STEP TRASH CAN HAVING INTEGRATED BASE AND BASE LINER

Abstract

A step trash can assembly includes a base assembly having an integrated base and base liner. The base includes several parts, including a base, a pedal bar with a foot pedal end and a linkage end for coupling to a link rod for operating the lid, and a pivot axle supported by the base, which pivotally supports the pedal bar. In addition, a separate base liner is provided above the base, concealing the components in the base after installation in the canister body. The foregoing components are pre-assembled to form the base assembly prior to attachment to the inside bottom trash can body.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/215,062, entitled “Integrated Step Trash Can Base Assembly,” filed on May 1, 2009, and a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,081, entitled “Trash Can Assembly with Bag Trim,” filed on Nov. 20, 2006. These applications and other applications and documents referenced herein are fully incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to trash can assemblies, and in particular trash cans having a lid that can be opened by operation of a foot pedal.

2. Description of Related Art

A major concern for both the home and the workplace is containing and holding wastes, refuse, and trash until permanent disposal. Trash cans act as containers for holding trash and other wastes that are produced in any typical home or office. Trash and garbage cans often employ lids and covers to contain the trash and its associated odor, to hide the trash from view, and to prevent the trash from contaminating areas beyond the lid.

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 internal metal or plastic liner that fits inside the trash can, and which can be removed to be washed. However, these conventional trash cans still suffer from a number of drawbacks.

A number of these drawbacks are associated with the deployment, use and removal of the trash bag. A common problem is associated with maintaining the trash bag suspended at the top of the trash open with the mouth of the trash bag opened. For example, a user typically needs to fold the top edge of the trash bag over the top edge of the trash can or its internal liner to maintain the mouth of the trash bag opened at the top of the trash can or an internal liner. Unfortunately, the weight of the waste materials deposited into the trash bag often causes the trash bag to slip from the mouth of the trash can and fall crumpled into the interior of the trash can. This can result in the undesirable spillage of the waste material inside the trash bag.

Further, prior art step trash cans require a number of components requiring various steps in the assembly process.

Thus, there remains a need for a trash can that facilitates the convenient and effective deployment, use and removal of a trash bag. Further, there remains a need for a step trash can structure that requires less number of parts and provides ease of assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a trash can assembly that allows for a trash bag to be conveniently and effectively deployed, used and removed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a trash can assembly that securely retains a trash bag at the mouth of the trash can.

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a trash can assembly that includes a shell having an enclosing wall that has an upper edge, a trim pivotably connected to the upper edge, and a lid pivotably connected to the upper edge. The trim is seated on the upper edge, and the lid is seated on the trim, when the lid is closed. In addition, the trim and the lid pivot about the same pivot axis.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the assembly can also include a locking element on the trim that removably engages a portion of the upper edge. According to another aspect of the present invention, the upper edge has an annular lip which extends outwardly beyond the wall of the shell.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the shell includes a bag tuck opening provided adjacent the upper edge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bowl-shaped liner is attached inside the shell adjacent the base of the shell.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the assembly includes a base assembly having an integrated base and base liner. In this aspect, a step trash can includes a base assembly attached to a cylindrical canister body. The base includes several parts, including a base, a pedal bar with a foot pedal end and a linkage end for coupling to a link rod for operating the lid, and a pivot axle supported by the base, which pivotally supports the pedal bar. In addition, a separate base liner is provided above the base, concealing the components in the base after installation in the canister body. The foregoing components are pre-assembled to form the base assembly prior to attachment to the inside bottom trash can body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, like reference numerals designate like or similar parts throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trash can assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention shown with the lid closed, and with a trash bag shown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the lid opened, and with a trash bag shown in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1 shown with the lid opened.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the hinge mechanism of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view of the lower portion of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the portion 8 of the trim shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a trash can assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown without a lid.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an exploded top perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. The invention has been described herein in reference to various embodiments and drawings. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and improvements may be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate one embodiment of a trash can assembly 20 according to the present invention. The assembly 20 has a shell or canister body 22 that can be made from either plastic or metal. The shell 22 is an enclosing wall which can have any desired shape, including oval, triangular, rectangular, square or circular (among others), although the shell 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 as being generally circular. The top edge of the shell 22 has an annular lip 24 which defines an opened mouth 26. The annular lip 24 extends outwardly beyond the wall of the shell 22, and has a generally rounded cross-section.

A trim 28 is pivotably coupled to the lip or top edge 24, and can be made from plastic or metal. The trim 28 and the shell 22 can be made from the same or different materials. The trim 28 has an annular base 44 that is adapted to be seated on the lip 24 of the shell 22, and an annular wall 46 extending vertically from the base 44, and which is recessed from the base 44 to define a shoulder 45 between the wall 46 and the base 44. A lid 30 is pivotably connected to the upper portion of the shell 22 using a hinged connection that is described below. The lid 30 can be made of a solid and stable material, such as a metal, plastic, etc. The lid 30 has an annular wall 48 that is adapted to be seated on the annular base 44 of the trim 28 when the lid 30 is closed, with the walls 46 and 48 positioned side-by-side such that the outer surfaces of the wall 48 and the base 44 are flush (see FIG. 1).

The shell 22 has a base 34, and a foot pedal 36 is pivotably secured to the base 34. The base 34 of the shell 22 can define a generally annular and curved skirt. In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the skirt can be formed in one plastic piece. The shell 22 can be attached to the top of the skirt of the base 34 by a groove snap-on, glue, welding, screws, and similar attachment mechanisms. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, a bowl-shaped liner insert 100 is attached to the base 34 at the bottom of the shell 22, and forms a seal or lower wall for the interior of the shell 22. The liner insert 100 can be made of plastic, and defines a smooth base for the interior of the shell 22. The liner insert 100 is particularly advantageous where the trash can assembly 20 does not utilize a rigid inner liner.

Referring to FIG. 3, a link assembly extends from the foot pedal 36 along the base 34 and then upwardly along the shell 22 to the lid 30. The link assembly operates to translate an up-down pivot motion of the pedal 36 to an up-down pivot motion for the lid 30. The link assembly includes a pedal bar 38 having a rear end that is pivotably coupled to the bottom end of a vertical link rod 40. The pedal bar 38 is pivotably coupled to the base 34 for pivoting movement about a pivot axis 42, and is connected at its front end to the foot pedal 36. The bottom of the link rod 40 is housed inside the base 34, and the link rod 40 extends through the base 34 to the exterior of the shell 22, and then extends vertically along the rear of the shell 22 to the location of the lid 30 at the upper edge 24.

The trash can assembly 20 has a hinge assembly that pivotably couples the lid 30 and the trim 28 along the same pivot axis that is defined by a pivot shaft 50. The hinge assembly is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 5 and 6 and includes a hinge housing 52 that is provided on the shell 22, a pair of pivot ears 54 and 56 provided at the rear of the trim 28, and a pair of pivot ears 58 and 60 provided at the rear of the lid 30.

The hinge housing 52 is secured to the outer surface of a rear part of the shell 22 adjacent the lip 24, and includes an L-shaped shield 66 extending vertically from a horizontal top surface 68 of the hinge housing 52, a bag tuck opening 70 provided in a region 72 that is recessed from the top surface 68, and a pivot tube 74 positioned at the rear of the hinge housing 52 on the top surface 68. The pivot tube 74 has a bore 76 which is adapted to receive the pivot shaft 50. In some embodiments, the bag tuck opening 70 functions to grip and hold portions of a trash bag, and is defined by a border 78 that has cut-out sections 80. Portions of the trash bag can be tucked into one or more of the cut-out sections 80 so that these cut-out sections 80 can grip the tucked portions of the trash bag. In some embodiments, the bag tuck opening 70 comprises a circular opening to receive and hold portions of a trash bag. The shield 66 encircles an opening (not shown) in the top surface 68, and functions to shield or separate the hooked end 82 at the top of the link rod 40.

The trim 28 has a pair of pivot ears 54 and 56 that are spaced apart at the rear of the trim 28. The pivot ears 54 and 56 are spaced so that the pivot tube 74 is snugly fitted between the ears 54, 56, as best shown in FIG. 5. Each ear 54, 56 has a through-hole 84 that is adapted for receiving the pivot shaft 50.

The lid 30 has a pair of pivot ears 58, 60 that are spaced so that the pivot ears 54, 56 are snugly fitted between the ears 58, 60, as best shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, the ear 58 has two parallel walls 90 and 92, with the inner wall 92 positioned snugly next to the pivot ear 54, and the ear 60 has two parallel walls 94 and 96, with the inner wall 96 positioned snugly next to the pivot ear 56. Each ear 58, 60 has a through-hole 85 that is adapted for receiving the pivot shaft 50. A pivot holder 86 extends from the inner surface 88 of the lid 30 via a vertical support 102 that is secured to the inner surface 88. The pivot holder 86 has two parallel vertical walls 104 and 106, with an L-shaped slot 108 provided in each wall 104, 106.

Thus, the pivot shaft 50 extends through the through-holes 84, 85 and the bore 76 to pivotably connect the trim 28 and the lid 30 along the same pivot axis.

The top of the link rod 40 has a hooked end 82 that extends through the hinge housing 52, and in particular, the opening shielded by the shield 66. The hooked end 82 is received for pivoting motion inside the slots 108 of the walls 104, 106, as best shown in FIG. 5. Each slot 108 has an upper leg 110 and a lower leg 112. The hooked end 82 is normally retained for pivoting motion in the upper leg 110 of each slot 108. When the lid 30 is fully opened, the user can manually push the hooked end 82 into the lower leg 112 of each slot 108, which will then secure the lid 30 in the opened position until the hooked end 82 is disengaged from the lower leg 112 of each slot 108.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the trim 28 includes a lock mechanism that functions to secure the trim 28 to the lip 24 of the shell 22. The lock mechanism includes at least one hook element 120 that is secured to the inside of the base 44 of the trim 28. The hook element 120 has an inner curved surface 122 that is adapted to receive the rounded lip 24, thereby securing the lip 24 (and the shell 22) to the trim 28. A handle 124 can be provided on the outside of the base 44 adjacent the location of the lock mechanism, so that a user can grip the handle 124 to lift the trim 28 from the shell 22.

In use, the user can step on the foot pedal 36 to cause the lid 30 to open. The user can adjust the hooked end 82 into the lower leg 112 of the slots 108 to lock the lid 30 in the opened position. The user can then grip the handle 124 to lift (i.e., separate) the trim 28 from the lip 24 of the shell 22, with the trim 28 pivoting about the same pivot axis as the lid 30. Next, the user can insert a trash bag into the interior of the shell 22, and then invert the mouth of the trash bag over the annular lip 24. The outwardly-extending, rounded construction of the lip 22 is effective in retaining the inverted mouth of the trash bag at the lip 24. This is illustrated in FIG. 2. In addition, part of the trash bag can be inserted into the bag tuck opening 70. The trim 28 is then pivoted downwardly until it is rested on top of the lip 24, with the lip 24 secured inside the hook element(s) 120. The mouth of the trash bag will essentially be sandwiched by the trim 28 and the lip 24, thereby ensuring that the mouth of the trash bag is always opened during use, and that the trash bag will be retained at the top of the shell 22. The user can then move the hooked end 82 into the upper leg 110 and pivot the lid 30 downwardly to be closed, as shown in FIG. 1. To replace the trash bag, the user can open the lid 30 and lift the trim 28 in the manner described above, and then lift the trash bag from the shell 22 before replacing it with a new trash bag.

Thus, the trash can assembly 20 provides several features that are effective in retaining a trash bag at the mouth of the shell 22. For example, the outwardly-extending lip 24 of the shell 22 makes it easy for the user to invert the mouth of the trash bag to retain the trash bag at the lip 24. The trim 28 securely retains the mouth of the trash bag at the lip 24 of the shell 22. The locking element ensures that the trim 28 is secured to the lip 24 of the shell 22 so that the trash bag cannot be inadvertently disengaged from the lip 24. In addition, the user can tuck a portion of the trash bag into the bag tuck opening 70. All of these features ensure that the trash bag is retained securely at the lip 24 of the shell 22.

Referring to FIGS. 9-15, an alternate embodiment of an integrated base assembly is illustrated, further to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. In accordance with this embodiment, the step trash can assembly 200 is similar to assembly 20 in the earlier embodiment, with the exception of the base assembly 204. In particular, the step trash can assembly 200 includes a hollow canister body 202, a pivotally supported lid (not shown, but can be similar the lid 30 in the earlier embodiment), and the base assembly 204. The base assembly 204 comprises a base 208, a liner 210 supported on the base 208, and a step mechanism supported at bottom of the base 208.

The canister body 202 may be made of brushed, polished, painted or otherwise finished plastic or metal. In the illustrated embodiment, the canister body 202 is cylindrical of a circular cross-section and made of polished steel. Other cylindrical canister body of other cross-sectional geometry may be structured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The top of the canister body 202 is covered by a hinged lid (not shown), which may be the same or different material and/or finish as the canister body 202. The bottom of the canister body 202 has a smooth inwardly rolled flange 206 (or another inwardly extending flange), through which the base assembly 204 is installed. Optionally, an inner bucket (not shown) may be provided as a liner for holding a plastic trash bag. As shown in the earlier embodiment, trim ring may be provided for securely retaining a plastic bag against the opening of the canister body 202, or the inner bucket if one is provided.

The base assembly 204 includes a base 208, which supports a bowl-shaped liner 210. The base 208 is inserted through the bottom section of the canister body 202. In this embodiment, the base 208 is inserted into the canister body 202 such that the bottom of the base is substantially flushed with the bottom edge of the canister body 202. With the base 208 substantially concealed inside the bottom of the canister body 202, the overall aesthetics of the trash can assembly 200 is improved. With the canister body 202 made of polished steel, the overall trash can assembly looks cleaner, with the polished steel canister body 202 extending top to bottom.

The liner 210 provides a smooth or finished base for the interior of the canister body 202. The liner 210 is sized to extend substantially across a horizontal planar section within the cylindrical wall of the canister body 202, such that one viewing from the top of the canister body 202 would see the liner 210 only, with the other components of the base assembly 204 substantially concealed from view (top view in FIG. 12). The bowl-shaped liner 210 does not extend significantly upwardly inside the canister body 202, but provides a concave bottom wall of a low height, compared to the height of the canister body 202. The bowl-shaped liner 210 protects the step mechanism from trash and provides an effective catchment for trash dropped directly into the trash can (e.g, from a broken trash bag). The liner 210 is provided with several small openings 211 for bleeding air within the canister body 202. In some embodiments, air can be expelled through the small openings 211 and the base assembly 204 when a plastic trash bag is placed into the canister body 202, so as to facilitate placement of the plastic trash bag. Furthermore, the small openings 211 prevent forming of a vacuum between the plastic trash bag (full of trash) and the canister body 202 and/or the liner 210. This facilitates removal of a trash bag since vacuum between the plastic trash bag and the canister body 202 and/or the liner 210 may make it hard to pull up and remove the plastic trash bag. At the bottom side of the liner 210, several legs 220 extend towards the base 208. In the illustrated embodiment, four legs 220 are shown. The number of legs may be more or less than four. Each leg 220 has a bore 221. The base 208 is provided with complementary leg pads 222, each having a center through-hole 223. When the liner 210 is mounted on the base 208, each bore 221 of each leg 220 is aligned with the through-hole 223 in each leg pad 222. A screw (e.g., a self-tapping screw, not shown) is applied through the through-hole 223 of the foot pad 222 and fastened to the bore of the leg 220. Feet 224 (each in the form of a rubber cap insert) are provided for standing the trash can. Each foot 224 is inserted into an opening 225 provided at the bottom of each leg pad 222.

A number of hollow pedestals or openings 209 are provided on the base 208, to provide additional support of the liner 210. The top of the pedestals 209 form a concave profile to conform to and accommodate the convex bottom of the liner 210. Also, the pedestals 209 provide open access to the small openings 211 of the liner 210 from the bottom of the trash can. This access makes it easier to clean portions of the bottom of the liner 210 and the small openings 211 from bottom of the trash can.

The step mechanism comprises a pedal bar 212 having a foot pedal 214 at one end and a hinge 215 at another end. A pivot axle 216 is supported at the bottom of the base 208. The pivot axle 216 has one end inserted into slot 230 on one side of the cavity 217 at the bottom of the base 208, and another end held at the notch 231 and fastened to the bottom of the base 208 by a screw 232 at the other side of the cavity 217, so that the end inserted into the slot 230 would not retract from the slot 230. The pivot axle 216 so assembled would withstand a user's foot pressure on the pedal bar. The pedal bar 212 is support for pivoting on the pivot axle 216, within the cavity 217 defined at the bottom of the base 208. The pedal bar 212 has a bottom pivot channel 218 across the width of the pedal bar 212, which receives the pivot axle 216. The pivot axle 216 may be positioned relative to the foot pedal 214 and the hinge end 215 to provide the required leverage to operate a link rod 201 to lift the lid of the trash can.

The pedal bar 212 and the foot pedal 214 may be separate pieces (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,323, which is fully incorporated by reference herein). The foot pedal 214 can be attached to the end of the pedal bar 212 after the base assembly 204 has been installed in the cavity 217 at the bottom of the canister body 202. In the illustrated embodiment, an opening 236 is provided at the edge of the base 208, through which the foot pedal 214 extends. The foot pedal end can be inserted through the opening 236 to attach to the end of the pedal bar 212 after the latter is supported on the pivot axle 216. Alternatively, the pedal bar 212 and foot pedal 214 may be a unitary piece.

Prior to assembling the base 208 onto the bottom of the canister body 202, the components of the base 208 may be fully assembled or partially assembled, depending on the desired packaging and shipping. For example, the pedal bar 212 and pivot axle 216 are installed at the bottom of the base 208, and the bowl liner 210 is fastened at the legs 220 to the base 208 (using screws through holes 223 in the leg pads 222). This fully assembled base assembly 204 may be maintained separate from the canister body 202 in the product packaging, to be shipped to a customer and finally assembled by the end user at the site of use. Alternatively, the assembled base assembly 204 may be shipped fully assembled with the canister body 202. The integral base assembly improves manufacturability and costs of manufacturing. Since the base assembly 204 is pre-manufactured as a fully assembled module, it can be easily assembled to the canister body 202 at the point of manufacture by end users.

The base assembly 204 can be attached to the canister body 202 by several alternative methods. The preferred method would be to apply a fastener-less mechanical fit between the base assembly 204 and the canister body 202 to securely assemble the parts. For example, a number of protruding tabs 240 are provided along the rim of the base 208 (e.g., integrally molded with the rim of the base 208), which securely latch onto the inwardly rolled flange 206 at the bottom edge of the canister body 202. Alternatively, a setting fasteners (e.g., a screw) may be used to secure the base assembly 204 on the canister body 202, for example, through the side of the canister body 202. However, this would be less aesthetic appealing, especially when the canister body 202 is made of polished steel finish.

The hinge 215 end of the pedal bar 212 is hingedly attached to one end 205 of the link rod 201 for operating the lid (not shown in FIGS. 9-15, but may be similar to lid 30 in the earlier described embodiment). In the illustrated embodiment, the link rod 201 extends through an opening 203 in the canister body 202 and runs outside of the canister body 202 vertically to the lid (see, FIG. 3). The other end 207 of the link rod 201 is hingedly connected to the lid (see FIG. 3). The link rod 201 may be positioned on the inside of the canister body 202, in an alternate embodiment.

The base assembly may be made primarily of durable plastic material, such as ABS, polyeurathane, vinyl, etc. The pivot axle 216 is made of more durable metal.

In accordance with the present invention in reference to the illustrated embodiment, there is significantly less number of parts required to provide a sturdy base assembly for foot pedal operation. A separate bucket liner is not required as a trash bag can be secured to the trash can and shielded from moving parts on the bottom portion of the trash can without a complete bucket liner. The assembly process requires minimal use of fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, screw 232 is applied to secure the pivot axle 216, and screws for fastening the liner 210 to the base 208. The rest of the components in the base assembly 204 do not require separate fasteners, and the attachment of the base assembly 204 to the canister body 202 does not require separate fasteners.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosed invention is to be considered merely as illustrative and limited in scope only as specified in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A step trash can assembly, comprising:

a canister body, having an edge at the bottom of the canister; and

a base assembly, which comprises: a base, a liner supported on the base, the liner sized to extend substantially across a horizontal planar section within the canister body; and a step mechanism supported at the bottom of the base,

wherein the base assembly is attached to inside bottom of the canister body.

2. The step trash can assembly of claim 1, wherein the base, liner and step mechanism are structured to be assembled prior to attachment to the canister body.

3. The step trash can assembly of claim 2, wherein the base assembly is attached to the canister body without using a separate fastener piece.

4. The step trash can assembly of claim 3, wherein the base assembly is attached to the canister body by means of protruding tabs provided around the base, and wherein the tabs latch onto an edge at the bottom of the canister body.

5. The step trash can assembly of claim 4, wherein the edge at the bottom of the canister body comprises a rolled flange, on which the tabs latch.

6. The step trash can assembly of claim 1, wherein liner is bowl-shaped.

7. The step trash can assembly of claim 6, wherein the liner is provided with small openings for bleeding air.

8. The step trash can assembly of claim 6, wherein the base, liner and step mechanism are structured to be assembled prior to attachment to the canister body.

9. The step trash can assembly of claim 8, wherein the base assembly is attached to the canister body without using a separate fastener piece.

10. The step trash can assembly of claim 9, wherein the base assembly is attached to the canister body by means of protruding tabs provided around the base, and wherein the tabs latch onto an edge at the bottom of the canister body.

11. The step trash can assembly of claim 10, wherein the edge at the bottom of the canister body comprises a rolled flange, on which the tabs latch.

12. The step trash can assembly of claim 1, wherein the step assembly comprises:

a pedal bar, having a foot pedal at one end and a hinge at another end; and

a pivot axle supported at the bottom of the base, providing pivotal support of the pedal bar.

13. The step trash can assembly of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a cavity at the base, in which the step mechanism is installed.

14. The step trash can assembly of claim 12, wherein the base, liner and step mechanism are structured to be assembled prior to attachment to the canister body.

15. The step trash can assembly of claim 13, wherein the base assembly is attached to the canister body without using a separate fastener piece.

16. The step trash can assembly of claim 15, wherein the base assembly is attached to the canister body by means of protruding tabs provided around the base, and wherein the tabs latch onto an edge at the bottom of the canister body.

17. The step trash can assembly of claim 16, wherein the edge at the bottom of the canister body comprises a rolled flange, on which the tabs latch.

18. The step trash can assembly of claim 7, wherein the base comprises openings corresponding to the small openings of the liner.

19. A base assembly module for use in a step trash can, comprising:

a base, a liner supported on the base, the liner sized to extend substantially across a horizontal planar section within the canister body; and a step mechanism supported at bottom of the base, wherein the base, liner and step mechanism are structured to be assembled in a module prior to attachment to the step trash can.

20. The step trash can assembly of claim 19, wherein liner is bowl-shaped.

21. The step trash can assembly of claim 20, wherein the step assembly comprises:

a pedal bar, having a foot pedal at one end and a hinge at another end; and

a pivot axle supported at the bottom of the base, providing pivotal support of the pedal bar.