Patent Application
20200148466
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
This disclosure relates to trash cans and, more specifically, to trash cans having lid actuating mechanisms.
The design of trash cans and, in particular, trash cans with actuating assemblies that can raise and lower the lid provides several challenges that have not been optimally addressed with present designs.
For example, one of the challenges that exists with respect to trash cans with lid actuating elements is stability and strength. Often the actuating designs are constructed in such a way that the lid actuating elements either detract or do not enhance the stability of the overall trash can. Moreover, such lid actuating elements typically employ the use of movable elements and the existence of an unstable actuator can result in a trash can having an appearance suggesting the can was poorly manufactured or inadequately designed. Moreover, relative movement of the various elements in such an actuator with respect to one another can give rise to unwanted noise.
As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,283 discloses a trash can assembly in which a lid actuator utilizes a single, upwardly extending rod. The use of a single rod provides little structural support for the trash can and, moreover, provides essentially no support against a relative twisting movement of the can. A further limitation of lid actuators utilizing only a single rod element is that they either place uneven stresses on actuating elements, such as a foot pedal, or they are connected to a single point on such an actuator, such that all stresses are concentrated on one area of the pedal. Such concentrated stresses can result in damage or breakage of the pedal.
In an apparent effort to overcome the localization of the stresses created when a single rod is used, lid actuator assemblies have been developed that utilize two rods. As one example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,024 discloses a trash can with a lid actuating element including two non-connected upwardly extending rods, each extending upwardly at an angle and each upwardly extending at an angle with respect to each other. This arrangement allows the rod members to easily move relative to each other, thus giving rise to the perception and noise issues described above. Moreover, because the rod members can move independently, they provide essentially no support against twisting movement of the can. Furthermore, the angle at which the rods extend upwardly prevents the rods from providing any meaningful structural support. Similar issues exist, for example, with respect to the trash can design reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,060.
A further issues with the conventional dual rod actuator assemblies is that they often require complicated hinging mechanisms and/or hinging mechanisms that are relatively large when compared to the overall size of the trash can. Such relatively large hinging mechanisms can increase the overall material cost of a trash can and can provide more points of potential failure and can give rise to both aesthetic and size issues. For example, Published United States Patent Application US 2010/0224627 discloses a trash can with a dual rod lid actuator assembly that requires a relatively complex hinging arrangement.
Another challenge facing trash can designers and, in particular, designers of trash cans with lid actuators is obtaining desired performance from the trash can. In particular, some users want the can lid to open quickly and close slowly. Others want the can lid to open slowly and close quickly and still others want the lid to open and close slowly. Yet others may want to attach odor control devices on the lid and need to accommodate the increased load when opening and closing the trash can lid. In order to address these issues it is known to use dampening members in connection with lid actuator assemblies. Such dampening members are typically secured and stabilized with respect to the other components of the trash can such that, once they are installed, they cannot be easily replaced or adjusted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,024 discloses a trash can with a dampening member that is stabilized with respect to a lower portion of the trash can such that, once the trash can is assembled, it cannot be removed or adjusted. The same problem exists with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 7,494,021.
Yet another problem facing trash can designers is the need for the user to properly position and self-center any liner member contained within a shell. Many trash can designs require the use of a liner and the positioning of a liner within an outer shell. Such arrangements often require the user to manipulate the liner so as to avoid having the liner “catch” or rest on intermediate structures within the trash can in such a manner that the lid cannot close. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,283 discloses a trash can having a block upon which the liner may catch preventing closure of the trash can.
A further problem of the use of liners placed within shells, is that the liners typically rest on a base structure such that there is no, or very limited, airflow across the base structure. This absence of airflow can create a closed environment in which trash or waste can decay and or fester giving rise to visibly unpleasant odors and/or growth.
Still other problems exist with respect to conventional trash can designs that are overcome by the novel invention disclosed herein.
Described is a system for controlling the operation of a trash can lid that includes a shell for receiving trash, a lid assembly that covers a portion of the shell, and an actuator assembly that independently controls the rate in which the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell. Also provided is a system for improving the operation of a trash can that includes a lid assembly for covering a portion of a shell, an actuator assembly, a base assembly, and a hydraulic component. The hydraulic component controls the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell. The system further includes an adjustable volume of space that is formed between the base assembly and the removable liner when the removable liner is coupled to the base assembly. The adjustable volume of space can be used to store deodorizers, insecticides, or the like.
The disclosure provides a system for controlling the operation of a trash can lid that can include a shell that can be adapted to receive trash, a lid assembly that can be adapted to cover at least a portion of the shell, and an actuator assembly that can independently control the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell. The rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves away from the shell can be different than the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves towards the shell.
The system's actuator assembly can further include a hydraulic component that can be adapted to adjust the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell. The hydraulic component can further be adapted to adjust the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell through a manipulation of the hydraulic component.
The system can further include a weighted element that can be adapted to be coupled to the lid assembly, an elastic device that can be adapted to be coupled to the lid assembly, or both. The weighted element and the elastic device can be adapted to increase the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves towards the shell.
The disclosure also provides a system for improving the operation of a trash can that can include a lid assembly that can be adapted to cover at least a portion of a shell, an actuator assembly, a base assembly, and a hydraulic component. The hydraulic component can be adapted to be coupled to the base assembly and the actuator assembly. The hydraulic component can further be adapted to control the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell.
The system can further include a mount adapted to couple the hydraulic component to the base assembly. The mount can further include a quick-release pin to facilitate the decoupling of the hydraulic component from the base assembly. The actuator assembly can further include at least two actuator rod members that can each be coupled to an actuator brace. The actuator brace can prevent each rod member of the at least two rod members from moving independently with respect to each other.
The system can further include a removable liner that can be adapted to be coupled to a shell. The removable liner can include a section that can be adapted to enhance a user's ability to remove the liner from the shell. The base assembly can further include a pedal and a pedal stop that can be adapted to prohibit the pedal from contacting a surface disposed beneath the base assembly.
The disclosure also provides a system for improving the operation of a trash can that can include a shell that can be adapted to receive trash, a removable liner that can be adapted to be coupled to the shell, and a base assembly that can be adapted to support the shell.
An adjustable volume of space can be formed between the base assembly and the removable liner when the removable liner is coupled to the base assembly. The adjustable volume of space formed between the base assembly and the removable liner can be adapted to receive a liquid absorbing material, a deodorizer, an insecticide, a pest repellant, or a box of trash bags. The system can further include at least one pedestal element adapted to be coupled to the base assembly, the removable liner, or both. The system can further include a shell cavity ring that can be adapted to be coupled to the shell and further adapted to support the weight of the removable liner.
The foregoing and other advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, wherein:
The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicants have invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related, and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims.
Described is a system for controlling the operation of a trash can lid that includes a shell for receiving trash, a lid assembly that covers a portion of the shell, and an actuator assembly that independently controls the rate in which the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell. Also provided is a system for improving the operation of a trash can that includes a lid assembly for covering a portion of a shell, an actuator assembly, a base assembly, and a hydraulic component. The hydraulic component controls the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell. The system further includes an adjustable volume of space that is formed between the base assembly and the removable liner when the removable liner is coupled to the base assembly. The adjustable volume of space can be used to store deodorizers, insecticides, or the like.
Turning to the drawings and, in particular, to
As reflected in the figures, the exemplary trash can 100 include: (i) a base assembly 10; (ii) a shell 30; (iii) a trim ring 40; (iv) a liner 50; (vi) a lid and hinge assembly 60 and (vi) an actuator assembly 70. As shown in
As reflected in
In the example trash can 100 of
The exemplary trash can 100 depicted in
As one example, the formation of the base assembly 10 is such that the trash can 100 provides a beneficial coupling between the base assembly 10 and the shell 30. This feature of the base assembly 10 is reflected generally in
As reflected in
In addition to providing a beneficial coupling with the shell 30, the base assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment provides a beneficial mechanism for coupling the pedal 71 and the base assembly 10. In particular, the opening 11 of the base assembly 10 is shaped and sized to receive the pedal 71. As reflected in
Yet another advantage of the base assembly 10 of exemplary trash can 100 is that, in conjunction with liner 50, it provides both an beneficial air space feature and a self-alignment feature. As best reflected in
As shown in
In addition to enabling the self-aligning feature described above, the special shape of the pedestal elements 19a-19d ensures that, when the liner 50 is positioned on the base assembly 10, a defined air space or void exists underneath the liner 50. This is reflected generally in
In still other exemplary applications, where a can bag will be used with liner 50, the air space 300 can be enlarged by increasing the height of pedestal elements 19 so that air space 300 can be used to store replacement bags, as depicted, for example, in
As still further advantage of the illustrated base assembly 10 is that it forms an interface between the base assembly 10 and the actuator assembly 70 that can include a quick-release mount for hydraulic cartridge 77 (an optional part of the actuator assembly 70), thus enabling efficient construction and enabling rapid adjustment in the operating characteristics of the exemplary can.
Referring first to
Openings 23a and 23b are defined by the base assembly 10 and are sized and shaped to allow the bottom ends of the rod members to pass into the interior space defined by the base assembly 10. Within the interior space, the bottoms of the rod members 79a and 79b engage receiving seats 81a and 81b formed at the end of pedal 71. In the illustrated embodiment the receiving seats 81a and 81b of pedal 71 are substantially U-shaped troughs, sized such that the L-shaped ends of rod members 79a and 79b may be received and held within the troughs without the need for additional retaining hardware and without the need for specialized manufacturing tooling. Moreover, because there are no hardware elements holding the ends of the rod members 79a and 79b within the pedal 71, the rod members 79a and 79b may be easily removed and replaced for repair or cleaning.
In addition to defining openings 23a and 23b, the base assembly 10 also defines a quick-release pivot mount 24, that is generally illustrated in
In addition to including the supporting columns 25a and 25b, the quick-release pivot mount 24 also defines a snap-receiver 26 for receiving one end of the cartridge quick release pin 78 in a “snap-fit” engagement such that the relevant end of the pin 78 may be snapped in and out of the receiver (again without the need for any additional supporting hardware or tools). Through the use of the above-described structure, the quick release pin 78 may be efficiently and quickly positioned in a fixed relationship with the base assembly 10 (when the pin 78 is positioned through the support columns 25a and 25b and one end is snapped into the receiver 26). In the same sense, the quick-release pin 78 may be quickly and easily adjusted and removed from the base assembly 10. The use of the quick-release pivot mount 24 allows for the effective and efficient coupling of one end of hydraulic cartridge 77 to the base assembly 10.
As reflected in
When the hydraulic cartridge 77 is coupled to the base assembly 10 using the quick-release pivot mount 24 as shown in
The ability of the hydraulic cartridge 77 to pivot as the main lid 61 is opened and closed avoids possible jamming of the actuator assembly 70 because the hydraulic cartridge 77 rotates with the actuator rod members 79a and 79b so that the hydraulic cartridge 77 and the actuator rod members 79a and 79b remain parallel through the open and close cycle. Further, the load of the weight of the lid and hinge assembly 60 is maintained directly on top of the actuator rod members 79a and 79b when the main lid 61 is moved from an open to closed position and a closed to open position, further aiding in the removal of lateral or side loads that may contribute to jamming of the lid and hinge assembly 60. As a result of the reduction in lateral loads, wear on the hydraulic cartridge 77 is reduced because the rubber seals in the hydraulic cartridge 77 are not side-loaded during use. A further benefit of the pivoting ability of hydraulic cartridge 77 is the contribution to the ease of operation of the lid and hinge assembly 60.
Referring back to
The actuator brace 76 includes a cavity 83 and a pivoting cover 84 (best seen in
In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 84 is depicted as a pivoting element that is attached to the actuator brace 76 by a screw. Other embodiments are envisioned where other means of attachment (e.g., a press-fit snap) are used to couple the cover 84 to the actuator brace 76 and still other embodiments are envisioned where the cover 84 is replaced with a sliding element to provide access to the cavity 83 and to cover the cavity. Still further embodiments are envisioned wherein the cover 84 is eliminated in its entirety and the top portion of the hydraulic cartridge is snapped or pressed into the cavity 83 in such a manner that it can be removed with the provision of adequate force.
As described in more detail below, the coupling described above is such that, when the trash can 100 is positioned on a support surface, such as a floor, and the pedal 71 is depressed, the pedal 71 will act against the rod assembly 75 causing it to move upward and the rod assembly 75 will tend to move downward when the pedal 71 is released. This results in opening and closure of the lid and hinge assembly 60. Because of the use of the quick-release mounts described above, and the optional hydraulic cartridge 77, the specific manner in which the rod assembly 75 moves can be controlled and adjusted to suit a variety of applications.
For example, in some applications standard opening and closing of the lid assembly will be desired. In such applications, one can customize trash can 100 by not employing the hydraulic cartridge 77 and simply allowing the lid and hinge assembly 60 to open and close through standard operation of the trash can 100.
In other applications, it may be desirable to close the lid and hinge assembly 60 as quickly as possible and to place a closing force on the lid and hinge assembly 60 to keep it closed. In such applications, one may be able to place a closing force on the lid assembly by, for example, coupling a weighted element (not illustrated in the figures) to the brace 76 using the same coupling mechanism described above in connection with the hydraulic cartridge 77. Such a weighted element can serve to place a downward force on the actuator assembly 70, thus tending to close the lid and hinge assembly 60 and to provide a force tending to keep the lid and hinge assembly 60 in the closed position.
In yet other applications, it may be desirable to place odor control devices such as filters or air fresheners under or on the lid 61. The additional weight of such optional odor control devices will require the use of a hydraulic cartridge 77 that is tuned to withstand the greater load resulting from such optional odor control devices.
In yet another embodiment, an elastic device, such as a large elastic band or a corded group of bands could be coupled to the quick-release pivot mount 24 of base assembly and to the actuator brace 76 to provide a force that would tend to result in prompt closure of the lid and hinge assembly 60. In such embodiments, the actuator brace 76 may be eliminated as the elastic element could be placed around or over the cross-bar member 80.
In still further embodiments, it may be desirable to provide a smoothly opening and smoothing closing lid assembly. In such embodiments, a hydraulic actuator 77 may be used that tends to gradually oppose movement in both directions of the actuator assembly 70. In such embodiments, therefore, both the upward and downward movement of the rod assembly will be opposed by the hydraulic cartridge 77 and the trash can will have smooth opening and closing operating characteristics.
In embodiments where a hydraulic cartridge 77 is used, the operating characteristics of the hydraulic cartridge 77 may be tailored to the specific application. For example, in some applications it will be desirable to have the hydraulic cartridge 77 provide equal opposing forces to both the upward and downward movement of the actuator brace 76. In still other applications, it may be desirable to have the opposing force be greater on one direction or the other. In such applications, different hydraulic cartridges 77 may be provided for each desired operating mode. Alternately, an adjustable hydraulic cartridge 77 may be provided where a twisting of a pin or other member can be used to adjust the operating characteristic of the device. Because of the use of the quick-release pivot mounts 24 described above, replacement or removal of the hydraulic cartridge 77 is simple and straightforward and, as such, it is relatively east to “tune” the operation of trash can 100 to the desired operating characteristics of the user.
Referring back to
As depicted generally in
In the specific example of
As depicted in
When the trash can 100 is fully assembled, the main hinge bracket 63 is mounted to the shell 30 through the use of mounting holes 33 and suitable mounting hardware. As reflected in the figures, when the trash can 100 is assembled as described above, the rod members 79a and 79b will extend upwardly from openings 23a and 23b, within the interior of the shell 30 and then outward from, the shell 30, through slots 32a and 32b to a point where they are coupled, on the outside of the shell, to the upper lid hinge 62.
As previously described, when the lid and hinge assembly 60 is positioned as described above, depression of the pedal 71 will result in an upward movement of the rod members 79a and 79b and an opening of the main lid 61. The general operation of this structure is shown in
As reflected in
As reflected in
The pedal plate 73 may be such that it is permanently fixed into position during manufacture or it may be interchangeable. When an interchangeable pedal plate is used, the material used to form the pedal plate 73 may be selected in accordance with various criteria including, in some embodiments, aesthetic criteria. In other embodiments, the pedal plate 73 may be selected to provide some specific designation relating to the intended use of the trash can 100. For example, in one such embodiment, the pedal plate 73 may include markings or designations to identify the intended location at which the trash can should normally be used (e.g., OFFICE, WASHROOM, etc.). This can help in the proper replacement of the trash can after cleaning operations. In other embodiments, the pedal plate 73 may include designations for the types of materials to be placed in the trash can 100 (such as a designation that products of only a single type—e.g., cans—should be placed in the trash can 100). Still further, the pedal plate may include a designation identifying the owner of the trash can 100 (e.g., X CORP).
As the above indicates, through the use of optional replaceable pedal plates 73 and the quick-mounts described above, the trash can 100 can be modified and customized to meet a number of different desired operating characteristics.
Referring back to
In the illustrated example, the liner 50 also includes a venting hole 54 which creates an air path to assist in the placement and removal of trash bags within and about the liner 50. In embodiments where liquid materials are to be placed within the trash can 100, the venting hole 54 may be eliminated or a plug may be positioned in the hole to prevent fluid leakage.
As reflected in
While the illustrated example describes above, alternate embodiments are envisioned where the trim ring 40 is eliminated and the lid assembly makes direct contact with the shell 30 or the liner 50. Still other embodiments are envisioned where a trim ring is coupled to the main lid 61 instead or, or in addition to, the trim ring on the shell 30.
In the example described above, the trim ring 40 defines notched sections 42 that, in connection with the raised sections of the liner 50, enable efficient removal of the liner 50. These exemplary aspects of the trash can 100 are shown in more detail in
The exemplary trim ring 40 includes an outwardly extending ledge-like structure 43 that aligns with the top of the shell 30 and a downwardly extending ring 44 that, in the illustrated example, includes tabs 45 that can engage a portion of the shell 30. In the illustrated example, the upper portion of the shell 30 is inwardly rolled and the tabs 45 engage the inward roll.
The trash can 100 described above is but one example of a trash can incorporating the beneficial features described herein. Other variations are possible. For example,
As depicted, trash can 200 includes the mechanical features as described herein with regard to trash can 100, and numbering of objects depicted in
For instance, trash can 200 includes a shell 230 having openings 232a and 232b and mounting holes 233 similar to those described above with respect to shell 230. Like the trash can 100, the trash can 200 also includes a actuator assembly 270 that includes rod members 279a and 279b arranged in a parallel-vertical arrangement coupled together by a cross-bar member 280. The trash can 200 of
The above embodiments are illustrative and not limiting. Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicants' invention.
Further, when steps are described—unless specifically indicated otherwise—the order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions.
The invention has been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicants, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicants intend to protect fully all such modifications and improvements.
This nonprovisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/553,632, filed Oct. 31, 2011.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61553632 | Oct 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15864933 | Jan 2018 | US |
| Child | 16742809 | US | |
| Parent | 15060943 | Mar 2016 | US |
| Child | 15864933 | US | |
| Parent | 13555886 | Jul 2012 | US |
| Child | 15060943 | US |
