Waste container for vehicles and the like
A waste container, such as for a van or SUV, is made from decorative or color-coordinating fabric to form a cylindrical container or shell. The shell includes a mechanism for holding a standard-sized plastic bag in place within the shell so that the plastic bag is supported and partially hidden from view. The shell also includes attachment devices for securing the waste container to the interior of a vehicle. The plastic bag is easily removed from the shell for disposal, and a fresh bag is easily installed.
The present invention relates generally to waste containers and more particularly to waste containers adapted for use in a variety of locations, including home, office and motor vehicles. A flexible shell includes a unique mechanism that maintains the shell in an open state, as well as accepting and retaining a standard-sized plastic refuse bag. When full, the refuse bag is easily removed and discarded, and a new bag is then installed. The shell may include straps or hooks to permit an installation with convenient access for use in SUVs, cars, vans, recreational vehicles (RVs), or boats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSmall waste containers, such as automobile “litter bags,” often prove unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. In many cases, a retail store plastic bag serves as the container that is used to collect trash. In addition to the overall unattractiveness of the bag, which must be placed in an easily seen location to be available when needed, it is often difficult to find a location that is convenient for use, does not interfere with or block the vehicle's controls, and allows the bag to remain open for easy deposit of trash. Plastic bags have a tendency to slump at their openings, therefore making it difficult to insert trash or garbage, to prevent trash from falling out of the bag, and to determine when the bag is full and ready to be discarded. The lack of a freestanding ability in such a bag is even more unsatisfactory in a home or office.
More permanent litter bags or trash containers are available, but residue is often left in the bag or container after it is emptied, necessitating periodically washing or otherwise cleaning of the bag or container. In addition to often not hanging properly or being inconveniently located in a vehicle environment, such bags are typically limited in size, and therefore require frequent emptying and/or cleaning.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a waste container that has an attractive appearance, is easily mounted or positioned in a variety of different locations, and is both convenient to use and to clean.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a waste container that uses disposable liner bags that are held securely in place during use, but are easily removable for replacement.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a waste container that is adaptable for use with a variety of vehicles through the use of an interchangeable mounting structure.
Further objects, embodiments, forms, benefits, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from the description, drawings, and claims provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
For the purposes of promoting understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the present invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Container 10 is configured to receive and hold a liner 14, which may be an easily obtainable conventional plastic garbage bag having a standard size, e.g., 4 gallons, for receiving trash and refuse. Liner 14 is firmly held in position, yet is easily removed and replaced when full, as will be explained in more detail below. Also shown in
Slot 34 therefore extends around the complete circumference of the top edge of container 10. The circumference of the top of container 10 is chosen to accommodate a standard-sized plastic waste bag, e.g., 4 gallon size, that is easily found and purchased in virtually any grocery or discount department store. As can be seen in
Referring to
The partially assembled container 10 is then again turned inside-out to reveal the correct side of tube 40 and bottom 46 with bottom assembly 52 neatly attached to side assembly 50, as shown in
Further referring to
Once tube 40 and ring 20 are firmly attached to each other, ring 20 is pushed down inside ring 22 until the top edges of rings 20 and 22 are even or flush, forming a pocket or slot 34 between rings 20 and 22, as can be seen in
As previously described, a variety of hanger or attachment mechanisms may be used with container 10 in order to fit a variety of vehicles.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the inventions disclosed are desired to be protected. The articles “a”, “an”, “said” and “the” are not limited to a singular element, and include one or more such elements.
Claims
1. A waste container comprising:
- a cylindrical member having first and second ends;
- a first flexible, resilient band circumferentially disposed at said first end;
- a second band circumferentially disposed at said first end adjacent to and concentrically positioned with respect to said first band to form a circumferential slot between said first and second bands, said slot being dimensioned to receive and frictionally maintain a flexible liner in an open configuration.
2. The waste container described in claim 1, further comprising a pair of concentrically disposed bands and a bottom member, said bands being disposed at said second end for capturing said second end of said cylindrical member and said bottom member to provide a closure of said second end.
3. The waste container described in claim 1, wherein said flexible liner comprises a plastic bag.
4. The waste container described in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member is comprised of fabric.
5. The waste container described in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member is comprised of vinyl.
6. The waste container described in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member is comprised of leather.
7. The waste container described in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member is comprised of plastic.
8. The waste container described in claim 1, further comprising attachment means for supporting and maintaining the position of said waste container in a location where said waste container is used.
9. The waste container described in claim 8, wherein said attachment means are circumferentially disposed on said cylindrical member.
10. The waste container described in claim 9, wherein said attachment means are located at points that are substantially diametrically opposed on said cylindrical member.
11. The waste container described in claim 8, wherein said attachment means comprises an elastic band.
12. The waste container described in claim 8, wherein said attachment means comprises at least one wire loop.
13. The waste container described in claim 8, wherein said attachment means comprises at least one hook.
14. The waste container described in claim 24, further comprising at least one support member extending substantially between said first and second ends of said cylindrical member.
15. A method for forming a waste container, comprising the steps of:
- forming a cylindrical member having first and second open ends;
- providing a first pair of annular bands;
- positioning said first open end of said cylindrical member with respect to said first pair of bands such that said first open end forms a slot between said bands;
- providing a second pair of annular bands and a bottom member;
- positioning said second open end of said cylindrical member with respect to said second pair of bands and said bottom member such that said second open end cooperates with said second pair of bands and said bottom member to form a closed end of said cylindrical member; and
- inserting the open end of a flexible liner into said slot such that said liner is held in an open position and substantially completely contained within said cylindrical member.
16. A waste container for a vehicle comprising:
- a flexible cylindrical member having first and second ends;
- a bottom member;
- a first pair of flexible, resilient concentrically positioned bands circumferentially disposed at said first end such that said first pair of bands form a circumferential slot, said slot being dimensioned to receive and frictionally maintain a flexible liner in an open configuration;
- a second pair of flexible, resilient concentrically positioned bands circumferentially disposed at said second end and cooperating with said bottom member to form a closure at said second end;
- attachment means disposed adjacent to said first end for cooperating with said vehicle to substantially maintain said waste container in a fixed position during use.
17. A waste container comprising:
- a cylindrical member formed of decorative flexible material and having first and second open ends;
- a bottom member formed of said decorative flexible material;
- first and second flexible, resilient concentric bands circumferentially disposed at said first end, said first and second bands fixedly capturing said first end of said cylindrical member therebetween;
- third and fourth flexible, resilient concentric bands circumferentially disposed at said second end and cooperating with said bottom member and said second end of said cylindrical member to form a closure at said second end;
- a fifth flexible, resilient band circumferentially fixedly disposed within said cylindrical member such that said first and second bands cooperate with said fifth band to form a circumferential pocket of said decorative flexible material that is configured to receive and frictionally maintain a flexible liner in an open position within said cylindrical member.
18. The waste container described in claim 17, further comprising at least one elongated support member fixedly disposed between said first and second ends of said cylindrical member such that said waste container is freestanding.
19. The waste container described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second bands comprise a tubular shape and extends substantially between said first and second ends.
20. The waste container described in claim 14, wherein said support member comprises a rectangular shape.
21. The waste container described in claim 14, wherein said support member comprises a tubular shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 12, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 12, 2006
Inventor: Michael Barber (Williams, IN)
Application Number: 11/104,376
International Classification: B65D 25/14 (20060101);