DIVIDABLE STEP GARBAGE CAN

Abstract

A garbage can including a can portion having a bottom wall, a tubular wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and including an upper rim, an inner chamber defined by the bottom wall and the tubular wall, and an open top, a bar adapted to be removably secured simultaneously to a first location and a second location on the upper rim, a ring having a recessed under surface adapted to receive the upper rim therein, the ring being pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to pivot onto and off of the upper rim, and a lid pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to pivot onto and off of the ring when the ring is arranged on the upper rim, wherein the ring is adapted to secure a flexible material between the recessed under surface and the upper rim.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly relates to garbage cans, in particular to garbage cans having the means to secure at least two garbage bags therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garbage cans are well known. Generally, a garbage can comprises an open top container often including a lid attached thereto, wherein the container is adapted to receive an open garbage bag therein for receiving disposed items. The upper margin of a garbage bag held within the container is often draped over the upper edge of the container, and the bag maintains its position within the container primarily by means of frictional forces between the bag and the upper edge of the container.

Accordingly, a problem with prior garbage cans is that the upper margin of a garbage bag held therein tends to get pulled off the upper edge and fall to the bottom of the container, leaving a user with the unpleasant and unhygienic task of retrieving an often soiled garbage bag from the bottom of a dirty garbage can. Attempts to solve this problem often involve elaborate garbage bag designs, which may include such structures as elastic upper margins, draw strings, etc. The design of garbage cans, however, have remained largely unchanged.

Another problem with prior garbage cans is that they can hold only one garbage bag effectively. Considering the frictional engagement of the bag and the top edge of the container is often insufficient to maintain the position of a single garbage bag, as described above, the ability of prior garbage cans to hold two garbage bags side by side within the container is negligible at best, as the portion of each bag adjacent to the other bag would not be in contact with the top edge, thus, reducing an already ineffectual frictional engagement.

Even assuming, arguendo, that the positions of two adjacent garbage bags could be temporarily maintained, for example, by not disturbing them with the disposal of garbage, there would likely be a gap between the bags, due to the amorphous nature of the material of the bags, thus allowing garbage to fall to the bottom of the container between the bags. Certainly, this would also leave the user with the unpleasant and unhygienic task of retrieving garbage from the bottom of a dirty garbage can. Moreover, each bag would invariably be dragged to the bottom of the container when the user attempts to dispose of items into the garbage can which, as stated above, is unhygienic. Accordingly, prior garbage cans are not effective for users wishing to separate different types of garbage into two bags within one can, as may be the case, for example, when required to separate different types of recyclable garbage.

Thus, there is a longfelt need for garbage can having the means to effectively and hygienically hold at least two garbage bags therein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is a garbage can comprising: a can portion having a bottom wall, a tubular wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and including an upper rim, an inner chamber defined by the bottom wall and the tubular wall, and an open top; a bar adapted to be removably secured to a first and a second location on the upper rim, wherein the bar is arranged to extend over the inner chamber between the first and the second location on the rim when removably secured thereto; a ring having a recessed under surface adapted to receive the upper rim therein, the ring being pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to pivot onto and off of the upper rim; and, a lid pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to pivot onto and off of the ring when the ring is arranged on the upper rim, wherein the ring is adapted to secure a flexible material between the recessed under surface and the upper rim.

In one embodiment, the garbage further comprises a: step pedal pivotably connected to the bottom wall; and, a lift arm having a bottom end and a top end, wherein the lift arm is pivotably connected to the step pedal at the bottom end and pivotably connected to the lid at the top end, and the step pedal is arranged to lever the lift arm upwardly when pivoted in a first direction, and the lift arm is arranged to pivot the lid off of the ring when levered upwardly by the step pedal.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a garbage can which is arranged to effectively and hygienically hold at least two garbage bags therein.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures of an exemplary embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention garbage can, shown holding two garbage bags therein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the garbage can, shown with its lid in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the garbage can, shown with the lid in an open position and its retainer ring partially pivoted;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the garbage can, shown with the lid and the retainer ring in the open position;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the garbage can;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational vie of the bar of the garbage can;

FIG. 7 is a top, front perspective view of the retainer ring;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top, back perspective view of a bracket of the retainer ring;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 9-9 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a bottom, back perspective view of the lid;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting bracket of a can portion of the garbage can;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the garbage can;

FIG. 13 is a back elevational view of the garbage can;

FIG. 14 is a right side elevational view of the garbage can, shown with the lid in the closed position; and,

FIG. 15 is a right side elevational view of the garbage can, shown with the lid lifted by a step pedal mechanism of the garbage can.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that the terms “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “top”, and “bottom” when used herein, are relative terms meant to refer to the viewing perspective shown in the figures.

Although many methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

The following description is best understood in view of FIGS. 1-15, which show an exemplary embodiment of the present invention garbage can, hereinafter referred to as “garbage can 100”. Garbage can 100 generally comprises can portion 110, bar 130, ring 150, and lid 170. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention garbage includes a hands-free means for lifting the lid, such as a step mechanism. For example, garbage can 100 may comprise a step mechanism which includes step pedal 190 and lift arm 210, as described in further detail infra.

Can portion 110 includes horizontally arranged bottom wall 111, tubular wall 112 extending upwardly from bottom wall 111, inner chamber 105 defined bottom wall 111 and tubular wall 112, and open top 106. Tubular wall 112 may have a cross-sectional shape resembling any closed figure, for example, a circle or rectangle. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cross-sectional shape of tubular wall 112 is substantially rectangular, thereby defining front wall 113, back wall 115, left side wall 114, and right side wall 117. Tubular wall 112 includes upper rim 116. The term “upper rim” when used herein refers to the upper margin of the tubular wall, not simply the top edge of the tubular wall, which is shown in the figures and referred to herein as “top edge 116a”. Inner chamber is arranged to receive at least one open garbage bag therein. However, inner chamber 105 is preferably arranged to receive at least two open garbage bags, such as first garbage bag 50 and second garbage bag 60.

The present invention garbage can also comprises a bar adapted to be removably secured to a first and a second location on the upper rim of the tubular wall, wherein the bar is arranged to extend over the inner chamber between the first and the second location on the upper rim when removably secured thereto. The bar is adapted to divide the open top of the can portion into two apertures and is preferably adapted to simultaneously secure at least a portion of two open garbage bags arranged within the open chamber to the upper rim, in order to help prevent the two garbage bags from falling to the bottom of the can portion.

For example, as shown in the figures, garbage can 100 comprises bar 130. Bar 130 includes a first end, which comprises first hook 132 arranged above first tab 133, and a second end, which comprises second hook 134 arranged above second tab 135. Bar 130 may be removably secured to a first and a second location on tubular wall 112, such that it extends across open top 106 over inner chamber 105, by simply clasping first hook 132 to a first location on upper rim 116, and clasping second hook 134 to a second location on upper rim 116.

However, in the embodiment shown in the figures, tubular wall 112 includes first slot 113b in upper rim 116 of front wall 113, and second slot 115b in upper rim 116 of back wall 115. First slot 113b is arranged to slidingly receive first tab 133, and second slot 115b is arranged to slidingly receive second tab 135. Bar 130 may be removably secured to upper rim 116 at first location by clasping first hook 132 to upper rim 116 above first slot 113b, such that first tab 132 is inserted within first slot 113b, and clasping second hook 134 to upper rim 116 above second slot 115b, such that second tab 134 is inserted within second slot 115b. The arrangement of first and second tabs, 133 and 135, within first and second slots, 113b and 115b, respectively, helps keep bar 130 stationary on upper rim 116 by preventing it from sliding on top edge 116a.

Bar 130 also includes left side wall 130a and right side wall 130b. Left and right side walls, 130a and 130b, extend along the length of bar 130, are substantially parallel to each other, and substantially vertically disposed. Left and right side walls, 130a and 130b, are arranged to trap a portion of each of two garbage bags arranged within inner chamber 105.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, first bag 50, having interior 55, and second bag 60, having interior 65, are each arranged within inner chamber 105 such that one portion of the upper margin of each bag hangs over top edge 116a, and the remaining portion of the upper margin of each bag extends between front wall 113 and back wall 115. In this figure, bar 130 is shown trapping a portion of the upper margin of each of first and second garbage bags, 50 and 60, between left and right side walls, 130a and 130b, and securing a portion of each of said bags to upper rim 116 by trapping such portions underneath first and second hooks, 132 and 134. Additionally, bar 130 preferably includes a longitudinally beveled top surface, as illustrated with the broken line shown extending along the length of the top of bar 130 between first and second hooks, 132 and 134. Such beveling provides two pitched surfaces along the top of bar 130, one which extends downwardly toward first bag 50 and one which extends downwardly toward second bag 60, each of which helps guide items into the bag toward which it extends.

The present invention garbage can also comprises a retainer ring pivotably coupled to the can portion and arranged to pivot onto and off of the upper rim of the tubular wall. The retainer ring includes a recessed under surface adapted to receive the upper rim therein. Thus, when garbage bags are arranged within the inner chamber such that their upper margins hang over the top edge of the tubular wall, the retainer ring is arranged to secure such upper margins of the bags to the upper rim by trapping them between the recessed under surface and the top edge.

For example, garbage can 100 comprises ring 150 which comprises recessed under surface 151. Ring 150 is pivotably coupled to tubular wall 116 and arranged to pivot onto and off of upper rim 116, as illustrated with the arrows shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the portion of bar 130 between first hook 132 and second hook 134 is arranged elevationally lower than top edge 116a when bar 130 is removably secured to upper rim 116. This arrangement allows ring 150 to fit over upper rim 116 without obstruction, i.e., first and second hooks, 132 and 134, are also receivable within recessed under surface 151. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, ring 150 is adapted to secure first and second garbage bags, 50 and 60, to upper rim 116 by trapping their upper margins between recessed under surface 151 and top edge 116a, thereby preventing them from falling to the bottom of can portion 110.

The present invention retainer ring may be pivotably coupled to the can portion by any means known in the art. For example, as shown in the figures, can portion 110 include mounting bracket 120 arranged on upper rim 116 of back wall 115. As shown in FIG. 11, mounting bracket 120 includes first and second pivot pins, 122 and 124, respectively. Ring 150 includes bracket 152 having first and second apertures, 152a and 152b, respectively. First and second apertures, 152a and 152b, are arranged to receive first and second pivot pins, 122 and 124, therein, and when received therein, ring 150 is arranged to pivot on first and second pivot pins, 122 and 124, i.e., ring 150 is pivotably coupled to can portion 110.

Thus, the positions of two adjacent garbage bags, such as first bag 50 and second bag 60, can be effectively held in garbage can 100, as left and right side walls, 130a and 130b, enclose the upper margins of each bag which are not in contact with upper rim 116, thereby covering any gap that may form therebetween, first and second hooks, 132 and 134, cover and secure a portion of the upper margins of the bags to upper rim 116, and ring 150 covers and secures all the upper margins of the bags draped over upper rim 116, including those portions which are underneath first and second hooks, 132 and 134.

The present invention garbage can also comprises a lid pivotably coupled to the can portion, and arranged to pivot onto and off of the retainer ring, when the retainer ring is arranged on the upper rim of the can portion. For example, garbage can 100 comprises lid 170, which is pivotably coupled to can portion 110 and arranged to pivot onto and off of ring 150, when ring 150 is arranged on upper rim 116. Lid 170 includes a concave bottom surface 171, first and second apertures, 172a and 172b, respectively, and first and second pivot pins, 173a and 173b, respectively. First and second apertures, 172a and 172b, are arranged to receive first and second pivots pins, 122 and 124, therein, and when received therein, lid 170 is arranged to pivot on first and second pivot pins, 122 and 124, i.e., lid 170 is pivotably coupled to can portion 110.

As stated above, the present invention garbage can preferably includes a hands-free means for lifting the lid, such as a step mechanism, as such mechanisms are both convenient when a user's hands are full and hygienic in that a user need not touch the lid. For example, garbage can 100 comprises a step mechanism which includes step pedal 190 and lift arm 210. In order to unobtrusively connect step pedal 190 and lift arm 210 to can portion 110, bottom wall 111 is arranged substantially horizontally and preferably includes recessed undersurface 111a, which is arranged to receive step pedal 190. Additionally, back wall 115 preferably includes vertically arranged recessed outer surface 115a, which is arranged to slidingly receive lift arm 210. Moreover, front wall 113 includes recess 113a, which provides the space above step pedal 190 necessary to apply a mechanical force downwardly thereon.

Step pedal 190 includes pedal portion 191 and a U-shaped member extending therefrom. The U-shaped member includes left arm 192, right arm 194, and cylindrical bar 196. Left arm 192 includes left aperture 192a, and right arm 194 includes right aperture 194a. In this embodiment, bottom wall 111 includes left pivot pin 111c and right pivot pin 111b. Left aperture 192a and right aperture 194a are arranged to receive left pivot pin 111c and right pivot pin 111b, respectively, therein, and when received therein, step pedal 190 is arranged to pivot relative to can portion 110, such that when pedal portion 191 is forced downwardly, cylindrical bar 196 is forced upwardly.

Lift arm 210 includes a bottom end comprising cylindrical recess 211 and top end 212 comprising left and right apertures, 212a and 212b, respectively. Cylindrical recess 211 is arranged to pivotably receive cylindrical bar 196 of step pedal 190 therein. Left and right apertures, 212a and 212b are arranged to pivotably receive first and second pivot pins, 173a and 173b, respectively, of lid 170.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when a force is applied downwardly to pedal portion 191, as illustrated with the arrow pointing thereto, cylindrical bar 196 is forced upwardly, which pushes lift arm 210 upwardly, as illustrated with the arrow adjacent to lift arm 210. When lift arm 210 is moves upwardly, it pushes lid 170, which simultaneously pivots in left and right apertures, 212a and 212b, and on first and second pivot pins, 122 and 124, of bracket 120. Thus, when step pedal 190 is pivotably coupled to can portion 110 and lift arm 210, and lift arm is pivotably coupled to lid 170, as described supra, lid 170 may be pivoted off of ring 150 by applying a downwardly directed force to pedal portion 191, for example, stepping on pedal portion 191. In other words, step pedal 190 is arranged to lever lift arm 210 upwardly when a downwardly directed force is applied to pedal portion 191. Preferably, mounting bracket 120 includes cross-bar 125 which is arranged to help guide lift arm 210 as it raises and lowers within recessed outer surface 115a.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A garbage can comprising:

a can portion having a bottom wall, a tubular wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and including an upper rim, an inner chamber defined by the bottom wall and the tubular wall, and an open top;

a bar adapted to be removably secured simultaneously to a first location and a second location on the upper rim, wherein the bar is arranged to extend over the inner chamber between the first and the second location on the upper rim when removably secured thereto;

a ring having a recessed under surface adapted to receive the upper rim therein, the ring being pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to pivot onto and off of the upper rim; and,

a lid pivotally coupled to the container and arranged to pivot onto and off of the ring when the ring is arranged on the upper rim, wherein the ring is adapted to secure a flexible material between the recessed under surface and the upper rim.

2. The garbage can recited in claim 1, wherein the upper rim comprises a top edge and the bar is arranged elevationally lower than the top edge when removably secured to the upper rim.

3. The garbage can recited in claim 1, wherein the bar includes a first end comprising a first hook and a second end comprising a second hook, and the first hook is adapted to clasp onto the upper rim at the first location and the second hook is adapted to clasp onto the upper rim at the second location.

4. The garbage can recited in claim 1, wherein the upper rim includes a first slot at the first location and a second slot at the second location, the bar includes a first end having a first tab and a second end having a second tab, and the first tab is adapted to be inserted into the first slot, and the second tab is adapted to be inserted into the second slot

5. The garbage can recited in claim 1, wherein the garbage can further comprises a:

step pedal pivotably connected to the bottom wall; and,

a lift arm having a bottom end and a top end, wherein the lift arm is pivotably connected to the step pedal at the bottom end and pivotably connected to the lid at the top end, and the step pedal is arranged to lever the lift arm upwardly when pivoted in a first direction, and the lift arm is arranged to pivot the lid off of the ring when levered upwardly by the step pedal.