The present disclosure relates generally to a waste receptacle and, more particularly, to a waste receptacle having a false bottom.
Conventional waste receptacles are available in many different configurations and sizes. For example, some waste receptacles are generally cylindrical and straight, while other waste receptacles are generally rectangular and tapered. In addition, some receptacles come equipped with wheels for easier transport, and/or handles for use in tipping and lifting. Regardless of the configuration, conventional waste receptacles can be purchased and/or leased in standard sizes ranging from a few quarts to hundreds of gallons.
Although conventional waste receptacles can be used in many different ways and for many different purposes, the fixed configuration and size of each conventional waste receptacle can present difficulties for the user. For example, some conventional waste receptacles selected for their larger size may be too deep for certain applications, requiring the user to bend and/or reach into the receptacle to remove waste. In other instances, the larger conventional waste receptacles may be so large that, when filled with relatively dense waste, the receptacle can be too heavy to move or empty. In yet other instances, waste fluid may collect at a bottom of a conventional waste receptacle, creating a sanitation issue and making emptying and cleaning of the receptacle difficult.
The disclosed waste receptacle is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a false bottom for a waste receptacle. The false bottom may include a rigid plate-like body configured for insertion into the waste receptacle. The false bottom may also include a flexible liner connected to a perimeter of the rigid plate-like body. The flexible liner may extend in a direction normal to the rigid plate-like body.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a container for a waste receptacle. The container may include a lower surface, and a side surface connected to, surrounding, and extending normal to the lower surface. The container may further include at least one support configured to support a false bottom a distance away from the lower surface.
In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a waste receptacle. This waste receptacle may include a container having a side surface connected to, surrounding, and extending normal to a lower surface. The waste receptacle may also include a false bottom disposed inside the container and having a rigid plate-like body, and a flexible liner connected to a perimeter of the rigid plate-like body. The flexible liner may extend toward an opening of the container. The waste receptacle may further include at least one support configured to support the false bottom a distance away from the lower surface of the container.
Container 12 may be a generally enclosed vessel made from a lower surface 18 and a side surface 20 that surrounds a perimeter of lower surface 18 and extends upward in a normal direction away from lower surface 18. In the disclosed embodiment, lower surface 18 and side surface 20 are integral with each and formed from a plastic material. For example, lower surface 18 and side surface 20 may be formed via a roto-molding or injection-molding process. It is contemplated, however, that lower surface 18 and/or side surface 20 could alternatively be made from another mater (e.g., metal) and/or by another process (e.g., deep draw, stamping/welding, etc.). In the disclosed example, container 12 may be generally rectangular (See
The disclosed embodiment of container 12 includes additional features that increase a functionality of waste receptacle 10. In particular, a lid 22 may be provided to close off the open end of side surface 20. In one example, lid 22, having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of side-surface 20, is pivotally connected (e.g., via a hinge 24) to an upper edge of side surface 20 at a first side of container 12. This configuration may allow lid 22 to be selectively pivoted about hinge 24 in a direction represented by an arrow 23 to overlap and thereby cap off the open end of side surface 20. It is contemplated, however, that lid 22 could alternatively be disconnected from side surface 20 (i.e., that hinge 24 could be omitted) and selectively placed over the open end of side surface 20 to cap off container 12. A handle 26 may be connected to or otherwise formed at hinge 24, allowing manipulation (e.g., lifting, pulling, tilting, etc.) of waste receptacle 10. Likewise, one or more wheels 28 may be formed at the same side of container 12 as hinge 24 and handle 26, but at an opposite end (i.e., at an intersection of lower and side surfaces 18, 20). In this location, pulling of handle 26 in a direction away from container 12 may cause waste receptacle 10 to pivot about wheel(s) 28 in a direction represented by an arrow 30. It is contemplated, however, that non-tilting configurations (e.g., four-wheel configurations) may also be used, if desired.
In some embodiments, container 12 may include a drain 32 that allows waste fluids collected inside of waste receptacle 10 to be removed in an easy and sanitary manner. Drain 32 is shown in
False bottom 14 may be selectively used to adjust a depth and/or volume of waste receptacle 10, while also providing improved sanitation. False bottom 14 may include, among other things, a rigid plate-like body 34, and a rigid or flexible liner 36 that is connected to a perimeter of body 34. Liner 36 may extend upward away from body 34 in a normal direction. In one embodiment, body 34 is made from a plastic material, while liner 36 is made from a rubber material. It is contemplated, however, that body 34 and liner 36 could be made from the same material and/or a not plastic or rubber material. Body 34 may be rigid enough to keep body 34 in place while supporting a load of waste material placed into receptacle 10. In the disclosed embodiment, liner 36 is permanently bonded (e.g., chemically and/or thermally bonded) to the perimeter of body 34, although separate components are also envisioned.
In the disclosed embodiment, body 34 of false bottom 14 is porous. For example, body 34 may be fabricated as grid of intersecting ribs with spacing therebetween (see
In the disclosed embodiment, liner 36 is impermeable, thinner than body 34, and configured to generally conform to an interior shape of container 12. It is contemplated, however, that in other embodiments, liner 36 could be permeable to facilitate a lower weight and/or additional draining functionality, if desired. Liner 36 may function as an easily cleanable and durable barrier that keeps waste material away from side surface 20. Although liner 36 may be configured to extend from body 34 to the upper edge of side surface 20, it is contemplated that liner 36 may have any height. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more handles 38 (e.g., two handles 38 at opposing sides) may be connected to liner 36 at an end opposite body 34. Handle(s) 38 may be used to remove false bottom 14 from container 12.
Support 16 may be configured to support false bottom 14 at a particular height inside container 12. In one example, support 16 is an integral portion of container 12. In particular, support 16 could be a molded feature protruding inward (see left support 16 shown in
The disclosed waste receptacle 10 may provide greater versatility and sanitation for the user. In particular, the disclosed false bottom 14 may be used to reduce a depth and/or volume of the associated container 12. In addition, the disclosed support 16 may provide a foundation for false bottom 14 and, in some embodiments, may be adjusted (e.g., replaced with a different supports 16 of differing length leg members) to provide for multiple height levels. Further, the disclosed liner 36 of waste receptacle 10 may improve the cleanliness of the associated container 12, while the disclosed drain 32 may provide a way to dispose of waste fluids with improved sanitation.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed waste receptacle. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed waste receptacle. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5031796 | Schafer | Jul 1991 | A |
20130056373 | Benson | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20140352054 | Tollasepp | Dec 2014 | A1 |