Portable waste receptacle/dustpan

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a waste collection device. The device has a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, and a back side. The bottom side has a first front ridge and a second back ridge. The back side has a plurality of holes. In one aspect, at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right sides extends beyond the back, and at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right sides has a slot into which a scraper can be inserted behind the back side to block at least a portion of the plurality of holes. The back side can connect to the bottom side horizontally closer to the second back ridge than where the back side connects to the top. Also disclosed is a base which interfaces with the waste collection device. Other desirable variations are also disclosed herein.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to waste collection and more specifically to portable dustpans and various accessories thereto.

2. Introduction

Current approaches to waste collection have some serious problems. For example, traditional trash cans are rounded and, if tipped on their side, do not provide an easy way to deposit refuse. A dustpan, such as those often used with brooms, allows for easy collection of small amounts of refuse, but have a very small capacity. What is needed in the art is a way to more easily and efficiently collect refuse of all types, including solids as well as liquids such as oil, hazardous chemicals, water, and so forth.

SUMMARY

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth herein.

Disclosed herein is a waste collection device. The device has a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, and a back side. The bottom side has a first front ridge and a second back ridge. The back side has a plurality of holes. In one aspect, at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right sides extends beyond the back, and at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right sides has a slot into which a scraper can be inserted behind the back side to block at least a portion of the plurality of holes. The back side can connect to the bottom side horizontally closer to the second back ridge than where the back side connects to the top. In one variation, at least two of the top, bottom, left, and right sides extends beyond the back side to form feet to support the device in a vertical position. The left and right sides can include connectors beyond the back side for interfacing with a base. The base can be a drainpan with handles and a spout. The base can include at least one protrusion which passes through at least one of the plurality of holes when the device interfaces with the base in a first interface position and the protrusions touch the back side in a second interface position.

The device can include a separate, attachable and detachable beveled front extension, which may be a separate accessory. The bottom side can include one or more connector compatible with the beveled front extension such that the beveled front extension fastens, clicks, or otherwise temporarily attaches with the device. The beveled front extension can include side extension portions for the left side and/or the right side. The front extension can raise a front edge of the bottom side when connected or attached to the bottom side. The device can be configured such that a rear portion of the bottom side is angled to be horizontal and optionally make full or substantially full contact with a supporting horizontal surface such as a floor or ground surface when the front extension raises the front edge of the bottom side. The beveled front extension can include at least one support which fits under the bottom side.

In one embodiment, the left side and the bottom side can be at a substantially 90 degree angle and the right side and bottom side are at a substantially 90 degree angle. The front edge of the top side can be recessed. One purpose for this recessed area is to allow a user to reach the handle of a broom or other cleaning implement further into the body of the device. The front edge of the top side can have a lip which can reinforce the top side as well as provide a form of handle for ease of use. The lip can also extend to at least a portion of the front edge of the left side and/or right side. Other desirable variations are also disclosed herein.

Some advantageous cleaning applications for this device include industrial, janitorial, office cleaning, retail maintenance, yard waste, and other similar cleaning needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the principles briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 2A illustrates a first view of a first alternate handle for the top front edge of the exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 2B illustrates a second view of a first alternate handle for the top front edge of the exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 2C illustrates a third view of a first alternate handle for the top front edge of the exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 2A-1 illustrates a first view of a second alternate handle for the top front edge of the exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 2B-1 illustrates a second view of a second alternate handle for the top front edge of the exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 2C-1 illustrates a third view of a second alternate handle for the top front edge of the exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away view of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a base for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a base of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 5B illustrates an alternate side view of a base of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 5C illustrates a top view of a base of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of a front attachment for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of a front attachment for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 6B illustrates a first front view of a front attachment for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 6C illustrates a second front view of a front attachment for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of an alternate front attachment for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of a scraper for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of a scraper for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 7C illustrates a side view of a front edge of a scraper for an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 7-1 illustrates a second sample scraper for use with an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 7A-1 illustrates a top view of a second sample scraper;

FIG. 7B-1 illustrates a first side view of a second sample scraper;

FIG. 7C-1 illustrates a second side view of second sample scraper;

FIG. 8 is an interior photograph of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 9 is a photograph of a sample base for use with an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 10 is a photograph of a first configuration of a bottom of an exemplary waste receptacle that interfaces with a sample base;

FIG. 11 is a photograph of a second configuration of a bottom of an exemplary waste receptacle that interfaces with a sample base;

FIG. 12 is a photograph of an exemplary waste receptacle with a trash bag;

FIG. 13 is a photograph of view of compressing waste in an exemplary waste receptacle using an exemplary base;

FIG. 14 is a photograph of an exemplary waste receptacle with a trash bag and a front attachment;

FIG. 15 is a photograph of an exemplary waste receptacle with a trash bag;

FIG. 16 is a photograph of the side an exemplary waste receptacle with a front attachment attached;

FIG. 17 is a photograph of a front view of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 18 is a photograph of a side view of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 19 is a photograph of rear bottom view of a front attachment of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 20 is a photograph of an alternate rear bottom view of a front attachment of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 21 is a photograph of a top view of a front attachment of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 22 is a photograph of a scraper being inserted into an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 23 is a photograph of a front view of an upright exemplary waste receptacle resting on an exemplary base;

FIG. 24 is a photograph of a back view of an upright exemplary waste receptacle resting on an exemplary base;

FIG. 25 is a photograph of a top view of a base of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 26 is a photograph of an internal view of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 27 is a photograph of a top rear view of an exemplary waste receptacle with a scraper inserted;

FIG. 28 is a photograph of a top rear view of an exemplary waste receptacle with a scraper removed;

FIG. 29 is a photograph of a top side view of an exemplary waste receptacle with a scraper removed;

FIG. 30 is a photograph of side bottom view of an exemplary waste receptacle;

FIG. 31 is a photograph of a second side bottom view of an exemplary waste receptacle; and

FIG. 32 is a photograph of an exemplary waste receptacle, base, scraper, and front attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure addresses the need in the art for an improved way to collect refuse, waste, dust, trash, and other similar material. The multi-purpose waste collection device disclosed herein meets these needs. The multi-purpose waste collection device includes, as shown and described more fully below, a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, and a back side. The bottom side has a first front ridge and a second back ridge, and the back side has a plurality of holes. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an exemplary waste receptacle. In one aspect, the back side connects to the bottom side horizontally closer to the second back ridge than where the back side connects to the top. This is illustrated in FIG. 3 by the dashed line representing part of the back wall connecting closer to the ridges than the top of the back wall. FIG. 3 further shows another variation in which at least two of the top, bottom, left, and right sides extend beyond the back side to form feet to support the device in a vertical position. The angles and measurements in FIG. 3 and the other figures are illustrative only. Other suitable configurations consistent with the description and discussion herein are within the scope of this disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the exemplary waste receptacle. FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary waste receptacle.

The waste receptacle can be made of one or more material, such as plastic, rubber, cardboard, reinforced cardboard, metal, ceramics, glass, baked clay, fabric on a rigid frame, or wood. The selection of specific materials can depend on the size of the receptacle, the type of intended job, the desired durability, cost, weight, and other factors. In one aspect, the waste receptacle is a single piece, the scraper is a single piece, the base is a single piece, and the front attachment is a single piece. In one variation, the waste receptacle is a collection of pieces which can be assembled and disassembled.

When laying horizontally on the ground, the receptacle allows a user to sweep, push, or scoop dust, debris, and other refuse into the interior cavity of the receptacle. The ridges in the bottom in a horizontal position of the receptacle prevent the dust or debris from coming back out. The front bottom edge of the receptacle is angled in a manner similar to a dustpan such that dust and debris can be neatly collected into the receptacle.

In one variation, the receptacle includes a slot into which a scraper can be inserted behind the back wall. The slot can be in one or more of the top, bottom, left, and right sides which extends beyond the back wall to block at least a portion of holes in the back wall. The holes allow for matter to exit the receptacle from within the interior. FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7-1, 7A-1, 7B-1, 7C-1, 22, 27, 28, and 29 illustrate various views of the scraper and how the scraper interacts with the receptacle. FIG. 7 shows an example scraper. The scraper can be a sheet of metal with a rubber, plastic, or wooden handle, can be a single piece of rigid plastic, or can be any other single material or combination of materials. The scraper serves a dual purpose of scraping stuck items from a floor, the interior of the receptacle, or other surfaces, as well as blocking holes in the receptacle back wall when inserted into the slot. FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate different views of the scraper. FIG. 7-1 illustrates an alternate example scraper. This variation includes a threaded hole in to which a handle can be screwed to extend the reach of the scraper so that a user can scrape items off the floor without reaching down too far or getting on hands and knees. FIGS. 11 and 22 illustrate inserting the scraper into the receptacle. The scraper can be inserted fully or partially to block all or some of the holes in the back wall. FIGS. 10 and 27 show the scraper fully inserted into the slot in the receptacle. FIG. 28 shows a similar view of the receptacle with the scraper removed.

The receptacle can interface with a base to stand in a vertical position. The left and right sides of the receptacle can include connectors beyond the back side for interfacing with the base. FIG. 5 illustrates one example configuration for such a base. FIGS. 5A-5C and 25 illustrate the base from different angles. FIG. 9 is a photograph of a sample base for use with the receptacle, including the connectors for interfacing with the receptacle as well as the protrusions discussed below. The base can also serve as a drainpan to catch draining waste fluids from the receptacle. As a drainpan, the base can include handles and a spout, such as a spout formed out of one or more corner. The base can include one or more protrusion which passes through the plurality of holes when the receptacle is resting on the base. These protrusions can be spikes, screws, poles, or other protrusions. The protrusions can be regular shapes, i.e. cylindrical, ovoid rods, rectangles, etc. In one aspect the protrusions have irregular ends. One purpose for such protrusions is to raise solid matter collected in the receptacle to allow liquids to drain out more easily. Part of the receptacle can rest on one or more protrusion, thereby providing additional support for the receptacle. In one embodiment, the base is structured as a dual purpose tool for compressing waste in the receptacle, as shown in FIG. 13. FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate the waste receptacle resting on an exemplary base.

A front extension can lengthen the front part of the receptacle to provide additional range, better guide liquids into the receptacle, provide a better angle for collecting debris, increase the holding capacity of the receptacle for liquids, and/or protect the receptacle against wear. FIG. 6 illustrates a view of one example front attachment. FIGS. 6A-6C show different angles and aspects of the example front attachment. FIG. 14 shows the receptacle with a trash bag to collect and easily dispose of hazardous liquids, for example, and the front attachment and FIG. 17 shows the receptacle without a trash bag and the front attachment. The sides of the front attachment in this example rise up to guide debris into the interior of the receptacle. FIG. 16 shows a close up view of how, in one embodiment, the front attachment raises and supports the front edge of the receptacle when the two are attached. FIG. 18 shows a zoomed out side view of the front attachment connected to the receptacle. FIGS. 19 and 20 show a back view of the front attachment, including supports for raising the front edge of the receptacle when the two are attached. FIG. 21 shows a top view of a front attachment of an exemplary waste receptacle by itself. In one variation, multiple front attachments of different sizes, shapes, and materials are available for different purposes, such as collecting liquids, small particles, large debris, paper, and so forth.

The bottom side of the receptacle and the front extension can include compatible connectors for easy attachment and detachment while still remaining connected for use. The front extension or attachment can include side extension portions for the left side and the right sides. In one embodiment, when the front extension is attached to the receptacle, an angled portion at the rear of the receptacle is made to be horizontal to prevent the receptacle from slipping. The angled portion of the rear can include a grippy, non-slip surface coating or material. The front extension can raise the height of the front edge to prevent contained liquid from splashing out of the receptacle as the receptacle is moved around.

In one variation, to better accommodate the action of a broom or similar implement sweeping or scooping waste or other material into the receptacle, the top edge of the receptacle is curved inward or angled inward. A first curved embodiment of this approach is shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and a second angled embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2A-1, 2B-1, 2C1. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A-1, the straight edges allow a user to clean stuck materials from the scraper by scraping the scraper along the straight edges. The inward recess allows for a broom handle to extend further into the cavity of the receptacle and allow a user to sweep debris or waste further into the receptacle. The front edge of the top side can include a lip and/or handle also as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2B-1. The lip or handle can extend along one or more portion of the front edge or along the entire front edge. The lip can include reinforced sections to accommodate the stress and strain of being picked up by the handle.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away view of the exemplary waste receptacle on its side. FIGS. 8 and 26 are interior photographs of the exemplary waste receptacle from the front view with the receptacle on its side. Of note in these figures are the notches on the front bottom edge of the receptacle which interface with the front attachment or extension. Other variations exist for interfacing the attachment or extension to the receptacle, such as grooves, snaps, magnets, notches, latches, buckles, velcro, and other suitable connection means. FIGS. 12 and 15 are photographs of the exemplary waste receptacle with a trash bag.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are photographs of two side bottom views of the receptacle. These views show that the bottom of the receptacle can include bumps, ridges, thicker portions, or nubs which raise the bottom slightly off the floor or ground. In one embodiment these bumps are non-slip so that the receptacle is stationary while collecting waste or other matter in the receptacle. In other embodiments the bumps are lower friction to allow for easy gliding along a smooth surface such as linoleum, concrete, or tile. In yet other embodiments the bumps are made of the same substance as the rest of the receptacle and simply serve to provide a first point of contact with the floor. This approach leads to the bumps wearing down first, as they are in contact with the floor or ground directly, which prevents wear and tear to the receptacle body and thereby extends the life of the receptacle. These views show multiple different views of the receptacle as described above.

FIG. 32 is a photograph of an exemplary waste receptacle and accessories such as the base, scraper, and front attachment. These elements can be packaged for use as a set or separately. In one aspect, the receptacle includes hooks, molded shapes included in the body of the receptacle, or other means of attaching one or more accessory. Other variations exist beyond the accessories shown here. For example, different bases can serve different purposes, such as a base for liquids, a base for fine particles, a base for regular mixed-type trash, etc. Different front attachments can be designed with high sides for collecting liquids, or a steeper angle for collecting large objects.

The receptacle can be used in a horizontal or a vertical position. In a horizontal position the receptacle is suited for a user to sweep or shovel debris or liquids into the receptacle. In a vertical position, the receptacle can stand on its own or can stand in the base. The receptacle can be used with or without a trash bag. In one aspect, the base is used to compress loosely packed debris in the receptacle when in a vertical position. The scraper can be used to clean surfaces on the receptacle itself or other surfaces, such as a wall or floor.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the principles described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A waste collection device, the device comprising:

a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, and a back side, wherein the bottom side has a first front ridge and a second back ridge, and wherein the back side has a plurality of holes.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right sides extends beyond the back, and wherein at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right sides has a slot into which a scraper can be inserted behind the back side to block at least a portion of the plurality of holes.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the back side connects to the bottom side horizontally closer to the second back ridge than where the back side connects to the top.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least two of the top, bottom, left, and right sides extends beyond the back side to form feet to support the device in a vertical position.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the left and right sides include connectors beyond the back side for interfacing with the base

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the base is a drainpan with handles and a spout.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the base includes at least one protrusion which passes through at least one of the plurality of holes when the device interfaces with the base in a first interface position.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the protrusions touch the back side in a second interface position.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a detachable beveled front extension.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the bottom side and the front extension include compatible connectors.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the front extension includes side extension portions for the left side and the right side.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the front extension raises a front edge of the bottom side when connected to the bottom side.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein a rear portion of the bottom side is angled to be horizontal when the front extension raises the front edge of the bottom side.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the front extension includes at least one support which fits under the bottom side.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the left side and the bottom side are at a substantially 90 degree angle and the right side and bottom side are at a substantially 90 degree angle.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein a front edge of the top side is recessed.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the front edge of the top side has a lip.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a front edge of the left side and right side has a lip.

19. A base, comprising:

a bottom and four or more connected sides, wherein at least one of the sides interfaces with a waste collection device having a top side, a bottom side, a left side, a right side, and a back side, wherein the bottom side has a first front ridge and a second back ridge, and wherein the back side has a plurality of holes.