Patent Application
20100050370
It is desirable to provide two waste collection containers for separating waste streams such as trash and recyclables. Known solutions generally utilize completely separate containers or a separate container attached to either the perimeter of the main collection container or hanging to the inside of the main collection container. The latter methods require the user to remove the secondary container to empty the main collection container. Other known methods entail dividing the opening at the top of the main collection container with rigid components, e.g. bails. This method requires the end user to manipulate the can liners being held by the bails in order to avoid pulling both can liners at the same time when only one liner needs to be changed.
In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a bag holder that can be positioned on a container and defines an opening allowing access to the interior of the container. A portion of the bag holder surrounds the opening and defines a first section and a second section where the first section is arranged to support a first can liner in the container interior and the second section is arranged to hold a second can liner in the container interior. The first and second sections may also cooperate to also hold a single can liner in the container interior. The can liners are supported in the interior without any support structure extending across the opening. The portion may include protrusions for engaging the can liner and may be defined by an upwardly extending wall. Two gaps may be provided in said wall to define said first section and said second section.
A cinch may be provided for holding the first can liner and the second can liner on the first section and the second section under tension. The bag holder may be integrally molded on the container or it may be a separate component. The container may be mounted on a vacuum cleaner unit that may be mounted on wheels.
A method of using a waste stream separator is provided comprising providing a bag holder on a container where the bag holder comprising a base defining an opening. A wall surrounds the opening and defines a first section and a second section that are separated by a first gap and a second gap. A top edge of a first can liner is draped over the first section and inserted into the first gap and the second gap such that a portion of the top edge of the first can liner extends across the opening. The first can liner is pulled tight over the wall and tension is maintained on the first can liner by retaining excess first can liner in a cinch. The process may be repeated for a second can liner.
The waste stream separator of the invention is described with reference to the embodiments shown in the attached drawings. Referring to
Vacuum cleaner unit 4 includes a motor for generating suction in a hose 8 and wand 10. An attachment such as a floor unit 5 may be connected to the wand 10. A dirt receptacle for retaining the vacuumed dirt and debris is located within vacuum cleaner unit 4. The dirt receptacle may be accessible through a door 11 to allow disposal of the collected dirt and debris. The motor for driving the vacuum may be an electric motor that connects to a power source through an electrical plug 9. The vacuum cleaner unit 4 may embody any suitable vacuum structure. Hose 8 and wand 10 may be releasably supported on the apparatus. The floor unit 5 may be supported on platform 4a and retained by flange 7 that engages mating structure on the floor unit 5. The wand may be held in clamp 12 and the hose may be held in channel 14 formed on the bag holder 16. The clamp 12 and channel 14 may comprise recesses that deform to releasably grip the hose 8 and wand 10.
While the waste stream separator is shown used with a container 2 mounted on a vacuum cleaner unit 4, the waste stream collector may be used with any container with or without the vacuum cleaner unit 4. Further, while the invention is described with specific reference to waste material, the separator of the invention may be used to separate any collected materials and is not limited to waste material.
For new containers, the bag holder portion 16 can be formed integrally with the upper rim of container 2 that defines the open upper end of the container. For existing containers, a separate injection molded bag holder portion 16 made from as a single component or multiple components can be attached to the container's rim. Can liners can be stretched over the bag holder portion 16 as will hereinafter be described.
The bag holder 16 comprises a base 16a that defines an opening 21 that provides access to the interior of container 2. In the illustrated embodiment the opening 21 is circular to match the opening of container 2, although opening 21 and container 4 may have other shapes if desired.
Referring to
A plurality of clips 31 may be provided to hold the bag holder 16 on the rim of container 2. In the illustrated embodiment each clip 31 is molded as part of the bag holder and is formed in wall 25 and includes a portion 31a (
The bag holder 16 may also be formed with storage pockets 35 for holding miscellaneous equipment used by cleaning personnel. Hooks 41 may also be provided for retaining other equipment such as electrical cords, hanging bags or the like. A handle 43 may also be formed on the bag holder 16 that can be gripped by the user to manipulate the container 2 and/or vacuum unit 4 allowing the user to push or pull the unit around.
Gaps 24 formed as slots in walls 23, 25 and 27 are provided that divide the opening 21 into sections 20 and 22. The gaps 24 accommodate the loading of the can liners into the bag holder 16 and separate the waste or other deposited material into two waste streams. In the illustrated embodiment the gaps 24 are arranged to separate the container into two equal sized halves. The gaps 24 may also be arranged such that the sections 20 and 22 are of unequal size.
A plurality of flanges or protrusions 43 extend outwardly from the wall 23 to grip the can liner and retain the liner on the bag holder 16 in opening 21 as will hereinafter be described. The can liners 28a and 28b (
The can liners are pulled relatively taught around the sections 20 and 22 such that the liner is stretched over the raised sections 20 and 22 and grabbed by protrusions 43. The tension in the can liner creates a compressive force on the wall 23 and protrusions 43 to maintain the bag in the suspended position. Excess bag material may be tied into a knot to maintain the tension on the can liner and to maintain the engagement of the can liner with sections 20 and 22 and protrusions 43. Alternatively, the excess can liner material may be retained by a cinch. The cinch comprises holes 32 formed in the bag holder 16. The excess liner material is pulled through the top of holes 32 and is inserted into slots 45 to keep tension on the upper edge of the can liners to create a snug engagement between the can liners and the protrusions 43 and wall 23 to prevent the can liners from falling into the container 2. Tension created by stretching the can liners over the protrusions 43 and raised sections 20 and 22 on opposing sides of the bag holder allows the opening into container 2 to be divided without having a rigid member interrupt the opening that would disrupt the ease of pulling the can liners from the collection container during the emptying operation.
In use the bag holder 16 is located over the top rim of container 2. If the bag holder 16 is a separate device from container 2, the rim of the container 2 may be inserted into cavity 29 and is locked in place by clips 31. The open top edge of a first can liner is draped over raised section 20 and is inserted into gaps 24 such that it extends across a portion of opening 21. The can liner is pulled tight over raised section 20 and is maintained in place using either the cinch mechanism or by tying a knot in the bag to maintain tension on the raised section 20. Likewise, the open top edge of a second can liner is draped over raised section 22 and is inserted into gaps 24 such that it extends across half of opening. The can liner is pulled tight over section 20 and is maintained in place using either the cinch mechanism or by tying a knot in the excess material of the can liner to maintain tension on the can liner. When loaded with two bags, the upper edges of the can liners A and B between the gaps 24 are disposed side by side such that the opening is covered by the two can liners. One can liner may be used where access to the container may be had via the uncovered portion of opening. Alternatively, a single can liner may be used where the upper edge of the can liner is positioned around both sections 20 and 22 such that the can liner fills the entire opening 1.
While embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described above.
This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the filing date of to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/093,571, as filed on Sep. 2, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61093571 | Sep 2008 | US |
