Including Guiding Means For Directing Trash Into The Container (e.g., Funnel) Patents (Class 220/908.3)
  • Patent number: 8695484
    Abstract: A device for preparing a beverage from a capsule containing an ingredient of the beverage, includes a housing with a cavity to which used capsules are evacuated; and a collection receptacle in the cavity of the housing. The receptacle has an opening for receiving the evacuated used capsules and collecting the capsules. The receptacle has a reception orientation in which the receptacle is arranged to be filled with capsules up to a maximum level of fill in the cavity which extends above the opening of the receptacle in the reception orientation of the receptacle. The receptacle being tiltable or pivotable in the cavity into a removal orientation for allowing removal of the collection receptacle filled with capsules from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Peter Möri
  • Patent number: 8616397
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly (10) for disposing of one or more of fluid pharmaceutical waste and solid pharmaceutical waste includes a first waste receiver (614) and a receiver retainer (16). The first waste receiver (614) includes a first receiver body (621) having a first body access (621BA). Additionally, the pharmaceutical waste moves in a first direction (695C) toward the first body access (621BA) through which the pharmaceutical waste is directly received by the first receiver body (621). The receiver retainer (16) substantially encloses the first waste receiver (614). Further, the first waste receiver (614) is removable from the receiver retainer (16). Moreover, one of the first waste receiver (614) and the receiver retainer (16) includes a first waste guide (667A) that guides the pharmaceutical waste in a second direction (695A) away from the first body access (621BA) and in the first direction (695C) toward the first body access (621BA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cactus, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Maness
  • Patent number: 8573426
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly (10) includes a receiver body (19), a receiver guide (62), a fluid absorber (70) and a fluid distributor (64). The receiver body (19) receives fluid pharmaceutical waste. The receiver guide (62) guides the fluid pharmaceutical waste into the receiver body (19). The fluid absorber (70) is positioned within the receiver body (19), and is adapted to absorb at least a portion of the fluid pharmaceutical waste that is received by the receiver body (19). The fluid distributor (64) is coupled to the receiver guide (62), and extends at least partially into the fluid absorber (70) so that the fluid distributor (64) distributes the fluid pharmaceutical waste within the fluid absorber (70). The fluid distributor (64) includes a plurality of distributor apertures (278) that allow the fluid pharmaceutical waste to flow from the receiver guide (62) to the fluid absorber (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cactus, LLC
    Inventor: Dave A. Maness
  • Patent number: 8523051
    Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus includes a body portion extending between upper and lower ends. The apparatus includes a refuse container having bottom and side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining an open top and an interior area. A lid is releasably coupled to an upper edge of the side wall and configured to cover the container open top, the chute lower end being fixedly attached to the lid. An exhaust fan is operatively mounted to the lid in communication with the container interior area and configured to withdraw air from the container interior area when actuated. An input station is coupled to the chute upper end and configured to interface with the building wall, the input station having an access door movable between open and closed configurations selectively allowing and preventing access to the chute body portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Terence C. Clancy, Elizabeth W. Clancy
  • Patent number: 8393488
    Abstract: A method of medical waste disposal comprising (a) positioning an open end of a container relative to a hood assembly such that the hood assembly substantially covers the open end of the container; (b) depositing medical waste in the container through a passage defined by the hood assembly until the container is at least partially full; (c) placing a lid over the open end of the container such that the open end is substantially closed; (d) disposing of the container; (e) sterilizing the hood assembly; and (f) repeating step (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: John C. Japuntich, Mark Brian Finnestad, Anton M. Smudde
  • Patent number: 8342356
    Abstract: A document console has a plastic base and a body. The body includes a top and sides. A door is interconnected to the body and is movable between open and closed positions. The base, body and door define a document receiving interior. The plastic base defines a plurality of inner and outer members which receive the side therebetween and support the sides in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: All Source Security Container Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Craig Busch
  • Patent number: 8291543
    Abstract: An adapter apparatus to be installed on a pail to allow debris to be swept into the pail when the pail is resting on its side on a surface to be swept. A mounting section is included which is configured to be positioned over at least part of a lip of the pail and secured in place on the pail. A debris collector guide is attached to the mounting section, with the debris collector guide including a pair of sidewalls and a bottom section disposed intermediate the side walls, with the sidewalls and bottom section forming a debris collection region which permits debris to be swept into the debris section and into a pail on which the adapter apparatus is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy R. McCoy, Jesse R. Davison
  • Patent number: 8127960
    Abstract: A holding device for securing the top mounting section of a container is disclosed. The holding device the top mounting section of the container including a received section, the top mounting section in engagement with the receiving section, characterized in that the receiving section is pivotally sealed at the lower edge of the top mounting section and the circumferential edge of the top mounting section is a pivot point connecting with the receiving section, the receiving section has a funnel shape extended downward and the extension is a guiding hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hightlight Tech Corp.
    Inventor: Feng-Jiun Li
  • Patent number: 7980408
    Abstract: A kit for medical waste disposal comprising a plurality of containers; a hood assembly configured to substantially cover an open end of a respective one said containers, the hood assembly defining a passage through which medical waste can be passed to the open end of said container; and a plurality of lids, separate from the hood assembly, each configured to be placed over an open end of a respective container and to substantially close the open end of said container when said container is at least partially filled with medical waste; each of said containers being configured for separation from the hood assembly for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: John C. Japuntich, Mark Brian Finnestad, Anton M. Smudde
  • Patent number: 7931150
    Abstract: A cassette (3) for dispensing bags from an elongated tubing (32) comprising an annular receptacle (38) accommodating a length of tubing (32) in an accumulated condition. An annular opening at an upper end of the annular receptacle (38) is for dispensing the tubing (32). The annular receptacle (38) defines a central opening (34) through which a knotted end (40) of the tubing (32) passes to form a bag supported by the annular receptacle (38) with disposable objects passing through the circular central opening (34) to be received in the bag, and a clearance (41) only at a bottom of the central opening (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Refills Company Limited
    Inventor: Michel Morand
  • Patent number: 7918337
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical waste disposal device comprises an upper portion adapted for receiving pharmaceutical waste and a lower portion adapted for collecting the pharmaceutical waste, the lower portion being selectively and removably engagable with the upper portion. The upper portion includes a housing surrounding an internal rotating wheel and a lid slideably engaged with the housing. Additionally, the rotating wheel includes collection areas adapted for collecting pharmaceutical waste placed in the upper portion. The lid includes a lower pivoting flap adapted for contacting and rotating the wheel upon closing the lid to transfer the pharmaceutical waste to the lower portion. Further, the rotating wheel is sized and positioned within the housing in a manner to substantially prevent access to the pharmaceutical waste collected in the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Tamara Hitson
  • Patent number: 7419087
    Abstract: A collection device comprises a shell and an outlet structure. The shell has top and bottom ends, front and rear sides, and left and right sides. The front side defines a front opening, the bottom end defines a lower opening, and an interior cavity connects the front and lower openings. The outlet structure extends downwardly from the shell and has a top end defining an upper opening and a bottom end defining an exit. The outlet structure top end attaches to the shell bottom end and encircles the shell lower opening. An interior cavity connects the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit. The outlet structure interior cavity is in communication with the shell interior cavity to allow items to pass between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit. A method of discarding waste using a collection device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Starco, LLC
    Inventor: Loyd E. Owen
  • Patent number: 7237753
    Abstract: A debris collector is provided that includes a sleeve including a top opening and a bottom opening, the sleeve being operable to be attached to a bag adjacent to the bottom opening, the sleeve defining an interior. A support structure is connected to the sleeve, the support structure consisting of at least one support element, wherein the support element is manually operable to bring the sleeve in a generally upright position that permits debris to be readily inserted into the opening. The sleeve also includes a connecting means for connecting the bag to the sleeve. The sleeve is operable to funnel debris inserted in the top opening from the interior into the bag through the bottom opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Donna Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 7175070
    Abstract: The Modified Garbage Collector for Commercial Establishments fulfills the need for an apparatus that can be used to help users collect and dispose garbage in a hygienic way. Once the tray with contents to be disposed is placed inside the Modified Garbage Collector, a series of automated actions help dispose the contents of the tray and store the tray for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventors: Alton J. Brisport, Maxine J. Brisport
  • Patent number: 7171968
    Abstract: A receptacle for receiving and disposing of combustible articles. The assembly has a base member and a cooperating removable top member having a seal structure. A flared inlet extends from the top member and into the base member. Extinguished combustible articles, such as cigarettes, drop into a metal cavity disposed near the bottom of the base member. Securement devices are provided to safeguard the cigarette disposal assembly whereby the top member may be secured to the base member and the entire disposal assembly to a fixed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: John J. Olson
  • Patent number: 6915921
    Abstract: A lid for a dustpan/trash can comprising a generally circular top having a downwardly depending, circumferentially extending lip projecting from the outer periphery of said top, a trough like member attached to the lip of the top including a planar base positioning the top generally perpendicular to a surface on which the base is placed, said trough section having an upwardly inclined ramp, an elongated straight edge so that waste material may be scooped into the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: George Mensch
  • Patent number: 6783003
    Abstract: A needle holder has a variety of features that make it an optimal device for safe storage and disposal of hypodermic needles. The needle holder of the present invention includes at least one hypodermic needle retainer for engaging and keeping a hypodermic needle. Further, the needle holder includes a receptacle that may accommodate surgical needles or other small sharps or biologically contaminated articles. The needle holder may be easily and conveniently employed in a variety of settings. Alternative embodiments will accommodate double-ended hypodermic needles, and will also accommodate larger versions of hypodermic needles such as thoracic, cardiac, or spinal needles, and which has additional support provision including hook arms and an adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Kendell Simm, Dale Emis
  • Patent number: 6772903
    Abstract: A trash-receiving shopping bag device for allowing the user to reuse the plastic bags received while shopping at retail stores. The trash-receiving shopping bag device includes a container having bottom and side walls, and also having an open top; and also includes a lid being hingedly attached to the container; and further includes a handle being attached to the lid; and also includes a plurality of shopping bag support members being attached to the side walls and being spaced above the bottom wall inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Riggins, Tina M. Riggins, Graeme Riggins
  • Patent number: 6739114
    Abstract: A feminine hygiene disposal unit for sanitary receipt and disposal of used sanitary products. The unit has a disposal bag dispenser, at least one disposal bag, a receptacle, and a liner for the receptacle. This liner having a lid flap having an opening therethrough, this lid flap being supported through use of a pair of sandwiching flanges for sandwiching the lid flap in a generally horizontal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Kristin M. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6702135
    Abstract: The invention is a universal dumpster adapted for use with both conventional front loading and roll-off refuse collection trucks. A universal dumpster according to this invention includes a floor, a pair of side walls, and a pair of end walls. The floor, side walls and end walls together define an interior compartment for collecting and containing solid waste. Sleeves rotatably mounted to the side walls engage the lifting arms of a front loading truck. At least one of the end walls includes a door that is movable between a first fully closed position and a second fully opened position for depositing solid waste into the dumpster and discharging the solid waste from the dumpster. The rotatable sleeves reduce the forces exerted on the lifting arms of the front loading truck. Accordingly, the capacity of the dumpster may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Nathan L. Pickler
  • Publication number: 20030230579
    Abstract: The present invention is a composite trash container that includes a container body defining a trash chamber and an opening that provides access to the trash chamber; a support mounted to the container body adjacent the opening, the support having a flange extending therefrom that is configured for rotational mounting a tubing cassette above the trash chamber, wherein the support encloses less than all of the opening to the trash chamber so that trash can be passed through the opening and into the trash chamber; a tubing cassette rotationally mounted to the flange of the support; and a tube sealing means for forming trash packets from tubing that is dispensed from the tubing cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Richard S. Chomik, Mark Yoho
  • Patent number: 6474472
    Abstract: A sharps bagging apparatus has an access member with one or more conforming openings which conform to the profile of a retracted medical device to allow bagging collected retracted medical devices with a satisfactory degree of assurance that all or virtually all the devices are in the safe retracted condition. The access member is used with a collapsible disposal bag which may removably fill a disposal container or in one embodiment be fixedly secured to the access member. The access member is adapted to fit plastic or wire containers removably or lockedly. Sloping sides in the access member create a centering well which tends to center a retracted device and may include a triggering wall which can activate the retraction mechanism of an unretracted device. When the access member is provided with an attached collapsible bag, they can be stacked for economical transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Retractable Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6422410
    Abstract: A refuse container (1) having a dome-like head (3) and an introduction opening (4) which is formed in the dome and under which a hopper section (10) is located as a refuse-introduction slope, the hopper opening (11) of which is directed toward an inner bin (14), which is disposed under the head (3), and also having an outer container (2) which accommodates the inner bin (14). The outer container (2) widens in the direction of the head (3), with the formation of an inner introduction slope (S), and in the base region (21) of the inner bin (14), the outer container (2) is adapted to the outer dimensions of the inner bin (14), the inserted inner bin (14) overlapping (U), with its upper border (13), a collar (12) of the hopper section (10), the collar projecting into the interior (15) of the inner bin (14). The inner bin (14) is thus supported in the outer bin (2) with plug-in guidance and positional centering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Westermann KG
    Inventor: Egbert Neuhaus
  • Publication number: 20020008107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refuse container (1) having a dome-like head (3) and an introduction opening (4) which is formed in the dome and under which a hopper section (10) is located as a refuse-introduction slope, the hopper opening (11) of which is directed toward an inner bin (14), which is disposed under the head (3), and also having an outer container (2) which accommodates the inner bin (14), and proposes, in order to achieve a functionally advantageous solution, that the outer container (2) widens in the direction of the head (3), with the formation of an inner introduction slope (S), and that, in the base region (21) of the inner bin (14), the outer container (2) is adapted to the outer dimensions of the inner bin (14), the inserted inner bin (14) overlapping (U), with its upper border (13), a collar (12) of the hopper section (10), this collar projecting into the interior (15) of the inner bin (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Egbert Neuhaus
  • Patent number: 6318588
    Abstract: A garden debris container for easy collection of garden debris. The garden debris container includes a housing. The housing has a bottom wall. A peripheral wall is coupled to and extends away from the bottom wall. The peripheral wall has free edge. A flange is coupled to the free edge of the peripheral wall. The flange extends in a direction generally away from the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Lynn Lichtenwalner
  • Patent number: 6296132
    Abstract: The invention is a universal dumpster adapted for use with both conventional front loading and conventional roll-off refuse collection trucks. A universal dumpster according to this invention includes a floor, a pair of side walls, and a pair of end walls. The floor, side walls and end walls together define an interior compartment for collecting and containing solid waste. A sleeve is fixed to each side wall to engage the pickup arm of a conventional front loading refuse collection vehicle. At least one of the end walls of the dumpster includes at least one door which is movable between a first fully closed position and a second fully opened position which exposes an opening through the end wall for depositing solid waste into the dumpster and discharging the solid waste from the dumpster. When the door of the end wall is in the fully opened position, a discharge chute is formed f6r guiding the solid waste out of the interior compartment of the dumpster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Nathan L. Pickler
  • Patent number: 6176388
    Abstract: A combination litter container with multiple door/panels 18 each having a display recessed portion 20 between its vertical walls. The poster display device 10 is made of a flexible clear material with tabs 40 that can be inserted into interlocking slotted openings 22 which have a retaining hook 42 internal to said container walls. The bending of said poster display device 10 is such that it both retains the device in position and reduces the glare of direct sun light reflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: John Mitchell Orndorff