Trash can with twist-lock lid

Abstract

A trash can with a twist-lock lid. The trash can includes a generally cylindrical container having a bottom, an upper rim, and a sidewall between the bottom and the upper rim. The trash can also has a lid with a skirt that fits over the top of the sidewall. The container defines at least one locking protrusion proximate the rim, the locking protrusion having an elongated portion along a part of the rim, a stop portion extending downwardly from one end of the elongated portion toward the container bottom a first distance, and a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance, the elongated portion having a length between the stop portion and the retention portion. The lid defines an elongated, inwardly-facing projection having a length no greater than the length of the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion, the projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and engaged with the container's locking protrusion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/652,709, filed on Feb. 14, 2005.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to trash can with a locking lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Locking lids for trash cans help to secure trash against animal intrusion. Many locking lid designs are complex to manufacture and relatively difficult to use. It would therefore be desirable to develop a locking trash can in which the lid was easier to manufacture and use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a twist-locking trash can lid that locks easily and securely, yet is simple to use.

This invention features a trash can with a locking lid. The lid is locked by placing the lid on the container and turning the lid to engage locking features at the top of the container and on the skirt of the lid. The container defines at least one locking protrusion at its upper end near the rim. The locking protrusion has an elongated portion that is essentially parallel to the rim, and a stop portion that extends downwardly from one end of the elongated portion. The locking protrusion may also include a retention portion that extends downwardly only a short distance from the other end of the elongated portion. The lid defines near the bottom of the skirt an elongated, inwardly-facing locking projection. This locking projection preferably has a length no greater than the length of the elongated portion of the locking protrusion on the container. The locking projection on the lid is adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and turned to engage with the container's locking protrusion. The stop portion of the locking protrusion defines an end point for this twist-locking action. An end point could be accomplished in different manners. For example, an interference-type fit could be created in which the two were jammed together as the lid was twisted relative to the container. This could be accomplished by angling the elongated portion and the locking projection toward one another such that they contacted each other as the one was engaged under the other. The retention portion of the locking protrusion creates a small interfering bump that the lid locking projection must be forced by, to create a more positive locking action, and also acts to inhibit the accidental removal of the lid due to a simple accidental gentle turn in the opposite direction.

In one embodiment, the trash can includes a generally cylindrical container having a bottom, an upper rim, and a sidewall between the bottom and the upper rim. There is a lid having a skirt that fits over the top of the sidewall. The container defines at least one locking protrusion proximate the rim, the locking protrusion having an elongated portion along a part of the rim, a stop portion extending downwardly from one end of the elongated portion toward the container bottom a first distance, and a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance, the elongated portion having a length between the stop portion and the retention portion. The lid defines an elongated, inwardly-facing projection having a length no greater than the length of the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion, the projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and engaged with the container's locking protrusion to lock the lid on the container.

The locking protrusion may further comprise a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance. The elongated portion may have a length between the stop portion and the retention portion, wherein the lid inwardly-facing projection has a length no greater than the length of the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion. When the lid is engaged on the container, the inwardly-facing projection may be located underneath the elongated portion of the locking protrusion and between the stop portion and the retention portion of the locking protrusion.

The elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection may be essentially parallel to one another. The elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection may be essentially parallel to the rim. The elongated portion may be essentially parallel to the rim and the stop portion may be transverse (e.g. perpendicular) to the elongated portion. The retention portion may also be transverse (e.g. perpendicular) to the elongated portion. The end of the retention portion may be at an angle to the elongated portion.

The trash can may have two locking protrusions located on opposite sides of the container. The trash can may further include at least one additional locking feature, each such locking feature comprising an elongated container projection on the container proximate the rim, and a mating elongated lid projection on the lid, the lid projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the container projection when the lid is locked on the container. The trash can may have two diametrically-opposed locking protrusions and two diametrically-opposed container projections, spaced essentially equally around the circumference of the container. The container projection and the lid projection may be essentially parallel to one another.

The trash can may also have a pair of wheels at the bottom of the container, a top-facing handle in the lid that is adapted to allow the lid to be twisted relative to the container, and a handle projecting from the container near the top that allows a user to maneuver the trash can.

Featured in another embodiment is a trash can with a twist-lock lid, comprising a generally cylindrical container having a bottom, an upper rim, and a sidewall between the bottom and the upper rim. The trash can also has a lid with a skirt that fits over the top of the sidewall. The container defines at least two locking protrusions spaced around and proximate the rim, the locking protrusions each comprising an elongated portion along a part of the rim, a stop portion extending downwardly from one end of the elongated portion toward the container bottom a first distance, and a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance. The lid defines at least two spaced, elongated, inwardly-facing projections, the projections adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of a container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and engaged with the container's locking protrusions to lock the lid on the container, wherein when the lid is locked on the container, each inwardly-facing projection is located underneath the elongated portion of the locking protrusion and between the stop portion and the retention portion of the locking protrusion, and wherein the elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection are essentially parallel to the rim, the elongated portion is essentially parallel to the rim, and the stop portion and the retention portion are transverse to the elongated portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the inventive can with the lid lifted off of the container to show the various features of the twist-locking structure of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a detailed, more schematic view of the engaged locking features on the container and lid of FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view through the upper portion of the container and the lower portion of the skirt of the lid of FIGS. 1A and 1B, with the two engaged in the lid-locking position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Trash can 10 according to this invention comprises generally cylindrical container 12 that has a bottom, a circular upper rim 20, and sidewall 16 between the bottom and upper rim. Circular lid 14 has a skirt 22 that fits over the top of sidewall 16. Top sidewall portion 25 has a larger diameter than the rest of the container, at least as large as that of skirt 22, so that it acts as a stop for lid 14 when the lid is placed onto container 12. A pair of wheels 17 allow the container to be rolled by the user grasping handle 19 and tilting the container so that it rests on wheels 17.

Container 12 defines at least one, and preferably two, diametrically opposed locking protrusions, only one of which, labeled number 30, is visible in FIG. 1A. Locking protrusion 30 (see FIG. 1B) comprises an elongated portion 32 that is located proximate to rim 20. Portion 32 is preferably essentially parallel to the container's rim, although that is not a limitation of the invention, as it could also be angled slightly downward so that the lid is pulled down onto the container as the lid is engaged with the locking protrusions on the container. Downwardly-extending stop portion 34 is preferably included to define a positive stop for the twist-locking motion, and is preferably at least about as long as the height of the locking projection in the lid, which is described below. Locking protrusion 30 may further comprise retention portion 36 at the other end of elongated portion 32 and extending downwardly only a fraction of the distance of the extent of stop portion 34. As shown in the drawings, portion 36 preferably has a lower face that is angled slightly downwardly to accomplish a short ramp along which the top of the lid locking projection rides as the lid locking projection is engaged with the container locking protrusion. This shape also creates a relatively short stop member which the locking projection in the lid will contact if the lid is turned in the direction by which it is removed from the container. This feature inhibits inadvertent removal of the lid from the container.

The lid is shown in the locked position in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1B and the cross-section of FIG. 2. Lid locking projection 40 preferably has a length that is slightly less than the length of elongated portion 32 of the container locking protrusion 30. This creates a natural seated position of the lid with projection 40 nestled under and proximate elongated portion 32, between stop portion 34 and retention portion 36. This is not a limitation, though, as the lid locking projection could be longer, particularly if one or both of stop portion 34 and retention portion 36 are not included, as the additional length would provide more circumferential distance along which the lid could be locked to the container. In this case, if the elongated portion was angled down, the interference between the two would create a natural stop position without the need for portion 34.

To lock the lid on the container, the user places the lid such that the lid projection 40 is just to the left of container protrusion 30. The lid is then turned counter clockwise (integral handle member 15 is included to provide for this twisting motion) until the leading edge of projection 40 contacts stop portion 34. The design could just as easily be created as the mirror image so that the locking is accomplished by a clockwise turn of the lid, which is probably more intuitive for users, as most container lids are engaged by turning clockwise. Also, as retention portion 36 causes a slight deformation of lid projection 40 and thus requires a bit more force on the user's part. The user will then naturally feel the point at which lid projection 40 fully passes retention portion 36 and seats underneath elongated portion 32 of container locking protrusion 30.

The two diametrically opposed mating locking structures (only one shown in the drawings) accomplish a positive locking of the lid on the container. Optionally, a second pair of locking features may be included at locations spaced at 90 degrees from the locations of the locking structures described above; thus one locking feature every ninety degrees along the circumference. These are shown in FIG. 1 only, and comprise elongated container projection 50 that is similar to elongated portion 32 (but without portions 34 or 36), and matching elongated lid projection 52. These are designed such that the upper portion of projection 52 rests against or just below the lower portion of projection 50 when the lid is turned into the locking position. These help to inhibit the lid from being lifted off of the container while in the locking position, and are thus an optional but useful additional feature.

Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not others, this is for convenience only as some feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention.

Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims.

Claims

1. A trash can with a twist-lock lid, comprising:

a generally cylindrical container having a bottom, an upper rim, and a sidewall between the bottom and the upper rim;

a lid having a skirt that fits over the top of the sidewall;

the container defining at least one locking protrusion proximate the rim, the locking protrusion comprising an elongated portion along a part of the rim, and a stop portion extending downwardly from one end of the elongated portion toward the container bottom a first distance; and

the lid defining an elongated, inwardly-facing projection, the projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and engaged with the container's locking protrusion to lock the lid on the container.

2. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 1 wherein the locking protrusion further comprises a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance.

3. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 2, wherein the elongated portion has a length between the stop portion and the retention portion.

4. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 3 wherein the lid inwardly-facing projection has a length no greater than the length of the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion.

5. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 4 wherein when the lid is locked on the container, the inwardly-facing projection is located underneath the elongated portion of the locking protrusion and between the stop portion and the retention portion of the locking protrusion.

6. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 1 wherein the elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection are essentially parallel to one another when they are engaged.

7. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 1 wherein the elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection are essentially parallel to the rim when they are engaged.

8. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 2 wherein the elongated portion is essentially parallel to the rim and the stop portion is transverse to the elongated portion.

9. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 8 wherein the retention portion is transverse to the elongated portion.

10. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 2 wherein the end of the retention portion is at an angle to the elongated portion.

11. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 1 comprising two locking protrusions located on opposite sides of the container.

12. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional locking feature, each comprising an elongated container projection on the container proximate the rim, and a mating elongated lid projection on the lid, the lid projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the container projection when the lid is locked on the container.

13. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 12 comprising two diametrically-opposed locking protrusions and two diametrically-opposed container projections, spaced essentially equally around the circumference of the container.

14. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 12 wherein the container projection and the lid projection are essentially parallel to one another.

15. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 1 further comprising a pair of wheels at the bottom of the container.

16. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises a top-facing handle adapted to allow the lid to be twisted relative to the container.

17. The trash can with a twist-lock lid of claim 1 further comprising a user grip handle projecting from the container near the top.

18. A trash can with a twist-lock lid, comprising:

a generally cylindrical container having a bottom, an upper rim, and a sidewall between the bottom and the upper rim;

a lid having a skirt that fits over the top of the sidewall;

the container defining at least one locking protrusion proximate the rim, the locking protrusion comprising an elongated portion along a part of the rim, a stop portion extending downwardly from one end of the elongated portion toward the container bottom a first distance, and a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance; and

the lid defining an elongated, inwardly-facing projection, the projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and engaged with the container's locking protrusion to lock the lid on the container, wherein when the lid is locked on the container, the inwardly-facing projection is located underneath the elongated portion of the locking protrusion and between the stop portion and the retention portion of the locking protrusion;

wherein the elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection are essentially parallel to the rim, and the stop portion and the retention portion are transverse to the elongated portion.