Collapsing garbage can

Abstract

The invention is a collapsing garbage can which further comprises a feeder for garbage bags. Several novel mechanisms for collapsing the can are shown. The mechanisms allow the at least certain sections of the can to be made of absorbent or recyclable materials (paper and cardboard) while the base is made of a water resistant material so it may be used on a variety of surfaces. The absorbent nature of the materials from which the upper parts may be made allow for the can to be used as a deodorizing device. A unique method of dispensing garbage bags which is associated with the collapsing nature of the can allows for easy use of

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This patent is a Continuation In Part of Provisional Patent serial No. 60/264,221 filed Jan. 25, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The invention pertains to garbage cans. The invention pertains to collapsible garbage cans.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] Garbage cans containing trash bags are known in the art. Certain forms of spring loaded collapsing garbage cans are also known in the art.

GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention is a collapsing garbage can which further comprises a feeder for garbage bags and can be made of partially recyclable materials for easy disposal and limited reuse.

[0007] In many situations, particularly in a mobile environment it is important to have garbage cans which easily store. Typically this is done by stacking garbage cans.

[0008] The present invention is designed to improve on that by providing a garbage can which is collapsible. In order to allow the garbage can to have a sufficient strength it can also be raised in a collapsible frame which can also secure the garbage can when the remainder of the garbage can is collapsed as described in more detail below.

[0009] Also a garbage can is taught which collapses to make access to a roll of garbage bags.

[0010] Also, a can made with partially disposable and absorbent surfaces (paper or cardboard) is taught wherein those surfaces are coated with a scent to allow the smell to be pumped into the air when the can is collapsed and to allow those scents to disperse in the air otherwise. The can may be shrink wrapped when sold to hold in the smell.

[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide a garbage can which can collapse to be out of the way and in order to allow a garbage bag to be loaded from the bottom more easily and then raised to a full size or different size garbage can. The elevation of the bags one roller prevents them from being as affected by leaks.

[0012] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become better understood hereinafter from a consideration of the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, and in which like numerals correspond to parts throughout the several views of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a transparent line view collapsing garbage can comprising concentric funnel shaped barrels.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a detail of punch out.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a detail of a top punch out section in a slot.

[0018] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment with securing magnets.

[0019] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 7 shows a punch out support embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 8 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 9 shows an accordion style frame.

[0023] FIG. 10 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

[0024] FIG. 11 shows a top view square cardboard type embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 12 shows a side cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

[0026] FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of a two part stacked version.

[0027] FIG. 14 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

[0028] FIG. 15 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 folded for shipping.

[0029] FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view of an alternative accordion style can with a left side locking mechanism different from the right side locking mechanism is the collapsed form.

[0030] FIG. 17 shows the embodiment of FIG. 16 raised.

[0031] FIG. 18 shows a side view of the right side locking mechanism.

[0032] FIG. 19 shows the four sides of the bag shown in FIG. 16 folded out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0033] As can best be seen by reference to FIG. 1, the invention comprises at least two, but here, three sections top section 1, middle section 2 and bottom section 3; each one slidable within the other on a wheel carriage 4 having at least one wheel 5. A handle 19 may be added to the top section 1 allow the invention to be moved and the wheel cart be incorporated into the permanent frame in the fashion discussed hereinafter. The wheels are held on a wheel axle 4a.

[0034] The bottom section 3 is permanently attached to the wheel cart 4. The middle section, 2 slides out of the first section to a desired height and then is locked in place by a locking means which may be a frictional contact as described in more detail.

[0035] The locking, means in FIG. 1 is an elastic point of contact between elastic punch outs 23 and 25. Cooperating, hook and loop fasteners or pins which slide between sections 1, 2 and 3 may be used. Even magnets 9 and 10 could serve to lock the two locations together.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a plurality of punch out sections 23 each having a top resting face 24. There are also punch out sections 25 each having a bottom resting face 26. The faces 24 and contact one another.

[0037] These punch outs 23 and 25 may either fold out twist or be flexible so that they allow the top and middle sections 1 and 2 to slide into the bottom sections. In FIG. 1, the top punch outs 23 move within slots. The top punch out section 23 moves within a groove 29 within the middle section 2 and when fully raised, the top section 1 is twisted over to bottom punch out 25. The stop wall 30 prevents over turning the cans when the top punch out 23 is over and can rest on the bottom punch out 25. To lower the top section relative to the bottom section, the user need only untwist the top punch 23 so it can move back down the grooves 29.

[0038] These punch outs 23 and 25 can be made from the box itself as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in this figure, box sections 31 partially cut out from space 32 of the box and sections 33 cut out from space 34 of the box are joined by rivet 35 (or other joining means such as glue) to make one of the punch out section 25 (punch out 23 could be made the same way) which are partially punched out but still partially connected to the top, middle or bottom sections. This same technique may be used with related parts, tubes 64 and tube inserts 65, discussed later in the specification with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0039] By twisting and lowering sections 1 and 2, the sections may be lowered or raised to allow the user to lower the top and middle sections to load a garbage bag from a roll 13 or box 36.

[0040] For ease of drafting, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, magnets 9 on the top of the lower two sections 2 and 3 and cooperating oppositely polarized magnets 10 on the bottom of the top two sections 1 and 2 serve to hold the can up when it is lifted. If hook and loop fasteners were used, one side, 9 for example, would have hooks and the other side 10 would have loops.

[0041] The top section 1 and middle section 2 define openings 7 and 8 respectively, and the bottom section 3 has a floor 6 to support any garbage and to hold the garbage bag roll 13.

[0042] The top section slides out of the middle section and the middle section then slides out of the bottom section to the desired height of the garbage can. The can is locked in the manner described above and may be locked at differing levels as by magnets 9a shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen by reference to FIG. 1, the carriage 4 has wheels 5 mounted on an axle 4a.

[0043] As can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 1, 9 and 10 a spindle 11 on a spindle arms 12 may hold a roll of garbage bags 13. This arrangement could be replaced with a box of garbage bags 36 held on the bottom 6 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. One benefit of this arrangement over prior arrangements with garbage bags similarly placed is the ability to collapse the can to better feed and attach the garbage bags. Another benefit lies in partially or completely disposable cans as described below in more detail. FIG. 9 shows at least one hole 29a in top section 1 which receives at least one punch out 23a in a bottom section 3 to hold the top section 1 in the raised position. The box 36 may be water proofed so that the garbage bags are protected from leakage. In this way the garbage can may be collapsed, then a garbage bag still on the roll 111 installed over the top rim 25 of the top section 1 (shown in FIG. 1) and then the entire garbage can raised with the attached garbage bag 14 automatically carried upward to end in the raised location as shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] One alternative to having multiple sections as described above is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 has a top section 1 which utilized a garbage bag 14 (or a cloth bag) to form the body. As shown in FIG. 9, this could comprise a collapsing bag 14 held by telescoping arms 20 with locking arms 21 attached to pivots 22 on the top section 15 to allow the top section 15 to be fixed in a raised position or locking arms 21 may be disengaged to allow the can top section 1 to be lowered to be closer to the bottom section 3.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9 there may be one or more telescoping arms 37 which are shown. Pivots 38 may be locked in place with the locking arms 21 in a manner known in the art of telescoping arms. Pivots 39 on the outside allow collapsing movement when the locking arm 21 is removed.

[0046] The telescoping arms 37 may be used as a handle to pull the device to the desired location. The top section 1 receives clips 38 defining slots 39 which press the bag 14 against the top of the top section 1 to keep the bag 14 in place as it is raised.

[0047] The bottom section 3 has a floor 6 and the top section 1 is open.

[0048] There is a step 28 defined by the bottom 6 of bottom section 3 of the garbage can which allows for the user to hold the bottom section 3 down while the top section 1 is raised.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a handle 19 attached over the wheel 5. When the bottom section 3 is tilted towards the handle 19, the wheel 5 is against the floor, but the bottom 6 is partially or completely removed from the floor 71 on which the device rests.

[0050] As can best be seen by reference to FIG. 9 clips 38 having a groove 39 which is designed to fit tightly over the perimeter of the top section 1 and may be used to fix the bag 14 in place (whether a garbage bag from a roll, a linen bag or both). Four such clips 38 are shown in FIG. 11, but more can be used so that two or more may hold a permanent bag and two or more may be used to hold a garbage bag above the linen bag.

[0051] In one embodiment, this invention could be practiced using disposable materials, particularly cardboard or paper which is corrugated or otherwise reinforced in order to maintain its shape.

[0052] In such an embodiment one of the primary benefits would be that the top sections 1 and middle sections 2 could be made of less expensive normal cardboard, and the bottom section 3 could be made out of water impermeable material such as waxed cardboard, or, for a more durable container, it could be made out of a corrugated plastic material.

[0053] Similarly the bottom section 3 could be made out of cardboard on the exterior and coated with a water proof material at the very bottom and possibly on the inside. This prevents leaks from damaging the container.

[0054] The outer cardboard is preferably water resistant. The purpose of doing this would be to allow the garbage can to be placed on a wet surface, or to allow wet materials to leak into the garbage can bottom section 1.

[0055] In an embodiment made out of cardboard, it would be beneficial to provide that the overlapping areas be aligned so as to maintain the alignment of the garbage can itself.

[0056] In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 the invention is comprised of both paper/recyclable materials. The bottom section 3, is water resistant or non recyclable material. The top section 1 and middle section 2 are made of standard cardboard. While here the entire bottom section 3 is taught as being water resistant, it is possible that only the floor 6 and extended step 28 would be water resistant.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 it can be seen that the top section 1 and bottom section (there is no middle section 2) are held in alignment by the overlaps 40 of the cardboard top section 1 and the overlap 41 of the cardboard bottom section 3. This is important because first cardboard punch out 42 in the middle section 3 fits in to a receiving punch out 43 in the top section 1 to support the top section 1 when it is raised. Also, as shown here, a bottom punch out 44 may be used to support the bottom perimeter 72 of top section 1. The user may push in the receiving punch out 43 to release the punch out 42. The handle openings 45 formed by the punch outs 44 and 42 may be used to lift the can.

[0058] A disposable bag dispenser is therefore described for improved moisture, decay and insect resistance, comprising;

[0059] a) a first water treated section having a top end and a bottom end and wherein the bottom end is closer to the ground when erected;

[0060] b) a first untreated cellulose section having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end being fixed in place relative to the top end of the first treated section;

[0061] The purpose of having the bottom section 3 water resistant or made of water resistant material is in order to provide that the bottom layer will not be affected by moisture on the floor or from leakage from the garbage bag 14.

[0062] The treated bottom section 3 may form a container which would act as a water trap for the unit.

[0063] This invention may also be described as:

[0064] 1. A device for holding garbage comprised of a first section having an interior and exterior which are waterproof or water resistant materials having a bottom and four sides coming up from the bottom;

[0065] 2. A roll of garbage bags dispensable from the bottom of the said bottom section;

[0066] 3. A middle section telescopically fitting within the first section and for extending the height of the bottom section;

[0067] 4. A means for holding the position of the middle section relative to the bottom section in a raised position;

[0068] 5. A top section telescopically fitting within the middle section said top section for extending the height of the middle section; and

[0069] 6. a second holding means for holding the top section in the raised position relative to the middle section.

[0070] The invention may further be described as having at least the second and third sections constructed of recyclable material and more particularly corrugated paper products.

[0071] The invention may further be described by the materials of the bottom section which may include a waxed otherwise coated corrugated card board or paper type material or a corrugated plastisized material.

[0072] The top and smiddle sections may be further described as having outside diameters approximately the same as the inside diameter of the bottom section in which they fit for a frictional point of contact between the two sections when in the raised position in order to assist any other holding means in holding the raised sections 1 and 2 in place.

[0073] FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show the invention can be made in sections out of disposable materials so that it may be assembled from a packed position shown in FIG. 15. There is a bottom section 3 and a top section 1. In this embodiment the top section 1 fits within a chamber, chamber defined by the sloping walls 51 and 52 of the bottom chamber 3.

[0074] When the box is at the desired location, the top section 1 is removed from the bottom section 3 and inverted and opened after placing the garbage bag container 36 on the floor of the bottom section 3.

[0075] The corners of the top section allow for the four sides 47a-47d of the top section to pivot outward from a resting position shown as dotted lines 73 in FIG. 13 to the open position shown as 47b and 47a in FIG. 13 and these in turn are held in place by a bracket 49 as shown FIG. 13 and 14 which hold the four walls 47a through 47d of the top section 1 which has top pivoting comers 46a through 46d rest against the sloping sides 51, 52, 53 and 54 of the bottom section 3.

[0076] When a new garbage bag is to be inserted the user may either take off the bracket 49 and expand two of sections 47a-47d to reach through the gap formed between the two sections being opened or to lift the top section off.

[0077] It can best be seen in FIG. 13 that the bracket 49 has legs 49a which serve to secure the top of the two sides 47b and 47a as well as those not shown in FIG. 13, but can be seen in FIG. 14 which are 47c and 47d. Since the bracket 49 is a square as shown in FIG. 14, it serves to secure the entire part open.

[0078] It is possible that any one of the sides, in this case 47a, may have a bendable area 61 also shown in FIG. 14. The purpose of this is to allow the bracket 49 to be lifted off of the top section 1 so that it can then be folded down so that the user can reach in over that folded area in order to reach the box 36 in order to more easily load garbage bags.

[0079] The same bracket 49 can be used to secure the garbage bags 14 to the top of the top section 1.

[0080] The can may be made with partially disposable and absorbent surfaces (paper or cardboard) where those surfaces are coated with a aromatic scent to allow the smell to be pumped into the air when the can is collapsed and to allow those scents to disperse in the air otherwise. The can may be shrink wrapped when sold to hold in the smell. While the entire surface may be absorbent, when preferred, only the internal or external surface may be permeated with a scent.

[0081] FIGS. 16-18 show an accordion model wherein the outside walls are 58, 59, 60 and 62 folded along creases 57 to the upward or folded position. The shape of the box can vary, but square boxes with four walls sides 58, 59, 60 and 62 as shown in FIG. 19 would be preferable.

[0082] The four walls, 58, 59, 60 and 62 are attached to a bottom 27 with steps 28 as shown in FIG. 19 or without steps 28 if the sides are attached at the edges of the bottom 27. While these walls are shown as folded out in FIG. 19, FIGS. 16 and 17 show how these walls may fold in an accordion style fashion.

[0083] FIGS. 16-18 show two differing securing means for holding the walls in the raised position. Referring to FIG. 17, when the walls are raised, wall 58 is held up by interlocking tubes 64 and tube inserts 65. These can be shown prior to insertion in FIG. 16. The tubes are preferably elastically attached to the wall 58 at elastic attachment point 50. To allow for insertion and support the tube inserts 65 are preferably flexible and are flexibly attached to the wall 58 at elastic attachment point 70. These elastic attachment points 50 and 70 may be where the tubes and tube inserts are attached by the card-board or plastic of the wall themselves. In fact, the tubes and inserts may be partially cut out from the walls except at the attachment points. Alternatively, they may be mechanically attached with pins or glues.

[0084] FIG. 17 shows how wall 59 is held up by accordion style support walls 59a which fold at creases 63 and are held apart at creases 63 by locking clips 67 which fit into holes 68 within the accordion support wall 59a on either side of the creases 63.

[0085] From the disclosure hereinabove it can be seen that the supports disclosed for wall 58 can be used with or in place of the supports for wall 59 and that the supports disclosed for wall 59 can be used with or in place of the supports for wall 58.

[0086] FIG. 17 shows how the box 36 containing garbage bags may be put in place when the sides 58, 59, 60 and 62 are lowered as shown in FIG. 16 and may be reloaded as necessary by re-lowering the garbage can from the raised position shown in FIG. 17 to the lowered position shown in FIG. 16.

[0087] The garbage can bottom 27 can sealed to hold or keep out fluids. If fluids are retained, it is useful to have the garbage bag dispenser raised as is shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and 10.

[0088] As defined previously these punch outs may be replaced with other holding means such as clips 67 and the walls may be reinforced where the clips enter. In this embodiment the pins might be made of the same material that the disposable second layer is made out of in order to minimize the manufacturer costs.

[0089] Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment(s) herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1) I claim a collapsing garbage can for dispensing garbage bags from a roller or box comprising:

a bottom section comprising a top and a bottom an interior and an exterior said exterior along the bottom forming a base perimeter;

at least one top section comprising a top and a bottom an interior and an exterior and in juxtaposition relative to the bottom section so that the bottom of the top section may be moved between the bottom of the bottom section and the top of the bottom section;

a securing means for securing the position of the bottom of the top section relative to the top of the bottom section.

2. The garbage can of claim 1 wherein the bottom section comprises at the bottom a bag holding means for holding at least one garbage bag.

3. The garbage can of claim 2 wherein the holding means comprises a means for holding a plurality of garbage bags.

4. The garbage can of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises a frictional contact between the at least one top section and bottom section wherein said frictional contact is at least partially connected to the top section.

5. The garbage can of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises a hole in the top section receiving a punch out of the bottom section.

6. The garbage can of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises a hole in the bottom section receiving a punch out of the top section.

7. The garbage can of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises a punch out in the bottom section receiving a punch out in the top section.

8. The garbage can of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises a slot defined in the bottom section defining a top and a bottom having a floor and wall defined at the top of the groove and wherein the at least one top section bottom comprises a section extendable within the groove onto the floor.

9. The garbage can of claim 1 wherein:

(1) The bottom section is comprised of a water resistant material; and

(2) wherein the at least one top section is comprised a water absorbent material.

10. The garbage can of claim 9 wherein the at least one top section is comprised of paper.

11. The garbage can of claim 10 wherein the bottom section is comprised of paper with a waterproof coating over at least a portion of the exterior.

12. The garbage can of the claim 1 wherein the bottom section further comprises at least one base means extending outside the base perimeter of the at least bottom section for providing a location for the user to step to hold down the bottom section, while the at least one top section is raised.

13. The garbage can of claim 9 further comprising at least one handle at the top of the top section.

14. The garbage can of claim one wherein the securing means further comprises a punch out extending from a fixed location on the bottom section to a fixed position against a second punch out extending from a fixed location on the top section.

15. The invention of claim 1 wherein the at least one top section is expandable from a folded position to an unfolded position.

16. The invention of claim 1 wherein the top section is comprised of a plurality of walls and wherein at least one of the plurality of walls folds down to access the bottom section.

17. The invention of claim 1 wherein the at least one top section and bottom sections are formed of a plurality of walls wand wherein the at least one top section walls are joined at the bottom by a flexible crease to the top of the bottom section walls.

18. The invention of claim 1 further comprising at least one second top section comprising a top and a bottom an interior and an exterior and in juxtaposition relative to the top section so that the bottom of the at least one second top section may be moved between the bottom of the top section and the top of the at least one top.

19. A disposable garbage bag dispenser for improved moisture, decay and insect resistance, comprising;

a) a first water treated section having a top end and a bottom end and wherein the bottom end is closer to the ground when erected;

b) a first untreated cellulose section having a upper end and a lower end, said lower end being joinable to the top end of the first treated section.

20. A method for feeding garbage bags into a garbage can having a raised and lowered position, a base and a top and garbage bags in a dispenser attached to the base comprising the steps of collapsing the can to the lowered position, attaching a garbage bag to the can top and raising the can to the raised position.