Not applicable to this application.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to barrel covers and more specifically it relates to a ventilated barrel cover system for effectively covering a barrel while allowing for ventilation of the contents of the barrel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Containers to receive litter and recyclables are commonly utilized. However, such containers are typically specifically manufactured for the intended purpose resulting in an increased production cost. In addition, conventional containers for litter and recyclables often times do not provide for adequate ventilation of the interior contents which is desirable to remove any liquid within the contents.
Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved ventilated barrel cover system for effectively covering a barrel while allowing for ventilation of the contents of the barrel.
The invention generally relates to a barrel cover which includes a base positionable upon an upper rim of a barrel, an upper opening extending through the base, and a cover removably attached to the base for selectively closing the upper opening. The base includes at least one vent for allowing ventilation of the interior of the barrel.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
A. Overview.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,
B. Barrel.
The barrel 12 is preferably comprised of a hollow cylindrical shaped structure that is self-supporting, however, the barrel 12 may be comprised of various other configurations capable of receiving a plurality of discarded items 16 (e.g. recyclable materials, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, paper, cardboard, waste material etc.). The barrel 12 may also be lined with a waste liner bag.
C. Base.
The base 20 is preferably removably positioned upon the upper rim 14 of the barrel 12. The base 20 may be semi-permanently secured to the barrel 12 by using a standard ring and bolt drum closure to discourage vandalism and theft. The base 20 may be comprised of various types of materials such as but not limited to plastic, metal, wood or composite materials.
The base 20 is formed to a shape and size to fit upon the upper rim 14 of the barrel 12. It is preferable that the base 20 be comprised of a circular shape (i.e. a ring structure) as most barrels 12 have a circular upper rim 14. For larger diameter barrels 12, the base 20 would correspondingly be increased in diameter and for smaller diameter barrels 12 the base 20 would correspondingly be decreased in diameter to correspond to the diameter of the upper rim 14 of the barrel 12.
The base 20 is comprised of a lower member having a lower opening 27 and an upper member 22 positioned above the lower member defining the vent 50, wherein the upper member 22 includes the upper opening 24 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
At least one support member extends between the lower member and the upper member 22 to support the upper member 22 above the lower member. It is preferable to have a plurality of support members 28 extending between the lower member and the upper member 22 to provide adequate support for the upper member 22 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
An extended portion 25 extends downwardly from the overlapping portion 29. The extended portion 25 extends downwardly within the interior of the barrel 12 and beneath the upper rim 14 of the barrel 12 as further shown in
An interior ring portion 26 extends inwardly from a lower end of the extended portion 25 defining a receiver opening as best illustrated in
D. Vent.
The vent 50 extends through the base 20 to provide for ventilation of the interior of the barrel 12 and the discarded items 16. The height of the vent 50 is sufficient to allow for adequate ventilation of the interior of the barrel 12 while low enough to prevent access to the interior of the barrel 12 to animals or humans. It is preferable that the height of the vent 50 be only approximately a couple of inches at the most.
The vent 50 extends through at least a portion of a perimeter of the base 20 and preferably extends completely around the perimeter of the base 20 as illustrated in
E. Cover.
The cover 30 further preferably includes a lip portion 36 that extends outwardly. The base 20 includes a raised lip 21 surrounding the upper opening 24 to prevent precipitation and other debris from entering the upper opening 24 as illustrated in
The cover 30 further may include an access member 60 that may be removed (e.g. threadably, catchably, etc.) from the main body of the cover 30 exposing an access opening as illustrated in
F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.
In use, the user positions the base 20 upon the upper rim 14 of the barrel 12 as illustrated in
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/445,134 filed Feb. 22, 2011. The 61/445,134 application is currently pending. The 61/445,134 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2678764 | Carlson | May 1954 | A |
4765579 | Robbins et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
4984561 | Warrington | Jan 1991 | A |
5065891 | Casey | Nov 1991 | A |
5634566 | Jansen et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
6505751 | Haas | Jan 2003 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20130092687 A1 | Apr 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61445134 | Feb 2011 | US |