Patent Application
20230159268
The present invention relates to a waste management receptacle system for the disposal of feces and other odorous waste in connection with residential waste management.
Residential garbage receptacles are traditionally developed to have a single location or sump in which waste of all forms may be deposited therein. The present invention relates to the disposal of feces and other odorous waste in a residential garbage receptacle. which usually leads to and not limited to bags of animal (as well as human) organic waste being squished, stuck at a receptacle bottom. This leads to bags of animal organic waste being squished or stuck to the receptacle interior, creating foul smells and unsanitary conditions under present disposal methods. Thus, a need exists to provide a simple solution which may be integral with current residential garbage receptacles or an auxiliary compartment thereto which creates a simple, effective, and sanitary way to dispose of fecal and other odorous waste which may foul garbage receptacles, creating discomfort and displeasure to a user tasked with the maintenance of the receptacle and the disposal of further residential waste.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a waste management receptacle system with separate compartments for the containment of foul or odorous waste.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary waste receptacle system for use with an existing waste receptacle for the containment of foul or odorous waste.
A further object of the invention is to provide a separate waste receptacle in a waste receptacle system to control particularly noxious odors within a separate compartment.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a removable waste receptacle system which would prevent squishing or sticking of odorous organic waste to a waste receptacle system.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to a waste management receptacle system for containment of odorous waste. The system comprises a primary receptacle comprising a base with vertically extending sidewalls forming an interior portion, a rim, and primary receptacle lid proximate said rim movable between an open position and a closed position. A secondary receptacle may be place within the primary receptacle interior. The secondary receptacle comprises a bottom with upstanding sidewalls forming a secondary interior, a rim, and a lid portion moveable between an open position and a closed position. A clamping member comprises a lateral member having ends with first and second longitudinal members extending therefrom. The second or first longitudinal member may be coupled to the secondary receptacle proximate the secondary receptacle rim, and a clamping channel may be formed between the longitudinal members. The clamping member may further comprise at least one fastening member disposed on the first or second longitudinal members, the at least one fastening member movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The clamping member may be secured to at least one of the vertically extending sidewalls of the primary receptacle upon insertion of the at least one of the vertically extending sidewalls of the primary receptacle within the clamping channel and placement of the at least one fastening member into the engaged position such that the secondary receptacle is disposed within the primary receptacle interior. A user may move the primary receptacle lid and/or the secondary receptacle lid portion to deposit waste within the primary receptacle interior portion, the secondary interior, or both.
The secondary receptacle may comprise a sloped bottom to facilitate release of waste within the primary receptacle interior portion upon inversion of the waste management receptacle system. The at least one of the vertically extending sidewalls of the primary receptacle may comprise at least one stanchion member for receiving said at least one fastening member in the engaged position. The secondary receptacle may further comprise a removable receptacle liner portion for placement within the secondary interior. The removable receptacle liner portion comprises a container base having vertically extending sidewalls forming a container interior for deposit of waste therein. The removable receptacle liner portion sidewalls may comprise a plurality of openings. The secondary receptacle sidewalls may comprise a plurality of projecting tabs receivable with the plurality of openings to form to a detent mechanism. The removable receptacle liner portion may further comprise a rim having a flanged seal or gasket to facilitate sealing of the secondary interior and container interior when the secondary receptacle lid portion is in the closed position. The secondary receptacle lid portion comprises a moveable extension portion having a closure end, wherein said extension portion closure end is disposed on an exterior of the primary receptacle when the primary receptacle lid and the secondary receptacle lid portion are in the closed position, and wherein the extension portion is in mechanical communication with the primary receptacle lid and the secondary receptacle lid portion such that response to movement of the extension portion, the primary receptacle lid and the secondary receptacle lid portion may be moved from the closed position to the open position. The extension portion closure end may further comprise a magnetic or mechanical latch mechanism.
The present invention also provides a waste receptacle for use with a waste management system for containment of odorous waste. The waste receptacle comprises a waste receptacle housing comprising a bottom with upstanding sidewalls forming a waste receptacle interior and a rim. A clamping member comprises a lateral member having ends with first and second longitudinal members extending therefrom. A clamping channel may be formed between the longitudinal members, and at least one fastening member may be disposed on the first or second longitudinal members. The at least one fastening member movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, and the second or first longitudinal member may be coupled to the waste receptacle housing proximate the rim. The waste receptacle may further comprise a lid portion moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein odorous waste may be placed within the waste receptacle interior upon movement of the waste receptacle lid to the open position. The receptacle housing may comprise a sloped bottom. The waste receptacle may further comprise a removable receptacle liner portion for placement within the waste receptacle interior, the removable receptacle liner portion comprising a container base having vertically extending sidewalls forming a container interior for deposit of odorous waste therein. The removable receptacle liner portion sidewalls may comprise a plurality of openings and the waste receptacle housing sidewalls may comprise a plurality of projecting tabs receivable with the plurality of openings to form a detent mechanism. The removable receptacle liner portion may further comprise a rim having a flanged seal or gasket to facilitate sealing of the waste receptacle interior and container interior when the waste receptacle lid portion is in the closed position. The lid portion may further comprise a moveable extension portion in mechanical communication with the waste receptacle lid portion. The extension portion may include a closure end comprising a magnetic or mechanical latch mechanism.
In another aspect the present invention further provides a method of using a waste management receptacle system for containment of odorous waste. The method comprises providing a waste management system comprising a primary receptacle comprising a base with vertically extending sidewalls forming an interior portion, a rim, and primary receptacle lid proximate said rim movable between an open position and a closed position. A secondary receptacle may be place within the primary receptacle interior. The secondary receptacle comprises a bottom with upstanding sidewalls forming a secondary interior, a rim, and a lid portion moveable between an open position and a closed position. A clamping member comprises a lateral member having ends with first and second longitudinal members extending therefrom. The second or first longitudinal member may be coupled to the secondary receptacle proximate the secondary receptacle rim, and a clamping channel may be formed between the longitudinal members. The clamping member may further comprise at least one fastening member disposed on the first or second longitudinal members, the at least one fastening member movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The method further comprises inserting at least one of the vertically extending sidewalk of the primary receptacle within the clamping channel, and placing the at least one fastening member into the engaged position to secure the clamping member to the at least one of the vertically extending sidewalls of the primary receptacle such that said secondary receptacle is disposed within the primary receptacle interior. The method may further comprise moving said primary receptacle lid to the open position to expose the primary receptacle interior portion, moving said secondary receptacle lid portion to the open position to expose the secondary receptacle interior portion, and placing odorous waste within said secondary receptacle interior portion.
The secondary receptacle lid portion may comprise a moveable extension portion having a closure end, wherein the extension portion closure end is disposed on an exterior of the primary receptacle when the primary receptacle lid and the secondary receptacle lid portion are in the closed position, and wherein the extension portion is in mechanical communication with the primary receptacle lid and the secondary receptacle lid portion. The method may further comprise moving the extension portion such that the steps of moving the primary receptacle lid and moving the secondary receptacle lid occur simultaneously.
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In describing the embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to
Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “include” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”, “operatively coupled”, or the like to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or operatively coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Moreover, it can be removable or integral with the other element and/or intervening elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly coupled”, or “directly operatively coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Relative terms such as “below,” “above,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “top,” “bottom,” “rear,” “front,” “side,” or the like may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element or component to another element or component as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Additionally, in the subject description, the words “exemplary,” “illustrative,” or the like are used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily intended to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or design. Rather, use of the words “exemplary” or “illustrative” is merely intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
The waste management receptacle system 1 the embodiments depicted in
Primary receptacle 10 and secondary receptacle 20 may be constructed of a polymer, fiberglass, or some other material which would provide sufficient durability and flexibility to the receptacles while also achieving a light-weight construction. In some embodiments, primary receptacle 10 may comprise a handle 13 on an upper sidewall surface and wheels on a lower sidewall surface to facilitate transport of the waste management receptacle system 1.
While the secondary receptacle of the embodiments depicted herein is disposed. within only a portion of the primary receptacle, in some embodiments, upstanding sidewalls 26 of the secondary receptacle may extend such that the secondary receptacle would have a dimensional height similar to that of the primary receptacle interior portion 15 (See
Clamping member 30 may be directly coupled to the secondary receptacle 20, preferably via the upper region of sidewall 26b such that lateral member 30c of clamping member is adjacent secondary receptacle rim 28. Longitudinal members 30a, 30b extend perpendicularly from ends of the lateral member 30c, forming a U-shaped connecting member which may be received by one or more sidewalls 5, 6, 7, 8 of the primary receptacle 10 via the clamping channel 39. To further facilitate the attachment of the clamping member to the primary receptacle, the interior portions of the longitudinal member and/or lateral members forming clamping channel 39 may comprise a textured silicone, rubber, or other material to provide additional grip to facilitate the connection between clamping member 30 and the primary receptacle 10. After received on the sidewall 5, 6, 7, 8, longitudinal member 30a is located on the interior portion 15 of the sidewall, with longitudinal member 30b disposed on the exterior surface of sidewall 5, 6, 7, 8. Clamping member 30 may be constructed of fiberglass, polymers, metals, or metallic alloys including steel, aluminum alloys, or combinations thereof.
Clamping member 30 may be secured to the primary receptacle 10 through at least one fastening member 32, which may be a threaded screw, locking pin, or other similar fastening device. Optionally, the sidewall 5, 6, 7, 8 may comprise one or more openings 19 in order to secure fastening member 32 therein. Responsive to rotation, translation, or other movement of the fastening member(s) 32, the fastening member 32 will move from a disengaged position where the fastening member(s) are located on the outer portion of the clamping member 30 to an engaged position such that the fastener member is located on the interior portion of the clamping member, i.e., between longitudinal members 30a and 30b. While fastening members are in the disengaged position and after clamping member 30 has been received by a primary receptacle sidewall, the fastening member 32 may be moved to the engaged position, wherein a clamping force may be applied, securing the clamping member 30 to the primary receptacle sidewall. While clamping member 30 is depicted in
In one or more embodiments, secondary receptacle may be formed integral with the primary receptacle, thereby removing the need to secure the secondary receptacle to the primary receptacle via clamping member 30, like the embodiment depicted in
In one or more embodiments, the primary receptacle 10 may further comprise one or more stanchion members 33 on sidewall 5, 6, 7, 8 to provide further support or structure to the primary receptacle 10, preventing collapse of sidewall 5, 6, 7, 8 in situations where fastening member 32 in the engaged position would cause flexing of longitudinal members 30a, 30b towards one another, and may further prevent damage to the sidewalls of the primary receptacle. Optionally, the primary receptacle 10 may include a peripheral flange extension 18′, which would provide strength to the primary receptacle 10, as well as a stop surface to the fastening member upon inversion of the waste management receptacle system 1. Advantageously, movement of clamping member 30 would be prevented upon inversion of the waste management receptacle system in the case that the clamping force applied by the fastening member 32 fails.
During use of the waste management receptacle system 1, a user with particularly odorous or foul waste (such as fecal waste) can lift lid 12, exposing the interior portion 15 of the primary receptacle 10, as well as secondary receptacle 20 which is encapsulated by secondary lid 22. The user may then move secondary lid 22 to the open position, allowing access to the secondary interior 25. The user may then place the odorous or foul waste within the secondary interior 25 and subsequently close either secondary lid 22, primary lid 12, or both. Thus, the waste management receptacle system allows a user to isolate particularly foul, odorous waste separate from other refuse which can be placed within a primary receptacle. When a user with further refuse uses the waste management receptacle system 1, the user may lift primary lid 12, thereby exposing interior portion 15, and place refuse within the interior portion 15 without opening secondary lid 22. In this manner, particularly foul waste will continue to be isolated, and the user will not be subject to foul odors or smells while using the waste management receptacle system of the present invention.
In some embodiments, like those depicted in
Turning now to the embodiments depicted in
During collection of the waste management system of the present invention, a waste collection service may dispose of the waste within the waste management system 1 by inverting the primary receptacle 10 (after removal of lid 12 for receptacles which are not hinged) allowing gravitational forces to cause waste to be freed from the interior portion 15 of the primary receptacle, while secondary lid 22 may simultaneously be moved to an open position, thereby exposing secondary interior 25, allowing the odorous or foul waste to be subsequently fall via gravitational forces from the secondary interior 25. After returning the waste management system 1 to a right-side-up position, a user may subsequently return primary and secondary lids 12, 22 to the waste management system 1. Advantageously, the closure of primary lid 12 to secure the primary receptacle will cause secondary lid 22 to subsequently close and secure the secondary receptacle, thereby providing a timesaving benefit to the end user.
In some embodiments, like those shown in
In one or more embodiments, the secondary receptacle 20 may include a receptacle liner portion 40, like those depicted in
Thus, the present invention provides one or more of the following advantages: (1) a waste management receptacle system with separate compartments for the containment of foul or odorous waste; (2) an auxiliary waste receptacle system for use with an existing waste receptacle for the containment of foul or odorous waste; (3) a separate waste receptacle in a waste receptacle system to control particularly noxious odors within a separate compartment; and (4) a removable waste receptacle system which would prevent squishing or sticking of odorous organic waste to a waste receptacle system.
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with one or more specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is:
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63281305 | Nov 2021 | US |
