Container with foot-activated lid

Abstract

A container with a foot-activated lid is described. An foot-activation mechanism for coupling a foot pedal to the lid includes a horizontal wire disposed horizontally across the bottom of the container, and a vertical wire disposed vertically along a side wall of the container. The foot pedal is mounted on the bottom of the container and pivots around a hinge located at a distance from the side wall. When the foot pedal is pressed down, the horizontal wire rotates around its main segment, and the first bent segment pushes the vertical wire upward. The upper end of the vertical wire is coupled to a pivoting portion of a lid mounting member and causes the lid to open when the vertical wire moves upward.

Description

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/732,490, filed Nov. 1, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a container with a foot-activated lid typically used as a trash container in households and other places.

2. Description of the Related Art

Containers with a foot-activated lid are widely used in households and other places such as hospitals, etc. as trash containers. They may be made of plastic or metal, and may have a variety of shapes including cylindrical and rectangular. In such a container, a foot pedal is typically provided near the bottom of the container, and an activation mechanism connects the foot pedal to the lid to open the lid when the foot pedal is pressed down. The lid typically closes under its own weight when the foot pedal is released.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a container with an improved foot-activation mechanism.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the descriptions that follow and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a container that includes a container body, a lid, a lid mounting member having a fixed portion attached to the container body and a pivoting portion attached to the lid, the pivoting portion capable of pivoting with respect to the fixed portion, a pedal partially disposed inside of the container body and passes through an opening near a bottom surface of the container body, a pedal mounting member disposed on the bottom surface of the container body, the pedal mounting member including a hinge for pivotally mounting the pedal thereto, the hinge being located at a distance from a side wall of the container body, and an activation mechanism. The activation mechanism includes a first wire having a main segment disposed horizontally across a bottom floor of the container body, a first and a second bent segment at each end of the main segment, the second bent segment disposed under the pedal, the first and second bent segments each being disposed at an angle with respect to the bottom floor of the container body, and the first wire being rotateable around the main segment; and a second wire having a main segment disposed vertically along a side wall of the container body, a lower end of the second wire being connected to the first bent segment of the horizontal wire, and an upper end of the second wire having a handle coupled to the pivoting portion of the lid mounting member.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken from above the open lid.

FIG. 2(a) illustrates the foot pedal of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the foot pedal and its mounting mechanism.

FIGS. 3(a)-(c) show the horizontal wire of the container of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4(a)-(b) show the vertical wire of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the lid in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken from above the open lid. FIG. 2(a) is a photograph of the container of FIG. 1 showing the foot pedal in more detail. The container includes a can (the container body) 10, a lid 14, and a foot pedal 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the activation mechanism that transmits the action of the foot pedal 13 to the lid 14 includes a first wire 11 and a second wire 12 disposed inside the can 10. The first wire 11 (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal wire) is disposed in a generally horizontal direction across the bottom of the can 10, and the second wire (hereinafter referred to as the vertical wire) is disposed in a generally vertical direction along the sidewall of the can 10 at a peripheral location generally opposite to the foot pedal 13.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), the foot pedal 13 is partially disposed inside of the can 10 (the part visible in FIG. 1) and partially outside of the can (see FIG. 2(a)) through a horizontal opening 10a near the bottom of the can 10. The pedal is attached to the bottom of the can by a foot pedal mounting member 13a, which includes a hinge 13b held by a number of snap holds. The mounting member allows the foot pedal to pivot around a horizontal axis E (see FIG. 1) as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 2(b). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(b), the axis E is located at a distance from the periphery (side wall) of the can. In a preferred embodiment, the distance is approximately 1 inch. Because the axis E is located inside the can rather than close to the side wall as in some conventional designs, it forms a longer leverage (from the point where the force is applied to the axis E), providing optimum angular travel and force for actuation. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge 13b is approximately 3 ⅛″ long. The single hinge, compared to two separate small hinge points at the ends of the mounting member used in some conventional designs, ensures proper alignment of the food pedal for smooth and accurate action. Further, the mounting member 13a is located at the base (bottom) of the can, instead of on the wall of the can as in some conventional designs. This design provides optimum grounding for stability.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), the foot pedal has a double-angled cross-sectional shape when viewed along the direction of the pivoting axis E. This profile provides a leveled portion for the user's foot and has an anti toe slip effect. During actuation, the angled profile also provides a pull instead of a push action, so that the can would not slip backwards away from the user's foot.

The horizontal wire 11 has three segments: a main segment 11a which is straight, a first bent segment 11b, and a second bent segment 11c (not visible in FIG. 1). When assembled, the first bent segment 11b connects to the vertical wire 12, and the second bent segment 11c extends under the foot pedal 13 through the opening 10a to the outside of the can 10 (see FIG. 2).

The shape of the horizontal wire 11 is illustrated in FIGS. 3(a)-3(c). FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view; FIG. 3(b) is viewed along a direction parallel to the main segment 11a, and FIG. 3(c) is viewed in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the main segment 11a and the first bent segment 11b. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the first bent segment 11b and the second bent segment 11c are bent in a way such that the angle between a plane formed by the main segment 11a and the first bent segment 11b and a plane formed by the main segment 11a and the second bent segment 11c is 28°. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(c), the angle between the main segment 11a and the first bent segment 11b is 80°, and the angle between the main segment 11a and the second bent segment 11c is 120°. The wire forms a loop 11d at the end of the first bent segment 11b, and a hook 11e at the end of the second bent segment 11c. The loop 11d lies in a plane perpendicular to the plane formed by the main segment 11a and the first bent segment 11b (see FIG. 3(c)). The hook 11e lies in the plane formed by the main segment 11a and the second bent segment 11c (see FIG. 3(b)).

The shape of the vertical wire 12 is shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). The vertical wire 12 has a main segment 12a, an upper segment 12b, a hook 12c at the lower end of the main segment, and a short handle 12d at the top of the upper segment. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the main segment 12a, the upper segment 12b and the hook 12c lie in the same plane and the upper segment 12b is bent by 15° with respect to the main segment 12a. The handle 12d is perpendicular to the plane formed by segments 12a, and 12b. When assembled, the hook 12c passes through the loop 11d of the horizontal wire 11 and is thus coupled to the horizontal wire, and the bent upper segment 12b passes to the outside of the can 10 through a vertical slit 10b near the top of the can (see FIG. 1). The slit 10b has a width slightly larger than the diameter of the wire 12. The handle 12d is connected to a lid mounting member 16 (described in more detail later).

The first and second wires are made of a metal wire of approximately 4.5 mm in diameter. FIGS. 3(a)-(c) and 4(a)-(b) also indicates the lengths and other parameters defining the shape of the first and second wires 11 and 12. In the above descriptions of the wires 11 and 12, when a value (length, angle, etc.) is given, it should be understood that the value given is approximate and the actual value may vary within a range from the given value without affecting the function of the described components. Similarly, when the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” are used, they should be understood to include near horizontal and near vertical angles. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine without undue experimentation the ranges of lengths, angles and other parameters of the first and second wires that will provide a functional product.

When assembled, the main segment 11a of the horizontal wire is disposed across the bottom surface of the can 10, and held in place by a plurality of snap holders 15 preferably made of plastic. The use of snap holds here as well as in the pedal mounting member 13a makes the can easy to assemble without tools. The snap holders 15 are disposed on the bottom of the can along a length of the main segment 11a and allow the horizontal wire 11 to rotate around an axis F that goes through the main segment 11a. In addition, the main segment 11a passes through the foot pedal mounting member 13a beneath the hinge 13b, and is held in a groove of the mounting member 13a. The angle between the rotation axis E of the foot pedal 13 and the rotation axis F of the horizontal wire 11 is approximately 26°. When the lid 14 is in the closed position, both the first bent segment 11b and the second bent segment 11c are angled upwards from the bottom floor of the can. When the foot pedal 13 is pressed down, it presses down the second bent segment 11c and the hook segment 11e and causes the wire 11 to rotate around the axis F in a direction such that the angle between the second bent segment 11c and the bottom floor of the can decreases and the angle between the first bent segment 11b and the bottom floor of the can increases, as indicated by arrows B and C in FIG. 3(b). As a result, the loop 11d moves upwards, pushing the vertical wire 12 upwards by the coupling between the loop 11d and the hook 12c.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lid 14 is mounted on the can 10 via a mounting member 16. The mounting member has a fixed portion 16a attached to the outside of the can 10 near its top, and a pivoting portion 16b that pivots with respect to the first portion 16a as indicated by arrows D. The lid 14 is mounted on the pivoting portion 16b and opens and closes as indicated by the arrows D. The handle 12d of the vertical wire 12 extends horizontally through a hole in the pivoting portion 16b. When the handle 12d moves upwards as a result of the foot pedal being pressed down, the pivoting portion 16b pivots in a counterclockwise direction of the arrow D and the lid 14 opens. Preferably, the fixed portion 16a and the pivoting portion 16b are shaped so as to stop the movement of the pivoting portion 16b before the lid 14 opens to a vertical position. Alternatively (not shown), a stopper may be provided on the foot pedal so that the foot pedal is stopped before the lid opens to a vertical position. This allows the lid to close under its own weight when the foot pedal is released.

Compared to some conventional cans, the activation action of the foot-activated lid is smoother and more stable. At least two design features contribute to the smoothness and stability of the action. First, the horizontal wire 11 is held near the foot pedal by the groove in the foot pedal mounting member 13a. Holding the horizontal wire 11 at a place near where force is applied (the bent segment 11c) makes the rotation of the horizontal wire less wobbly. Second, the placement of the vertical wire is such that its desired motion during activation is substantially vertical. The slit 10b through which the vertical wire passes to the outside of the can is only slightly wider than the diameter of the vertical wire and restricts the lateral wobble of the vertical wire. This makes the movement of the vertical wire more stable.

In an alternative design, the return portion of segment 11e of the horizontal wire is longer than the design shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(c), so that it extends more toward the main segment 11a. In an assembled can, the end of the hook portion 11e is located inside the opening 10a, so that when the pedal 13 is pressed down, the end of the hook portion 11e touches the bottom of the opening, which tends to stop the pressing of the pedal.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modification and variations can be made in the container of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, while the can 10 has a round cross-section in the illustrated embodiment, it may have other shapes such as rectangular cross-section. In addition, the container may be one that can be placed on a countertop and the pedal may be operated by hand instead of foot. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a container body;

a lid;

a lid mounting member having a fixed portion attached to the container body and a pivoting portion attached to the lid, the pivoting portion capable of pivoting with respect to the fixed portion;

a pedal partially disposed inside of the container body and passes through an opening near a bottom surface of the container body;

a pedal mounting member disposed on the bottom surface of the container body, the pedal mounting member including a hinge for pivotally mounting the pedal thereto, the hinge being located at a distance from a side wall of the container body; and

an activation mechanism including: a first wire having a main segment disposed horizontally across a bottom floor of the container body, a first and a second bent segment at each end of the main segment, the second bent segment disposed under the pedal, the first and second bent segments each being disposed at an angle with respect to the bottom floor of the container body, and the first wire being rotateable around the main segment; and a second wire having a main segment disposed vertically along a side wall of the container body, a lower end of the second wire being connected to the first bent segment of the horizontal wire, and an upper end of the second wire having a handle coupled to the pivoting portion of the lid mounting member.