Patent Application
20150075393
The present invention relates generally to waste containers, and in particular, to a trash can assembly convenient for compacting trash.
Trash containers are well-known devices used to dispose of various kinds of waste. There is a need to reduce the size of waste in a trash container (e.g., to compact or compress the waste) before the waste is disposed. Compacting allows more waste to be disposed of before the trash container is emptied to reduce the number of trash bags used.
Examples of devices for compacting trash include electrical devices based on motors or even us hydraulic systems. Other devices typically preferred for home or office use may have levers, baffles, numerous moving parts, or cumbersome components.
Even though existing devices may be effective, users continually seek easier, simpler and more cost effective ways to compact trash in a container for disposal.
A trash can provides a lid with a compressing structure manually operable via a handle bar adjustably attached to the lid. The compressing structure can allow the volume of contents stored within the trash can to be compressed for more efficient use of garbage bags. The handle bar may be attached to the lid in a storage position when not in use. Alternatively or optionally, the handle bar may be attached to the lid in an operating position to push the compressing structure or to pull opening the lid. The handle bar by be operable between the operating and storage position via simple manual push, pull and/or rotate actions.
Other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.
The present invention is illustrated by way of examples and not limitations in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of external surfaces, named components, connections between components, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known components or methods have not been described in detail but rather in a block diagram in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Further specific numeric references such as first, second, third, etc., may be made. However, the specific numeric references should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted as references to different objects. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.
Assembly 100A may include lid 103 hingedly coupled with container body 107, for example, via lid base 105. Lid 103 may be positioned close to the open end of container body 107. In one embodiment, lid base 105 may be attached to lid 103 via hinge mechanism 111 or other applicable mechanism to allow lid 103 to move opening or closing the open end of container body 107. Alternatively, lid 103 may be directly coupled with container body 107 without a separate lid base.
Lid 103 may include a handle bar or handle structure 101 movably attached with lid 103 to provide a versatile or multi-functional handle for a user to operate assembly 100. Handle structure 101 may be shaped as a bar, a rod, or other applicable longitudinal shape. In one embodiment, handle structure 101 may include pull out opening 109 to allow a user to operate assembly 100 by pushing/pulling handle structure 101.
According to certain embodiments, lid 103 may be configured with multiple receiving structures to accommodate handle structure 101. For example, handle structure 101 may be stored within lid 103 with a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to a surface plane of lid 103. During operation, handle structure 101 may be repositioned with its longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the surface plane of lid 103 to be either pulled to open lid 103 or pushed to compact inner chamber of container body 107.
Turning now to
In one embodiment, a receiving structure may include central opening 211 sized to allow handle structure 101 to move in and out longitudinally for trash can operation. For example, central opening 211 may be sized to match a cross section dimension of handle structure 101 to allow one longitudinal end of handle structure 101 to move transversely across lid 103 via central opening 211. In some embodiments, recess 223 may include sliding tracks 205 to allow handle structure 101 to slide into or out of recess 223.
Assembly 200 may include compacting plate 213 coupled with handle structure 101 through central opening 211 of lid 103. Handle structure 101 may be operable to pull compacting plate 213 via central opening 211 to push open lid 103. Alternatively, handle structure 101 may be operable to push compacting plate 213 to compact the chamber of container body 107 via central opening 211.
In one embodiment, handle structure 101 may be configured with stop structure 203 towards one longitudinal end. Recess 223 (e.g. a receiving structure) may be shaped with a corresponding stop wall 209 matching stop structure 203. For example, handle structure 101 may be stopped when sliding into recess 223 via stop structure 203 to a secure position within lid 103.
In certain embodiments, compacting plate 213 and handle structure 101 may be coupled via one or more sliding pins 215 affixed over a back side of compacting plate 213. Handle structure 101 may include one or more longitudinal guide slots 201 to movably house sliding pins 215. Each sliding pin 215 may be movably constrained within one of the guide slots 210.
Compacting plate 213 may include one or more pull arms 217, e.g. substantially vertically standing, on its back side. Each sliding pin 215 may be affixed towards the tip of one of pull arms 217. For example, two sliding pins 215 may be positioned in between a pair of pull arms 217. In one embodiment, pull arms 217 may be sized to be insertable through central opening 211 to engage sliding pins 215 within guide slots 201 of handle structure 101. Guide slot 201 may be defined along handle structure 101 to extend between one longitudinal end (e.g. opposite to pull out opening 109) of handle structure 101 and a central portion (e.g. towards pull out opening 109). Compacting plate 219 may be vertically supported under lid 103 by hanging from handle structure 101 via sliding pins 215.
In one embodiment, handle structure 101 may be rotable to be received by lid 103 via recess 223 or central opening 211 when sliding pins 215 are engaged within guide slots 201 towards one end of handle structure 101. For example, handle structure 101 may be positioned with one end close to central opening 211 along recess 223 to allow rotating around an axis formed via sliding pins 215. As a result, handle structure 101 may be repositioned to be vertically or horizontally engaged with lid 103 (e.g. over a surface plane of lid 103).
When handle structure 101 is attached to lid 103 via central opening 211, pulling force exerted on handle structure 101 (e.g. via pull out opening 109) with sliding pins 215 engaged at the longitudinal end of guide slots 201 may cause compacting plate 213 to push open lid 103. Compacting plate 213 may include push protrusion 219 defined over its back side to receive a longitudinal end with front opening 225 of handle structure 101.
Pushing force exerted on handle structure 101 inserted through central opening 211 may cause compacting plate 213 to compress the chamber of container body 107 via push protrusion 219 engaged with front opening 225 of handle structure 101. Compacting plate 213 may be sized substantially conforming to the inner dimension of container body 107 to prohibit lid 103 from being opened when push protrude 219 is engaged with front opening 225 of handle structure 101.
In another embodiment, lid base 105 may have an opening at open end 229. Lid 103 may be hingedly coupled with lid base 105 adjacent to open end 229. Lid 103 can have horizontal receiving structure 223 and central opening 221 transversely defined across horizontal receiving structure 223. Handle bar 101 may be movably attached to lid 103 via horizontal receiving structure 223 or central opening 221. Compacting plate 213 may be coupled with handle bar 101 through central opening 211 of lid 103.
Handle bar 101 may be operable to pull open lid 103 or to push compacting plate 213 towards an opposite direction of open end 229 (e.g. downward). Handle bar 101 may be fittingly stored within horizontal receiving structure 223 of lid 103. Container body 107 may define a chamber. Lid base 103 may be attached on top of container body 107 with the chamber open towards open end 229 of lid base 103. The chamber of container body 107 may be compacted or compressed when compacting plate 213 is pushed via handle bar 101 through central opening 211.
In
In one embodiment, lid 103 may be prohibited from being opened without handle structure 101 attached via specific positions to lid 103. For example, handle structure 101 may be attached to lid 103 to pull close compacting plate 213 with lid 103, such as in configuration 401, to allow lid 103 to be opened. Compacting plate 213 pushed down into the chamber of container 107 may prevent lid 103 from being opened. Configuration 405 shows lid 103, lid base 105 and container body 107 disassembled from each other.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
