Attachable trash bag storage and dispensing mechanism and trash container
The present invention is a trash container having a trash bag liner storage and dispensing system. The trash container has a wall surrounding an interior of the trash container and an opening at a top of the container. A pad of trash bag liners is placed in an upright position within the interior of the trash container. The trash bag liners are overlaid over each other and preferably held together by one or more binders. A securing device or devices are affixed to the inner side of the trash container rim. Alternatively, the securing device or devices may be integrated into the trash container. The pad has an attaching device or devices removably securing the pad to the rim of the trash container. The pad is positioned within the indented section of the interior of the integrated trash container and a trash bag liner is detached from the pad and deployed within the interior of the trash container. When the plurality of trash bag liners within a pad are completely utilized, the top portion of the pad may be removed and discarded and a new pad inserted.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to garbage systems. Specifically, the present invention relates to a dispenser of trash bags attached or integrated into a trash container.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of trash containers to collect trash has been in use for many years. To facilitate the gathering of trash, trash bag liners are used to line the interior of the trash container. These trash bags provide several advantages to a person. First, the container is protected from dirt or liquids which may damage or soil the interior of the trash container. Second, the trash collected in the trash container may be easily removed without lifting the trash container. Although the use of trash bags has provided a convenience to users, there are problems associated with using the trash bags. The trash bags are normally stowed in a box located away from the trash container. The user must remove one trash bag from the box and insert the bag into the interior of the trash container. However, the box of trash bags is oftentimes located in a different and remote location from the trash container. Additionally, positioning the bag within the interior of the trash container can be difficult and cumbersome to the user. An apparatus is needed which allows the storage of a multitude of trash bags within the trash container and allows easy attachment and removal from the trash container. The apparatus should allow the storage of a plurality of trash bags in a simple and convenient location within the trash container for the user.
Although there are no known prior art teachings of an apparatus or system such as that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,847 to Pedersen et al. (Pedersen), U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,005 to Ashinhurst, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0096523 to Pyles (Pyles).
Pedersen discloses a trash bag dispenser in the form of a pouch. The pouch has an adhesive strip on the bottom for mounting to the bottom of the interior of a trash container and an opening to provide access on the top to provide access to a continuous strip of trash can liners which are folded in an accordion like manner within the pouch. Although Pedersen discloses storing a plurality of trash bags in a container, Pedersen does not teach or suggest attaching the bags onto the rim of the trash container. Pedersen suffers from the disadvantage of requiring the user to pull the bags from the bottom of the interior of the container, which may be difficult for the user. Additionally, Pedersen does not provide a simple and economical way of storing the bags within the container. The bags disclosed in Pedersen must be stored in accordion-like fashion at the bottom of the container.
Ashinhurst discloses an automatic lining refuse container device for use in providing a method for holding and replacing trash liners from within a trash can. The device includes a plurality of trash bags stored in a bottom portion of the interior of the trash can upon a spindle. Ashinhurst also discloses a device which stores trash bags in the container. However, Ashinhurst discloses storing the trash bags at the bottom of the trash can, which may be difficult for a user to access. Additionally, Ashinhurst utilizes a complicated and costly spindle system for storing the trash bags.
Pyle discloses a replacement liner dispenser add-on unit for use in storing replacement liners for lining a refuse container. The add-on unit forms a bezel to fit to the rim of a refuse container. Pyle discloses attaching the replacement liners adjacent the rim of the container. But Pyle does not teach or suggest a means for easily lining the interior of the container with the replacement liner. The user must remove the trash bag liner from the add-on device and then place the bag in the interior of the trash container.
Currently, there are no devices on trash containers for storing trash bags in an upright position within the interior of the trash container and allowing easy access and attachment to the trash container. An apparatus is needed which enables the attachment of a plurality of bags in an easily accessible and deployable manner within the interior of the trash container.
Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have an easily accessible bundle of bags which are simple to use and configured for easy set up within the interior of the trash container. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a trash container designed for storing trash bags on the interior wall while providing convenient access and setup of a new trash liner within the trash container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention is a trash container designed for incorporating a trash bag liner storage and dispensing system. The trash container includes a wall surrounding an interior of the trash container and an opening at a top of the container. The trash container also includes a pad having a plurality of trash bag liners. The trash bag liners overlay each other and are held together by a banded section. The pad is removably attached to the trash container. The pad is positioned in an upright position within the interior of the trash container and a trash bag liner is pulled from the pad and deployed within the interior of the trash container.
In another aspect, the present invention is a trash bag storage and dispensing device for use on a conventional trash container. The trash bag dispensing device includes a pad having a plurality of trash bag liners. The trash bag liners overlay each other and are held together by a banded section. The pad is removably attached to the trash container. The pad is positioned in an upright position within the interior of the trash container and a trash bag liner is pulled from the pad and deployed within the interior of the trash container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An integrated trash can and trash can liner storage and dispensing system as well as an attachable mechanism for dispensing trash bag liners from within a conventional trash container are disclosed.
With reference to
Once the pad is securely inserted within the indented section 22, the front portion of a first exposed trash bag liner 30 is torn at the perforation line 36 and pulled forward from the pad. The back top portion of the first trash bag liner remains attached to the pad. The front portion of the trash bag liner is then pulled over the opposite side of the rim. The trash bag liner is thus secured and opened within the trash container and ready for use. When it is desired to remove the trash bag liner from the container, the back portion of the trash bag liner is pulled at the perforation line 36 and removed from the pad. The front portion of the trash bag liner is also removed from the rim of the trash container. The trash bag liner is then removed from the container and discarded. A new trash bag liner is then deployed in the same fashion as described above. When all of the trash bag liners within a pad have been utilized, the remaining banded section
In an alternate use of the trash bag liners within the trash container 10, the trash bag liner may be removed completely from the pad and attached over the entire rim of the trash container.
The pad 32 may be affixed in any manner allowing the secure fastening and easy removal of the pad from the trash container 10. For example, the pad may be affixed by hooks, hook and loop fasteners, or other mechanisms and it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the securing devices 18 and hook mechanisms 40.
The integrated trash container 10 provides many advantages for collecting trash. The present invention enables a plurality of trash bag liners to be stored in a vertical position on the inner portion of the rim of a trash container and easily deployed for use in collecting trash. The present invention enables the user to also easily remove a full trash bag liner and allows the ready access of another trash bag liner. The present invention is an integrated trash container which is configured to provide ease in the storage, deployment, and removal of trash bag liners within a trash container. The trash container 10 includes an indented area for housing the pad of trash liners to allow the trash bag liner to provide a regular opening. The trash container 10 also may include a raised section of the indented area to allow the trash bag liner, when deployed, to sit flush with the opposite rim of the trash container.
With reference to
Once the pad is secured to the trash container 100, the front portion of a first exposed trash bag liner 30 is torn at the perforation line 36 and pulled away from the pad. The back portion of the first trash bag liner remains attached to the pad. The front portion of the trash bag liner is then pulled over the opposite side of the rim. The trash bag liner is thus secured and opened within the trash container and ready for use. When it is desired to remove the trash bag liner from the container, the back portion of the trash bag liner is pulled at the perforation line 36 and removed from the pad. The front portion of the trash bag liner is also removed from the rim of the trash container. The trash bag liner is then removed from the container and discarded. A new trash bag liner is then deployed in the same fashion as described above. When the pad is empty, the banded section 34 may be removed and a new pad inserted. In an alternate use of the trash bag liners within the trash container 100, the trash bag liner may be removed completely from the pad. The top portion of the entire trash bag liner may be wrapped over the entire rim of the trash container.
The present invention may be utilized on any size and shape of a trash container. The present invention may be used on existing trash containers without modification to the trash container. The pad may be attached in any fashion to the rim of the trash container. The present invention utilizes a pad having a plurality of trash bag liners which are easy to access and deploy. The pad of trash bag liners is easily stored. Additionally, the unique configuration of storing a plurality of trash bag liners in a pad provides ease in deployment of the liners onto the trash container.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.
It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A trash container having a trash bag liner dispensing system, the trash container comprising:
- a trash container having a wall surrounding an interior of the trash container and an opening at a top of the container;
- a pad having a plurality of trash bag liners, the trash bag liners overlaying each other; and
- means for removably attaching the pad to the trash container;
- whereby the pad is positioned upright within the interior of the trash container and a trash bag liner is at least partially detached from the pad and deployed within the interior of the trash container.
2. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the trash bag liner is deployed from within the interior by detaching a front portion of the trash bag liner from the pad and wrapping the front portion over a portion of a rim of the trash container.
3. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the trash bag liner is deployed from the interior by detaching the entire trash bag liner from the pad and wrapping the top of the trash bag liner over a rim of the trash container.
4. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the pad includes a perforation line connecting each trash bag liner to a top portion of the pad to facilitate the removal of each trash bag liner from the top portion of the pad.
5. The trash container of claim 1 wherein a banded section is located at the top of the pad to bind the trash bag liners together and includes at least one articulation line to allow the banded section to conform to the shape of the wall of the trash container.
6. The trash container of claim 5 wherein the wall is curved and the banded section conforms to a curvature of the wall.
7. The trash container of claim 5 wherein the wall includes planar sides and the banded section includes a plurality of articulation lines to allow the banded section to bend perpendicularly.
8. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the trash container includes an indented section within the interior of the trash container for housing the pad of trash bag liners.
9. The trash container of claim 8 wherein the indented section includes a raised side of the wall to allow a trash bag liner to be partially detached from the pad and wrapped over a portion of the rim of the container on an opposite side from the pad in a flush position when the pad is positioned within the interior of the trash container.
10. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the means for removably attaching the pad to the trash container includes at least one removable clip attached to the top of the container and the pad being secured to at least one of the removable clips.
11. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the means for removably attaching the pad to the trash container includes a securing device on a rim of the trash container and an attachment device positioned at the top of the pad and affixed to a rear surface of the pad, the attachment device being attached to the securing device of the trash container to secure the pad in an upright position to the interior of the trash container.
12. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the trash container includes a trash liner capture unit for retaining at least a portion of the trash bag liner against the inner side of the rim of the trash container.
13. The trash container of claim 12 wherein the trash liner capture unit hides the trash bag liner affixed to the rim of the trash container.
14. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of trash bag liners are bound together by at least one binder.
15. The trash container of claim 14 wherein the binder includes a means for attaching the pad within the trash container in an upright position.
16. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the trash container includes at least one securing device positioned within the top side of the trash container.
17. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the plurality of trash bag liners are bound together by a fastening means.
18. A trash bag dispensing device for use on a trash container, the trash bag dispensing device comprising:
- a pad having a plurality of trash bag liners, the trash bag liners overlaying each other; and
- means for removably attaching the pad to the trash container;
- whereby the pad is positioned upright within the interior of the trash container and a trash bag liner is at least partially detached from the pad and deployed within the interior of the trash container.
19. The trash bag dispensing device of claim 18 wherein the means for removably attaching the pad to the trash container includes a securing device affixed to an inner side of the rim of the trash container and the pad having an attaching device securing the pad to the rim of the trash container.
20. The trash bag dispensing device of claim 18 wherein the trash bag liner is deployed from within the interior by detaching a front portion of the trash bag liner from the pad and wrapping the front portion over a section of a rim of the trash container.
21. The trash bag dispensing device of claim 18 wherein the plurality of trash bag liners are bound together by at least one binder.
22. The trash container of claim 21 wherein the binder includes a means for attaching the pad to the rim of the trash container.
23. The trash bag dispensing device of claim 21 wherein the binder is located at the top of the pad and includes at least one articulation line to allow the binder to conform to the shape of the wall of the trash container.
24. The trash bag dispensing device of claim 18 wherein the means for removably attaching the pad to the trash container includes securing devices positioned on the rim of the trash container and the pad being attached to the securing devices.
25. The trash bag dispensing device of claim 18 wherein the means for removably attaching the pad to the trash container includes attaching the pad directly to the rim of the trash container.
26. A trash container having a trash bag liner dispensing system, the trash container comprising:
- a trash container having a wall surrounding an interior of the trash container and an opening at a top of the container;
- a pad having a plurality of trash bag liners, the trash bag liners overlaying each other; and
- a securing device affixed to an inner side of the rim of the trash container and the pad having an attaching device removably securing the pad to the rim of the trash container; and
- an indented section located within the interior of the trash container for housing the pad of trash bag liners;
- whereby the pad is positioned within the indented section of the interior of the trash container and a trash bag liner is at least partially detached from the pad and deployed within the interior of the trash container.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 11, 2007
Inventor: Daniel Tamez (Plano, TX)
Application Number: 11/399,777
International Classification: B65D 25/14 (20060101);