APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING AND TRANSFERRING YARD WASTE

Abstract

A vented transfer container for household and yard waste is provided that includes ventilation openings to prevent the formation of a vacuum between contents and container upon transfer of contents to a collection bag. An alternative embodiment comprises an internal drain cup that closes the vents in the upright position and collects drainage from the waste, seals in odors and keeps out insects while gravity and vacuum cause the internal drain cup to open the vent openings when the container is inverted for transfer of waste. Alternately, the drain cup is external and comprises extraction handles. Still further, vents may be internal channels within the walls of the transfer container making the container leak-proof. Suction holes in the outer container wall near the rim keep the collection bag in contact with the container wall during transfer so that the collection bag remains open without user intervention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/249,378, filed Oct. 7, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for collecting yard waste in a vented transfer container and transferring the debris to a collection bag. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vented transfer container, such as a trash can, that is tailored for the collection of yard debris and further facilitates transfer of the contents held therein to a disposal bag, such as a disposable and/or compostable plastic or paper bag.

It is well known that raking, collecting and bagging leaves and other yard debris is a time consuming and strenuous chore. Typically, people rake or blow the leaves into piles and transfer the piles to individual bags or trash barrels for transport or pickup. The major problem with this method is that known lawn and leaf bags do not stay open without some additional support and bags tend to tear when the contents are compacted. Similarly, collection of yard debris such as branch trimmings and lawn clippings usually must be placed into collection bags or bundled in some manner to allow for their pick up. When transferring such bulky debris into light-gauge collection bags, that typically are made from thin plastic foil, these bags tend to collapse during filling and need to be held open by support structures. Further, plastic bags can easily be pierced by twigs and tear and while compostable paper bags may be less likely to collapse, tip over or be pierced, they tend to be costly to purchase.

There are numerous known devices in the art to hold such yard waste collection bags open and/or funnel the yard clippings into them. One known method includes using a trash can or barrel and placing a plastic collection bag inside with the opening of the bag (sometimes fitted with a draw string) draped over the rim of the trash can. Typically, it is difficult to maintain the bag in the proper position inside a firm-walled trash can while filling it. Further, twigs tend to snag the bag and perforate it during filling. It is also often difficult to extract a filled collection bag out of a known trash can because it may be heavy, needs to be lifted vertically high enough to clear the rim of the trash can, is likely to bind against the walls of the trash barrel and tends to tear during removal. Additionally, extraction of a full collection bag tends to create a vacuum between the outer surface of the bag and the container walls, especially when the contents have been compacted, thereby increasing friction against the container walls, making the task of lifting the bag out of the container difficult and strenuous for a user.

Other known filling assist devices have been developed to be placed inside the bag. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,982 (Cooke) discloses three rigid panels hinged together to form a trough that is placed inside the leaf bag. This device, however, has sharp edges and corners that tend to puncture or tear the collection bag during insertion and removal. U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,690 (McEniry) discloses a support structure for suspending an open bag from a wall, but this device is not appropriate for yard work because it requires that the support structure be permanently attached to a wall-like structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,348 (Corsaut) discloses a trash bag holder, which has a narrow plastic strip with an intermediate straight portion, adapted to engage either the ground or a supporting wall. In addition, there are known wire frame devices configured to hold open the mouth of the collection bag for filling. These devices are inconvenient to attach to a collection bag and only hold open the mouth of the collection bag, making it difficult to fill the bag or compress its contents because the bag is unsupported along its sides.

There is therefore a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that facilitates the filling of a vented transfer container wherein the contents are compacted. There is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that allows the easy transfer of compacted debris contained in a trash can to a light weight collection bag without undue maneuverings, strain and heavy lifting by a user. There is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that minimizes the risk of puncturing or tearing collection bags, especially if twigs and yard clipping are collected. There is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that prevents a vacuum from forming between the inner container walls and the collection bag, which tends to impede extraction of the bag from a trash can. There is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that allows compaction of contents without causing punctures or tears in the collection bag. There is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that has openings positioned in a manner that prevents a vacuum from forming yet minimizes spillage of the yard waste, such as leaves and clippings, through these openings while transporting or moving the vented transfer container. There is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that incorporates vacuum-breaking venting yet prevents insect infestation and liquids from leaking out when wet contents are collected. There is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that does not require a user to hold up the open end of a collection bag during transfer of waste from a trash can and prevents the open bag from dropping to the ground and spilling its contents during the transfer. There is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus that can be inverted, and conveniently handled in the inverted position, for the purpose of transferring the contents to a bag. And there is also a need for a yard debris collection method and apparatus allowing a user to easily and conveniently separate a filled collection bag from a trash can.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this regard, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for collecting debris in a transfer container and transferring it to a collection bag. The method involves filling an upright, vented transfer container with debris, optionally compacting the contents inside the container, draping a collection bag over the filled transfer container, inverting the bag-covered transfer container, extracting the inverted transfer container from the collection bag so that the contents may be deposited in the collection bag and closing the collection bag for pickup or disposal.

A collection apparatus, specifically a vented transfer container that facilitates the method of collecting debris and transferring it to a collection bag, is also disclosed. The transfer container may be formed in the same manner as a traditional trash can having rigid walls, with sides that may taper inward from the rim to the base, and having vents that break the vacuum that typically is created when a collection bag is extracted from known debris collection containers. The vents of the disclosed vented transfer container may use one or more vent openings in the base and/or the sidewalls of the vented transfer container. These vent openings may be permanently open. The vent openings may also be closed during the task of collecting and compacting yard waste or other debris and open when the vented transfer container is inverted during transfer to a collection bag. The vent openings may also be configured into passages that loop over the top rim of the transfer container to connect the inside of the transfer container, preferably in the vicinity of the base, to the outside of the transfer container, preferably near its bottom, to facilitate the containment and transfer of wet materials.

In an alternate embodiment, the vented transfer container also comprises one or more grips or extraction handles that may be attached to, or integrated into, the base of the transfer container to facilitate extracting the vented transfer container from the collection bag after transfer of the contents to the bag. Optionally, accessory items, such as a known lid to close the vented transfer container and protect against insect infestation and rain, a vented lid for attaching a vacuum hose, and a compaction tamper, may be provided to ease the task of collecting debris, compacting it, and transferring it to a collection bag, as more fully described below.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that facilitates the filling of a vented transfer container wherein the contents are compacted. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that allows the easy transfer of compacted debris contained in a trash can to a light weight collection bag without undue maneuverings, strain and heavy lifting by a user. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that minimizes the risk of puncturing or tearing collection bags, especially if twigs and yard clipping are collected. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that prevents a vacuum from forming between the inner container walls and the collection bag, which tends to impede extraction of the bag from a trash can. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that incorporates vacuum-breaking venting yet prevents insect infestation and liquids from leaking out when wet contents are collected. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that does not require a user to hold up the open end of a collection bag during transfer of waste from a trash can and prevents the open bag from dropping to the ground and spilling its contents during the transfer.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a known trash container in upright position;

FIG. 1B is a series of top views of known shapes of known trash containers;

FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of a vented transfer container in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 2, of an upright vented transfer container in the process of filling;

FIG. 4 is the a cross section of FIG. 3 with a collection bag placed over the vented transfer container;

FIG. 5 is the a cross section of FIG. 3 with the inverted vented transfer container discharging the contents into a collection bag;

FIG. 6 is the a cross section of FIG. 3 with the inverted vented transfer container partially extracted from a collection bag with the contents deposited in the collection bag;

FIGS. 7A & 7B are sectional views of an alternative vented transfer container, where FIG. 7A shows an upright vented transfer container with vent openings sealed by an internal seal and FIG. 7B shows the inverted vented transfer container of FIG. 7A with the internal seal separated and the vent openings opened;

FIGS. 8A & 8B are views of an alternative vented transfer container, where FIG. 8A is a perspective bottom view with vent openings sealed by an external drain cup comprising handles, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the inverted container of FIG. 8A with the extraction handle up-lifted, the external drain cup separated, and the vent openings opened;

FIGS. 9A & 9B are views of an alternative vented transfer container with internal vent channels, where FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of an upright container with internal vent channels, and FIG. 9B is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 9A along section lines A-A′ of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is a section view of a ribbed core along section lines B-B′ of FIG. 9A; and

FIG. 11 is a section view of a liner shroud along section lines AW-A′ of FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to the drawings, the method and apparatus for collecting debris in a transfer container and transferring it to a collection bag is shown and generally illustrated in the figures. As can be seen, the method generally involves filling an upright, vented transfer container with debris, optionally compacting the contents inside the container, draping a collection bag over the filled transfer container, inverting the bag-covered transfer container, extracting the inverted transfer container from the collection bag so that the contents may be deposited in the collection bag and closing the collection bag for pickup or disposal. The apparatus provides a vented transfer container that facilitates the method of collecting debris and transferring it to a collection bag by employing vents that break the vacuum that typically is created when a collection bag is extracted from known debris collection containers.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a known, prior art trash can 35 has a container base 17, container sidewalls 14 that may taper outward from the base to facilitate release of a known trash can 35 from a production mold and also to prevent contents from adhering to the inside of container sidewalls 14 of the trash can during emptying of its contents, an upper rim 13 to reinforce the trash can upper edge, and one or more known carrying handles 73. Carrying handles 73 typically are attached near, or at, the upper rim 13 or attached to, or integrated into, the container sidewalls 14 near the rim 13 of a known trash can 35 to facilitate handling and transporting the trash can when it is upright, especially when it is filled and heavy. Such handles, as are typical in known trash cans, may be rigid, flexible or pivoted into handling position when used. The upper rim 13 of a known trash can 35 has a container opening shape 28. Known trash cans also have variously-shaped container opening shapes 28 such as circular 28A, oblong 28B, rectangular 28C, square 28D, truncated 28E, as shown in FIG. 1B or other shapes and, if circular, typical trash can upper rims 13 range between 16 and 36 inches in diameter but may be larger or smaller. The container height 31 of known trash cans, measured between container base 17 and upper rim 13, typically ranges between 16 and 36 inches but may be larger or smaller. Typically, known trash cans 35 have an inside volume 66 and are injection molded or blow molded from thermoplastic material such as ABS or polypropylene, or made from other suitable materials using other manufacturing processes, and they typically also have a lid (not shown) to protect against rain, insects, and odors.

Turning now to FIG. 2-6, one preferred embodiment of a vented transfer container 10 of the present invention, shown in an inverted position in FIG. 2, includes vent openings 21 formed directly into the container base 17 of the vented transfer container 10, one or more carrying handles 73, an extraction handle 18, a handle recess 23 to enable a user to comfortably grasp the extraction handle 18 and an upper rim 13 to reinforce the upper edge of the vented transfer container 10. As shown in FIG. 3, an upright vented transfer container 10 is partially filled with contents 12, meaning collected debris such as leaves, pine straw, garden clippings, branches, twigs, yard waste or any other materials that typically may be placed into a known trash can. The contents 12 that are loaded into the vented transfer container 10 optionally may be compacted before transfer to a collection bag, as more fully described below.

When the vented transfer container 10 is filled and optionally compacted, as shown in FIG. 4, a collection bag 25 is pulled down over the upper rim 13 and the wall external surfaces 16 of the upright vented transfer container so that the collection bag 25 skirts the wall external surfaces 16 of container sidewalls 14 of the vented transfer container, and the bag opening 26 of the collection bag drapes down near the ground 11 with a space 29 between the container sidewall 14 and the collection bag. When the vented transfer container 10 is filled and compacted, with the container opening facing up and covered by a collection bag 25, it is tipped over onto one of the container sidewalls 14 (this position is not shown) prior to tipping it over into a fully inverted position, as shown in FIG. 5, such that the upper rim 13 of the transfer container rests on the ground 11 but inside the collection bag 25.

The vented transfer container 10 may now be grabbed by the extraction handle 18 and lifted out of the collection bag 25 as indicated by arrows 33 so that the contents 12 of the vented transfer container are released from the internal base surface 19, slide down along the wall internal surfaces 15 and drop into the collection bag. This release of the contents from the internal base surface is facilitated by vent openings 21 placed into the container base 17 and/or the container sidewalls 14 of the vented transfer container by admitting air between the contents 12, the internal base surface 19 and the wall internal surfaces 15 of the vented transfer container to break the vacuum that would typically develop without such ventilation. Suction holes 94 serve to evacuate the space 29 between the container sidewall 14 and the collection bag, as more fully described below.

To facilitate laying the filled transfer container 10 (covered by the collection bag 25) on its side to prepare for inverting it, the shape of the transfer container opening optionally has a flat side, such as a square (28C), a rectangle (28D) or a truncated circle (28E) shown in FIG. 1B. These shapes prevent the vented transfer container 10 from rolling out of position on uneven ground, and the flat side of container opening shapes 28C, 28D and 28E is a fulcrum on which the vented transfer container 10 may be raised and tipped to an inverted position with reduced effort for transferring its contents into the collection bag, as shown in FIG. 5. Such flat-sided container opening shapes 28 further facilitate filling of the transfer container 10 by permitting a user to efficiently rake debris into a transfer container from the ground when it is lying on its side, like a dustbin.

As shown in FIG. 6, the emptied transfer container 10 is extracted from the filled collection bag 25 by lifting up on the extraction handle 18 in the direction indicated by arrows 33. This is generally less strenuous and safer for a user than lifting a filled trash bag out of a known trash can 35, because the weight of the empty vented transfer container 10 typically is less than the weight of a filled bag; and because lifting up on the extraction handle 18 causes air to flow through the vent opening 21 and between the contents 12 and the wall inside surfaces 15 and internal base surfaces 19 of the vented transfer container as indicated by arrows 36, to break the vacuum, as described above. Suction holes 94 serve to evacuate the space 29 between the container sidewall 14 and the collection bag and prevent the bag from sliding to the ground.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, a series of suction holes 94 perforate the container sidewall 14 of the vented transfer container 10 near the upper rim 13. Suction holes 94 evacuate the space 29 between the outside of the container sidewalls 14 and the collection bag 25, such that the collection bag 25 is pulled against the wall external surface 16 of the container sidewall 14 in the vicinity of the upper rim 13 while the vented transfer container is being extracted from the collection bag 25 when the contents 12 are deposited into the collection bag. The suction holes 94 keep the collection bag sucked up against the container sidewalls 14 during extraction such that the bag opening 26 of the collection bag does not fall to the ground 11 but follows the upper rim 13 upward until the vented transfer container 10 has been fully extracted. The suction holes 94 prevent the contents 12 from being spilled and scattered outside of the collection bag 25 and, by keeping the open end of the collection bag upright, obviate the necessity for a user to manually hold up the bag opening 26 of the collection bag, as may be required in known methods of filling a trash bag from a trash can.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A & 7B, an alternate embodiment of a vented transfer container 10 is shown to include vent openings 21 that are covered on the inside of the vented transfer container by an internal drain cup 39 that is in the closed vent position 52 when the vented transfer container is upright and held in the closed vent position, preferably by gravity. The internal drain cup 39 prevents yard clipping, twigs, leaves, saw dust or other contents 12 from pouring out of the bottom of the vented transfer container when it is moved around and lifted up during collection and filling. Additionally, the internal drain cup 39 prevents insect infestations, retains odors and collects drainage that may drip from wet leaves, yard debris or household waste during collection and storage of debris, and it prevents the drainage from leaking out of the vent openings 21 during handling. When the vented transfer container is inverted in preparation for transfer, as shown in FIG. 7B, the internal drain cup 39 falls away from the internal base surface 19, such that the sealing flange 43 of the drain cup separates from the sealing ledge 42 exposing vent holes 21 of the vented transfer container 10 to admit air to the inside container space 27 of the vented transfer container to break the vacuum, as described above. Preferably, the internal drain cup 39 is tethered or otherwise restrained by known retaining means such as ledges, blocks, retaining rings, spring clips, straps or other means (not shown) to assure that the drain cup remains in proximity of the vent openings (closed vent position 52) and that the drain cup moves away from the vent openings 21 just far enough that they admit enough air to break the vacuum (open vent position 53) but not so far that the drain cup falls out of the inverted transfer container or is dislodged so it will not return to the closed vent position 52 upon setting the vented transfer container upright again after completing a transfer.

Optionally, the internal drain cup 39 may be replaced with an essentially flat, pliant sealing membrane (not shown), preferably die-cut or molded from neoprene, polyethylene, polypropylene or other suitable materials, to cover the vent openings 21 so that solids are prevented from falling out of the filled container. This membrane preferably is attached to the internal base surface 19 inside of the vented transfer container 10 to block the vent openings when the vented transfer container is in the upright position. The attachment of the membrane and its flexibility, preferably, are such that it is allowed to bend away from the vent openings 21 when the vented transfer container is inverted and to flex back into a sealing position when the vented transfer container is upright.

FIG. 7A also shows a sealing ledge 42, formed into the container sidewall 14 of the vented transfer container with the sealing flange 43 of the internal drain cup 39 in sealing contact with the sealing ledge to prevent debris and/or liquids or odors to exit, or vermin to enter, through the vent openings 21. FIG. 7B shows the sealing flange 43 of the internal drain cup 39 spaced away from sealing ledge 42 to admit vacuum-breaking air shown by arrows 36. Preferably, internal drain cup 39 is made from tough but flexible material such as neoprene, polypropylene, or other materials that are both water resistant and pliable enough to seal against the rigid sealing ledge 42 as shown in FIGS. 7A & 7B.

As shown in FIGS. 8A & 8B, in yet another embodiment of a vented transfer container 10 an external drain cup 51 is employed to close the vent openings 21 from the outside in the filling and handling position, i.e. the closed vent position 52, seen in FIG. 8A, where the vented transfer container 10 is shown in an inverted position. The external drain cup 51 is made from generally rigid material and fits over the base of the vented transfer container so that the sealing flange 43 of the external drain cup is seated against the sealing ledge 42 of the vented transfer container 10. One or more flexible retainers 55 made from spring steel or flexing plastic, with retaining hooks 60, are attached to the container sidewalls 14 of the vented transfer container in molded retainer recesses 59 using rivets 49 and optional reinforcement plates 58 to securely fasten retainers 55 to the vented transfer container 10. The external drain cup 51 has one or more saddles 62, corresponding with the number of retainers 55, and internal hook ledges 56 positioned to align with retainers 55. The saddles 62 cooperate with the retainers 55 and retaining hooks 60 to maintain the external drain cup 51 radially aligned with the vented transfer container so the external drain cup is free to move between a closed vent position 52, as shown in FIG. 8A, and an open vent position 53, as shown in FIG. 8B. The external drain cup 51 has a sealing flange 43 that is in sealing contact with the sealing ledge 42 in the closed vent position 52, and spaced away from the sealing ledge 42 in the open vent position 53. Known detents (not shown) may be incorporated into the saddles 62 or elsewhere on both the external drain cup 51 and the external base surface 63 of the vented transfer container 10. These detents releasably retain the external drain cup in the closed vent position 52 or the open vent position 53, respectively. Users may overcome the resistance of these detents to urge the external drain cup 51 in and out of the respective vent positions 52, 53, described above. The external drain cup may be removed for cleaning by releasing it from the retainers 55. Preferably, extraction handles 18 are attached to the external drain cup 51 to improve stability of the vented transfer container 10 during filling and compacting, and as a convenient extraction handle to extract the vented transfer container from the collection bag. During filling, when the vented transfer container 10 is in upright position, the weight of both the container and the contents urge the external drain cup into its seal position where the detents retain it temporarily. Upon inverting the vented transfer container 10, a user typically pulls up on the extraction handles 18, in the direction indicated by arrows 33, to extract the vented transfer container from the collection bag. Pulling up on the extraction handles 18, as described above, will overcome the retaining ability of the detents so that the external drain cup 51 is shifted out of the closed vent position 52 and to the open vent position 53 to open the vent openings so vacuum-breaking air is admitted into the internal container space 27, as described above. The retaining hooks 60 of retainers 55, cooperating with the hook ledges 56, assure that the external drain cup 51 remains positioned to be returned to the closed vent position 52 when the extraction handles 18 and external drain cup 51 are again pushed into contact with the vented transfer container 10. Preferably, vent closure projections 57 on the inside bottom of the external drain cup 51 cooperate with the vent openings 21 in the container base 17 of the vented transfer container to provide an additional seal to close the vent openings 21 so contents and odors are prevented from seeping out of the bottom of the vented transfer container 10 during filling and handling.

Still another alternative embodiment of a vented transfer container 10 is shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10 and 11, and can be seen to include multiple, generally concentric walls that comprise outer vent channels 100 and inner vent channels 89 having outside vent openings 110 on the outside of the container and inner vent openings 90 on the inside of the container. The inner vent channels 89 and outer vent channels 100 are interconnected in a cross-over area 44 near the upper rim 13 of the vented transfer container 10 such that they form siphon-like tubes that conduct the vent air that is taken in from the outside of the vented transfer container near its base 17 and deliver the air to the inside volume 66 of the vented transfer container near the bottom cup 97 of the ribbed core, as indicated by dotted lines and arrows 36. The vent channels 89 and 100 that are interconnected in the cross-over area 44, above the fill level 96 to which the vented transfer container can be filled, rendering the vented transfer container leak-proof so that wet materials, and even slurries, liquids or granular materials, may be collected in the vented transfer container without risk of leakage, as further described below.

The vented transfer container 10 of this alternative embodiment comprises a ribbed core 80 with tapered sidewalls 82 that are connected to a leak-proof bottom cup 97 to form a container with a height approximately equal to the ribbed core height 88. The vented transfer container also comprises a liner shroud 81 with a top rim 116 that has tapered shroud walls 102 and 103 extending from the inner and outer edges 112 and 113, respectively, of the top rim 116. The ribbed core 80 and the liner shroud 81 are generally coaxial, with the central axis 79 of the ribbed core and the central axis 101 of the liner shroud in alignment, and have tapered side walls 82, 102 and 103 such that the ribbed core and the liner shroud can be stacked together to form a leak-proof, multi-walled structure.

The ribbed core 80 and the liner shroud 81 are retained in coaxial and fully engaged relationship by handles 73 that may be inserted through handle cutouts 114 near the top rim 116 of the liner shroud 81 and the top edge 85 of the ribbed core 80. Handles 73 are releasably retained by known retaining tabs, screws, or other known fastening means (not shown), enabling users to easily disassemble the multi-wall structure of the vented transfer container for cleaning, and to easily reassemble it using the handles 73 for alignment and retention.

The tapered sidewalls 82 of the ribbed core 80 taper outward from the leak-proof bottom cup 97 toward the top edge 85 of the ribbed core 80 resulting in a leak-proof vessel with a ribbed core height 88. The tapered sidewalls 82 of the ribbed core 80 have radially-arranged ribs 86 and 87 that are generally parallel to the ribbed core central axis 79. The inner ribs 86 are arranged on the inside surface 83 of the tapered sidewall 82 of the ribbed core 80 and face inward, and inner ribs 86 taper outward from the bottom cup 97 toward the top edge 85 with a taper that generally matches that of the inner shroud wall 102 of the liner shroud 81. The inner ribs 86 have an inner rib length 93, which is approximately equal to the ribbed core height 88. The outer ribs 87 are arranged on the outside surface 84 of tapered sidewall 82 of the ribbed core 80 facing outward, and they taper outward from the top edge 85 toward the bottom cup 97 of the ribbed core with a taper that generally matches the taper of the outer shroud wall 103 of the liner shroud 81. The outer ribs 87 have an outer rib length 118. The inner and outer ribs 86 and 87, respectively, and the tapered sidewalls 82 of the ribbed core 80, in conjunction with the shroud walls 102 and 103 of the liner shroud 81, form the vent channels 89 and 100, as further described below. The inner rib projection 70 of the inner ribs 86 that projects beyond the tapered sidewall 82 of the ribbed core 80 may be small, such as ¼ inch to ½ inch, but it may be larger or smaller, to allow ample air flow through the resulting inner vent channels 89 to break the vacuum in the vented transfer container 10. The outer rib projection 71 of the outer ribs 87 that projects beyond the tapered sidewall 82 of the ribbed core 80 also may be small, such as ¼ inch to ½ inch, but also may be larger or smaller. The taper of the outer ribs 87 typically extends outward from the top edge 85 toward the outer wall bottom edge 109 such that the outer ribs conform to the taper of the outer shroud wall 103. The resulting vent channels 89, 100 allow ample airflow to break the vacuum in the vented transfer container 10 and also to provide structural support for the shroud walls 103 and 102 of the liner shroud 81. The inner ribs 86 extend from the top edge 85 of the ribbed core 80 to the bottom cup 97 of the ribbed core 80. The outer ribs 87 extend from the top edge 85 of the ribbed core 80 toward the bottom cup 97 and have an outer rib length 118, which, preferably, approximately equals the outer shroud wall length 119 of the liner shroud 81. The inner shroud wall length 119 of the inner shroud wall 102 is shorter than the inner rib length 93 which leaves a gap between the bottom cup 97 and the inner wall bottom edge 108 to form the inner vent opening 90. The top edge 85 of the ribbed core 80 preferably has crossover notches 92 that provide a crossover between inner and outer vent channels 89 and 100 in the crossover area 44. The ribbed core 80 has an inside volume 93.

The liner shroud 81 has an top rim 116 and a tapered inner shroud wall 102 with an inner shroud wall length 120 depending from the inner diameter of the inner rim edge 112 of the top rim 116, and a tapered outer shroud wall 103 with a outer shroud wall length 119 depending from the outer diameter of the outer edge rim 113 of the top rim. The divergent tapers of the shroud walls 102, 103 match the tapers on the inner and outer ribs 86 and 87 of the ribbed core 80 such that the ribbed core is in a mated relationship with the liner shroud 81 to provide generally sealed vent channels 89 and 100 between the ribbed core and the liner shroud.

Inner vent openings 90 and outside vent openings 110 are positioned near the base 17 of the vented transfer container but on opposite sides of tapered sidewall 82 of the ribbed core 80, and the vent channels 89 and 100 are connected in the cross-over area 44, in an analogous manner of a siphon tube looping over the rim of a vessel, above the fill level 96 to which a liquid could rise inside the ribbed core 80 of the vented transfer container 10.

The vent channels 89 and 100 cross from the outside to the inside of the vented transfer container 10 in the cross-over area 44, and the cross-over area is located near the top rim 116 of the of the liner shroud 81 of the vented transfer container, such that the inside volume 66 of the vented transfer container 10 may be filled with liquid to the fill level 96 at the cross-over notches 92 near the top rim 116 without any leakage occurring. Upon inverting the vented transfer container 10 to transfer contents 12 to a collection bag 25 with a transfer bag draped over the vented transfer container 10, as described above, drainage or other liquids that may have collected in the bottom cup 97 of the ribbed core 80 of the vented transfer container will dump into the collection bag 25, together with any other contents 12, yet the vacuum that typically develops between the contents 12 (especially when wet) and the bottom cup 97 will be broken by air supplied through the vent channels 89 and 100, as indicated by dotted lines and arrows 36. Alternatively, vent channels 89 and 100 may also be formed by tubes (not shown) looped over the upper rim 13.

Bottom edge 109 of the outer wall 103 of the liner shroud 81 is thus spaced away from the base 17 of the vented transfer container 10 to allow air to be admitted from the outside vent openings 110 and conducted to the inner vent openings 90. Extraction handles 18, preferably, are attached between two adjoining outer ribs 87 to which they attached through rib holes 74 with screws or other known fasteners so that attachment means may be hidden in the outer vent channels 100, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The various embodiments described in this specification include several different extraction handles 18 that are placed at or near the container base 17 of the vented transfer container 10. As anyone versed in the art of molding or otherwise manufacturing trash cans or other containers will appreciate, many alternative handles, including the handles shown in FIGS. 1-9, may generally be used interchangeably, and alternative handles that enable the inverted vented transfer container 10 to be conveniently extracted from the collection bag 25 and allow the vented transfer container to stand securely on the ground during filling, but are not described in this specification, are considered within the scope of this invention.

As used in this specification, the method of transferring yard and household waste from a vented transfer container to a collection bag involves six steps: 1) positioning a vented transfer container on the ground with its base down and its upper rim and opening facing up so it can be filled; 2) filling a vented transfer container and compacting the contents therein while the vented transfer container remains upright; 3) pulling a collection bag over the upper rim of the transfer container when it is full so that the bag skirts the transfer container; 4) inverting the transfer container, while its opening is shrouded by the collection bag, by first tipping it on its side and then tipping it into the inverted position so that the collection bag, and the upper rim of the container inside of the collection bag, rest on the ground, and the contents of the vented transfer container drop away from its inside surfaces and into the collection bag; 5) lifting the vented transfer container up and out of the collection bag by extraction handles incorporated into its base until the container is empty and ready for a new use cycle; and 6) closing the collection bag when filled and set aside for disposal.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a yard debris collection method and apparatus that facilitates the filling of a vented transfer container wherein the contents are compacted yet allows easy transfer to a light weight collection bag without undue maneuverings, strain and heavy lifting by a user. Further the present invention provides a yard debris collection method and apparatus that has openings positioned in a manner that prevents a vacuum from forming between the collection apparatus, the contents and the collection bag, yet minimizes spillage of the yard waste, such as leaves and clippings, through these openings while transporting or moving the vented transfer container. For these reasons, the present invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vented debris transfer container comprising:

a container base;

a container side wall extending upwardly from the container base, the side wall and container base cooperating to form a debris cavity therein; and

a plurality of vent holes formed in the container base, wherein said vent holes allow air to enter the debris cavity when said transfer container is inverted.

2. The vented debris transfer container of claim 1, further comprising:

a second plurality of vent holes formed in said container side wall proximate a top edge thereof.

3. The vented debris transfer container of claim 2, wherein said second plurality of vent holes evacuate air from a space created between an exterior surface of the container sidewall and a collection bag that is placed there over when said transfer container is inverted and withdrawn from said collection bag.

4. The vented debris transfer container of claim 1, further comprising:

an extraction handle on said container base.

5. The vented debris transfer container of claim 4, wherein said extraction handle is affixed within a recess formed in said container base such that said handle does not extend beyond the plane of said container base.

6. The vented debris transfer container of claim 4, wherein said handle is formed integrally with said container base.

7. The vented debris transfer container of claim 4, wherein said handle is formed as a ridge in said side wall proximate the location where said side wall meets said base.

8. The vented debris transfer container of claim 1, further comprising:

a valving arrangement disposed adjacent said plurality of vent holes formed in the container base, said valving arrangement covering said vent holes when said container is upright and opening to allow air to flow freely through said vent holes when said container is inverted.

9. The vented debris transfer container of claim 8, wherein said valving arrangement is removable from said container.

10. The vented debris transfer container of claim 8, further comprising:

a second plurality of vent holes formed in said container side wall proximate a top edge thereof.

11. The vented debris transfer container of claim 10, wherein said second plurality of vent holes evacuate air from a space created between an exterior surface of the container sidewall and a collection bag that is placed there over when said transfer container is inverted and withdrawn from said collection bag.

12. The vented debris container of claim 8, said valving arrangement further comprising:

a flat sheet of pliant material installed within said debris cavity adjacent an interior surface of said container base.

13. The vented debris container of claim 8, said valving arrangement further comprising:

a drain cup installed within said debris cavity adjacent an interior surface of said container base.

14. The vented debris container of claim 13, further comprising:

a ridge in said container sidewall that extends into said debris cavity and cooperates with an upwardly extending wall of said drain cup to seal said vents when said container is upright, wherein said drip cup is displaced away from said container base by a lifting force applied thereto when said container is inverted, opening said vents to allow air to flow therethrough.

15. The vented debris container of claim 8, said valving arrangement further comprising:

a drain cup installed about an exterior surface of said container base.

16. The vented debris container of claim 15, further comprising:

a tapered portion at the base of said container sidewall that receives a complementary tapered drain cup to seal said vents when said container is upright, wherein said drip cup is displaced away from said container base by a lifting force when said container is inverted and lifted, opening said vents to allow air to flow therethrough.

17. A vented debris transfer container comprising:

a container base;

a container side wall extending upwardly from the container base, the side wall and container base cooperating to form a debris cavity therein; and

a liner shroud having interior and exterior walls that are affixed to one another at a top edge forming a venting cavity therebetween, said liner shroud received over said container side wall such that said container side wall resides between said interior and exterior walls of said liner shroud,

wherein air enters the cavity of said liner shroud between said exterior wall of said liner shroud and an exterior surface of said container sidewall and flows into the debris cavity from an opening between said interior wall of said liner shroud and an interior surface of said container sidewall when said transfer container is inverted.

18. The vented debris transfer container of claim 17, further comprising:

a plurality of vent holes formed in said liner shroud proximate a top edge thereof.

19. The vented debris transfer container of claim 18, wherein said second plurality of vent holes evacuate air from a space created between an exterior surface of the liner shroud and a collection bag that is placed thereover when said transfer container is inverted and withdrawn from said collection bag.

20. The vented debris transfer container of claim 17, further comprising:

ribs extending outwardly from an exterior surface of said container side wall to stiffen said sidewall and support the exterior wall of said liner shroud.