-up.
The leakage and escape of the trash and debris, due to loose or removed lids, does not only cause unsanitary hazards but also causes problems for the garbage and recycling industry. Personnel may end up spending more time in collecting and gathering the trash, recyclables and non-recyclable contents that may have been disturbed by pests or wind due to the inadequate securement of lids to the base of the receptacle.
Although conventional locking mechanisms for such trash cans are functionally useful, they are not secure and effective. Further, heretofore known locking mechanisms are hard to use and are cost-prohibitive. A single locking mechanism may not be applicable to all types of trash cans and other similar receptacles.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that can be used with any type of trash receptacle. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that eliminates the blowing open of receptacle lids due to inclement weather. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that prevents removal of the lids of trash receptacles by animals and pests. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that can be used for other types of receptacles and not only for trash receptacles. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that can be readily used by the garbage and recycling industry for outdoor trash receptacles. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that maintains a secure and hygienic environment. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that requires the manual interaction of a user to open a lid of a receptacle and thus prohibits removal or opening of the lid due to animals, pests or inclement weather.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a trash can lid securement system that is designed to secure the lid of a trash can or container. More specifically, the trash can lid securement system comprises a hook-like piece designed to be attached on the body or base of the trash can or receptacle, and a T-shaped rubber or elastic piece attached to the lid via an extendable band. The hook-like piece can be permanently or detachably-attached to the trash receptacle base, and the T-shaped rubber piece can be secured to the underside of the hook-like piece for tightly securing the lid on top of or over the receptacle.
In this manner, the multipurpose lid securement system of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides users with a securement system for trash receptacle lids, and other types of storage container lids, capable of preventing overflow and contents stored therein from blowing away and from pest ingress. In particular, the system allows trash receptacles to be stored outdoors without worry of animals or inclement weather from opening the container lid and tossing debris from the trash bags. The present invention enables the lid to remain closed and requires manual release of the T-shaped rubber piece to release the lid for accessing the contents stored in the receptacle.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a trash can lid securement system. The trash can lid securement system is designed to secure the lid of the trash can receptacle. More specifically, the trash can lid securement system comprises a hook-like piece designed to be attached on the body or base of the trash can or receptacle and a T-shaped rubber piece attached to the lid via an extendable band. The hook-like piece can be permanently or detachably-attached to the trash receptacle and the T-shaped rubber piece can be secured to the underside of the hook-like piece for tightly securing the lid on the top of the receptacle.
In yet another embodiment, the T-shaped rubber piece and the extendable band are molded as a single unit, and a portion of the band can be attached to an inner surface of the lid prohibiting the lid from being removed/displaced until the T-shaped rubber piece is released from the underside of the hook-like piece.
In yet another embodiment, the T-shaped rubber piece can be pulled and extended to a position below the hook-like piece and secured with the T-shaped rubber piece on the underside of the hook-like piece.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a securement system for a lid of a receptacle is disclosed. The system includes an arcuate hook-like piece, designed to be attached on the body of the receptacle and a T-shaped rubber piece attached to the lid of the receptacle via an extendable band. The extendable band can be attached to the lid and the T-shaped rubber piece can be secured on the underside of the hook that locks the lid into a secured position on the top of the receptacle, and prevents the lid from being removed until the T-shaped rubber piece is manually released from underside of the hook.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a trash can with an integrated pull-based lid securement system is disclosed. The trash can includes: a trash receptacle having a cavity to store trash and debris therein; a lid designed to be positioned on top of the receptacle which can be removed to access the cavity and stored trash and debris therein; a small hook attached to the receptacle wherein the hook can be of an arcuate shape; a T-shaped piece or portion attached to an extendable band wherein the band is attached to the lid; and the T-shaped piece or portion can be designed to secure on the underside of the hook, thereby enabling the lid to secure tightly on the top of the receptacle to eliminate overflow and keep all trash contained inside the receptacle. The T-shaped piece or portion can be manually released from the underside of the hook, which enables the lid to be opened from the top of the receptacle.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing the lid tightly on the top of a receptacle is described. The method includes the steps of placing the lid on the top of the receptacle, pulling the T-shaped piece down and securing it on an underside of the hook, wherein the hook is positioned on the receptacle, and when the T-shaped piece or portion is secured on the underside of the hook, the lid is secured tightly as the T-shaped piece stretches the extendable band whose portion is fastened to the lid. For releasing the lid, the T-shaped piece is released from the underside of the hook by pulling the T-shaped piece downward and outward to release and disengage from the hook.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the securement system for trash receptacle lids prevents overflow and trash from blowing away, and allows trash receptacles to be stored outdoors without worry of animals or inclement weather opening the receptacle lid, whereby the lid is kept closed until manual interaction for releasing the band from the hook is actuated by a user.
In yet another embodiment, the securement system can be used for any type of receptacle that includes a lid wherein the lid needs to be secured tightly to protect the contents stored therein. Further, the securement system can come in different sizes and configurations to attach to various types of receptacles and can be integrated or attached as per the desires of the users.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that can be used with any type of trash receptacle. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that eliminates blowing open of receptacle lids due to inclement weather. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that prevents removal of the lids of trash receptacles by animals and pests. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that can be used for other types of receptacles. and not only for trash receptacles. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that can be readily used by the garbage and recycling industry for outdoor trash receptacles. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that maintains a secure and hygienic environment. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved locking system that requires manual interaction, i.e. single-handed manual interaction, of a user to open a lid of a receptacle and thus prohibits removal or opening of the lid due to animals, pests or inclement weather.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a novel securement system for a lid of a receptacle/trash can. The securement system includes an arcuate hook-like piece or portion designed to be attached on the body or base of the receptacle, and a T-shaped rubber piece attached to the lid of the receptacle via an extendable band. The extendable band can be attached to the lid, and the T-shaped rubber piece can be secured on the underside of the hook that locks the lid into a secured position on the top of the receptacle and prevents the lid from being removed until the T-shaped rubber piece is manually released from the underside of the hook.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The hook-like piece 102 can be a material selected from heavy-duty plastics, metal and any other sturdy and durable material, and can be of any color. The T-shaped rubber piece 108 can be flexible and can be a material selected from a rubber, a silicone or a plastic. The elastic band 118 can be a material selected from a natural or synthetic rubber.
The portion 206 can be secured to the front surface 2040 by permanently or detachably fastening the band 118. An adhesive can be used to secure the portion 206 to the front surface 2040 of the lid 204. Alternatively, mechanical fasteners such as screws can be used to fasten the portion 206 to the front surface 2040 of the lid 204. During use, the hook-like piece 102 acts like a staple and the T-shaped rubber piece 108 acts like a hasp.
It should be noted that the securement system/trash can lid securement system 100 of the present invention can be integrated to the trash can or other container devices during manufacturing or can be detachably-attached as an aftermarket product. The arcuate hook device is positioned near the opening of the receptable so that even a small length of the extendable arm can help in keeping the lid securely closed. The extendable band can be attached to either the exterior or interior surface of the lid of the receptable, thereby allowing the T-shaped rubber piece to pull the lid by pulling the extendable band downward. When the T-shaped rubber piece is secured to the hook-like piece, the extendable band secures the lid to close and secure the opening of the receptable, and does not allow the lid to open until the T-shaped rubber piece is manually disengaged from under the hook-like piece. This prevents the wind, inclement weather, and/or animals from opening or removing the lid for tossing debris from the trash container. Further, the secured closed lid eliminates overflow and keeps all trash contained inside the receptacle.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “multipurpose lid securement system”, “securement system”, “pull-based lid securement system”, “trash can lid securement system”, and “system”, are interchangeable and refer to the multipurpose lid securement system 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the multipurpose lid securement system 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the multipurpose lid securement system 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the multipurpose lid securement system 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the multipurpose lid securement system 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the multipurpose lid securement system 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/223,216, which was filed on Jul. 19, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63223216 | Jul 2021 | US |
