CONTAINER WITH PEDAL OPERATED LID

Abstract

A container has one or more foot pedals for opening respective one or more lids of the container. The foot pedals extend outwardly from a foot pedal portion of on the outer periphery of the container body. The foot pedal portion can be metal and flush with the outer periphery of the container body.

Description

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/131,580, filed Jun. 10, 2008, and is related to design patent application Ser. No. 29/298,761 of Lee, filed Dec. 12, 2007 both disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a trash container. More particularly, this invention relates to a trash container specifically designed for the collection of recyclable trash such as, for example, cans, and/or bottles, etc. Specifically, this invention relates to such a container which is of a size to fit conveniently under the sink or in like cabinets and yet efficiently hold the maximum amount of recyclable materials.

2. Description of Related Art

In view of the ecological emphasis on the recycling of trash materials, the need for separate containers to hold the same in a sorted environment has become prevalent. In an attempt to satisfy this need, manufacturers have developed recycle container systems, that is, a plurality of containers that may stack with each other or that may be carried on a cart or the like, are provided so the user may separate items such as glass, cans, recyclable paper, and non-recyclable items. Oftentimes these containers are color-coded to identify the type of trash they are to receive.

Conventional trash cans have been improved over the years to make them more user-friendly, sanitary, and hygienic. For example, many trash cans are now provided with a foot pedal positioned adjacent the base of the trash can so that a user can step on the foot pedal to open the lid of the trash can, thereby freeing up the user's hands to toss trash, or to change the plastic liner or bag that is used to line the trash can. Other trash cans have even provided an interior metal or plastic liner that fits inside the trash can, and which can be removed to be washed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An aspect of the present disclosure includes a container body with a top end and a bottom end, the container body having an enclosing wall that defines a periphery, the enclosing wall having one or more foot pedal holes adjacent the bottom end. One or more foot pedal portions, separate from the container body, is fitted into a respective opening adjacent the bottom end of the container body, the foot pedal portion is substantially flush with the periphery of the container body. One or more foot pedals are at least partially positioned in a respective foot pedal portion. One or more lids are hingedly attached to the top end of the container body and a lid actuator couples a foot pedal to a respective lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a container with a foot pedal operated lid according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a foot pedal area of a portion of the container body of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the foot pedal area of the portion of the container body of FIG. 2 having an indentifier trim piece installed;

FIG. 4 illustrates a foot pedal area of a portion of the container body of FIG. 3 having a lid actuator installed;

FIG. 5 illustrates a foot pedal area of a portion of the container body of FIG. 4 having a foot pedal installed; and

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an embodiment of a trim piece and a foot pedal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an implementation of the container 100 having a lid actuated foot pedal according to the present disclosure. The container includes a container body 102 having one or more lids 104a, 104ba, 104b. Lids 104a, 104b are illustrated in the closed position. Each lid 104a, 104b covers a separate internal area (not shown) of container body 102. The separate internal areas may have removable bins (not shown), which are concealed by lids 104a, 104b when the lids are in the closed position. In the embodiment shown, two pedals and respective lids are within a single container body. However, one or more pedal/lid assemblies may be within the container body.

Container body 102 has a foot pedal portion 110a, 110b corresponding to a respective lid 104a, 104b. Foot pedal portion 110a, 110b can be metal and substantially flush with an outer periphery of container body 102. The foot pedal portion may have a surface contour distinguishable from the rest of the container body.

An identifier trim 112a, 112b may be installed around the foot pedal portion. Identifier trim 112 may have a distinguishing characteristic to distinguish between respective foot pedal portions. For example, the identifier trim may be distinguished by color or surface finish. Each lid 104a, 104b is coupled to a respective foot pedal 106a, 106b by a respective lid actuator 108a, 108b. Each foot pedal 106a, 106b is coupled to respective foot pedal portion 110a, 110b and free to pivot therein. Lid actuator 108a, 108b can protrude from container body 102 through an opening (not shown) therein in the foot pedal portion and may also protrude through the identifier trim through an opening (not shown) therein. Lid actuator 108a, 108b is free to rotate in the respective opening in the identifier trim and the container body. Lid actuator 108a, 108b is arranged so that pivoting of the foot pedal translates to a rotation of the lid actuator.

A base trim 114 can be assembled to a bottom of container body 102 to support the container body on the floor. However, other support mechanisms may be used. A top trim 116 can be assembled to a top of container body 102 and surround the lid 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of a foot pedal portion 110a of a container body 102. Foot pedal portion 110a can have one or more identifier trim holes 204 through the container body 102 for mounting of the identifier trim to the container body. Foot pedal portion 110a can have one or more foot pedal holes 206 through the container body 102 for mounting of the foot pedal to the container body. A pedal portion lid actuator hole 208 through the container body 102 may be provided for passage of the lid actuator therethrough.

FIG. 3 illustrates foot pedal portion 110a of container body 102 having identifier trim 112a installed. In an implementation, identifier trim 112a has an identifier trim lid actuator hole 308 for passage of a lid actuator therethrough. Identifier trim lid actuator hole 308 can be made to align with pedal portion lid actuator hole 208 to provide for passage of the lid actuator through both the pedal portion and the identifier trim. FIG. 4 illustrates lid actuator 108a assembled to container body 102 by passage through the pedal portion lid actuator hole in the pedal portion 110a and passage through the identifier trim lid actuator hole in the identifier trim 112a.

FIG. 5 illustrates foot pedal 106a assembled to foot pedal portion 110a of container body 102. Foot pedal 106a can be assembled using the foot pedal holes 206. Foot pedal 106a can pivot downwards with respect to the foot pedal portion when a downward force is applied to the foot pedal. In an implementation, foot pedal 106a can have pedal end caps 502 to cover the ends of the foot pedal. The foot pedal may be made of metal and the pedal end caps made of plastic. The pedal end caps can protect a user of the container from possible injury from contact with ends of the foot pedal.

FIG. 6A illustrates identifier trim 112 having an identifier trim lid actuator hole 208. FIG. 6B illustrates a foot pedal 106a. Foot pedal 106a can have end caps 502 as discussed herein above. Foot pedal 106 can have foot pedal tabs 602 with foot pedal retainers 604 substantially perpendicular to the pedal tabs. The foot pedal can be assembled to the container body by inserting the foot pedal tabs 602 into respective foot pedal holes 206 in foot pedal portion 110 of container body 102, as discussed herein above. Foot pedal retainers 604 can inhibit the foot pedal from removal from the foot pedal holes. The foot pedal may rest upon the lid actuator 108a.

When a downward force is applied to the foot pedal, the foot pedal pivots in the foot pedal hole of the container body. The foot pedal thus presses on the lid actuator causing the lid actuator to rotate in identifier trim lid actuator hole and the container body lid actuator hole. A mechanism (not shown) can cause the rotational motion of the lid actuator to be translated into a force to cause a respective lid to open.

A user opens the lid by applying a downward pressure using the user's foot, for example, on the foot pedal of the container having a pedal actuated lid. The foot pedal portion being flush with the container body and made of metal can inhibit damage to the container body. The identifying trim can help a user identify different bins (not shown) under a respective lid. In this way different bins may be used for different purposes. For example, different bins may be used to separate differing recyclable materials.

While a two lid container has been described and illustrated, this shall not be considered limiting. One or more pedal actuated lids may be provided consistent with the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A container assembly, comprising:

a container body with a top end and a bottom end, the container body having an enclosing wall that defines a periphery, the enclosing wall having one or more foot pedal holes adjacent the bottom end;

one or more foot pedal portions, separate from the container body, is fitted into a respective opening adjacent the bottom end of the container body, the foot pedal portion substantially flush with the periphery of the container body;

one or more foot pedals at least partially positioned in a respective foot pedal portion;

one or more lids hingedly attached to the top end of the container body; and

a lid actuator coupling a foot pedal to a respective lid.

2. The container assembly of claim 1, comprising an identifier trim associated with each foot pedal portion, identifier trim distinguishing one foot pedal portion from another.

3. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein each identifier trim is a different color than every other identifier trim.

4. The container assembly of claim 3, further comprising pedal end caps coupled to each foot pedal, said end caps having the same color as the respective identifier trim.

5. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein each identifier trim has a different surface finish than every other identifier trim.

6. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the foot pedal portion has a surface contour that is different from a surface contour of the container body.

7. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the foot pedal pivots about a pivot point, with the pivot point positioned inside the periphery of the container body.

8. The container assembly of claim 7, further including a base, with each foot pedal pivotally secured to the base, wherein pivoting of the foot pedal causes the respective lid actuator to move the respective lid.