Patent Application
20080006638
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
A lid 30 is pivotably connected to the upper portion of the shell 22 using any known hinged connection. The lid 30 can be made of a solid and stable material, such as a metal or plastic.
A foot pedal 32 is pivotably connected to a part of the front wall 34 of the shell 22 near the base 36 of the shell 22. A link assembly extends from the foot pedal 32 along the base 36 and then upwardly along the shell 22 to the lid 30. The link assembly operates to translate an up-down pivot motion of the pedal 32 to an up-down pivot motion for the lid 30. The link assembly can be embodied in the form of any of the known link assemblies that are used in conventional trash cans.
A rigid liner 40 is adapted to be fitted inside the hollow interior of the shell 22. The liner 40 is typically used to hold trash, and can be removed from the shell 22 to dispose of the trash. The liner 40 is typically made of rigid plastic so that it can be washed or cleaned. The liner 40 is usually provided in the same general configuration as the shell 22, so the liner 40 in the present embodiment has two parallel side walls 42 and 44, and two parallel end walls 46 and 48. The top edges of each of the walls 42, 44, 46, 48 define an opened mouth 50. A flange 51 can be provided about the walls 42, 44, 46, 48 adjacent the top edges of the walls 42, 44, 46, 48. The side walls 42 and 44 can be generally vertical, while each end wall 46 and 48 can have an upper portion 52 and 54, respectively, that transitions to a lower portion 56 and 58, respectively, via an inwardly angled portion 57 and 59, respectively. The upper portions 52 and 54 are generally vertical and parallel to each other, and the lower portions 56 and 58 are generally vertical and parallel to each other. The distance between the upper portions 52 and 54 is greater than the distance between the lower portions 56 and 58. Catch plates 60 and 62 extend vertically downwardly from the upper portions 52 and 54, respectively, to define receiving areas 80 and 82, respectively. The receiving area 80 is defined by the catch plate 60 and the portions 56 and 57, and the receiving area 82 is defined by the catch plate 62 and the portions 58 and 59.
The trash bag 70 can be quickly and conveniently removed in a hygienic manner. The user merely opens the lid 30, grips the catch plates 60, 62 to lift up and remove the liner 40 from the shell 22, and then grips the handles 72, 74 to lift the trash bag 70 and its contents out of the liner 40. After the trash bag 70 has been disposed of, a new trash bag 70 can be inserted into the interior of the liner 40 and the same process as described above in connection with
If the trash bag 70 is a conventional trash bag that does not have any handles, the top edge of the trash bag can be folded outwardly and tucked under the catch plates 60, 62 into the receiving areas 80, 82, so that the catch plates 60, 62 grip the top edge of the trash bag and the mouth of the trash bag is maintained opened.
Thus, the trash can assembly 20 is effective in keeping the mouth of a trash bag opened at the mouth 26 of the shell 22. In this regard, the catch plates 60, 62 grip the handles 72, 74 and maintain them in a spread-open position. In addition, the catch plates 60, 62 function as a gripping handle for the user, thereby allowing for the safe and clean use of the trash can assembly 20.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
