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United States Patent Application	20050230572
Kind Code	A1
Fisher, Jack D.	October 20, 2005

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus to releasably support a liner, the apparatus comprising: a body having a top opening and a bottom opening, the area of the top opening being less than the area of the bottom opening, and the body gradually sloping inward from the bottom opening to the top opening, the body configured to receive a liner, wherein the liner is longer in length than the body; and a base releasably attachable to the body at the bottom opening, an inner surface of the base configured to provide support to a bottom of the liner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is conical-shaped.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lid releasably attachable to the body at the top opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising clips attached to an outer surface of the body, configured to secure upper edges of the liner to the body.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body attaches to the base via clasps.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body screws onto the base to the secure the body to the base.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body attaches to the base via friction.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one foot rest protruding outward from the base, configured to allow a user to stand on the foot rest while the user lifts the body therefrom.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body angles inward on the outside surface, from the bottom opening to the top opening, at more than 90 degrees, with respect to the base.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the body angles on the outside surface inward at about 110 degrees with respect to the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liner holds laundry.

12. An apparatus to protect and support a liner, comprising: a body having a top opening and a bottom opening, the area of the top opening being less than the area of the bottom opening, the body configured to be inserted into a liner, bottom end first; a base, releasably attached to the bottom opening of the body, configured to hold the liner between the base and a bottom lip of the body; and a securing device for attaching the base to the body, wherein the attaching device is configured to contain the liner within a zone of the body.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises handles attached to the body, and wherein the handles remain accessible even with the liner attached to the body.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body is cone-shaped.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising clips attached to an outer surface of the body, configured to secure upper edges of the trash bag to the body.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the securing device is selected from the group consisting of clasps, friction, and screws.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base comprises at least one foot rest protruding outward from the base, configured to allow a user to stand on the foot rest while the user lifts the body therefrom.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body angles inward from the bottom opening to the top opening at more than 90 degrees with respect to the base.

19. A method for using an apparatus to support and protect a liner comprising the steps of: providing a body with a top opening and a bottom opening; inserting the bottom opening into an opening of the liner; gathering the opening of the liner and sides of the liner about the bottom opening of the body; attaching a base to the bottom opening with a securing device; securing the liner and sides of the liner to a lower portion of the body; filling the body with objects; when filled, removing the base and allowing the objects to move from the body to the liner; and removing the body from inside of the liner.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the sides of the liner are secured to the lower portion of the body with the same securing device that is used to attach the base to the body.

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Description

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CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/561,969 entitled "Easy Empty Trash/Garbage Receptacle" and filed on Apr. 14, 2004 for Jack D. Fisher.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to storage containers. More particularly, the invention relates to containers that facilitate the removal of liners, such as trash bags, within the container and that protect the liner from tearing and punctures.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] When utilizing a garbage can to support a plastic garbage bag having a peripheral end portion folded over the top edge of the can, the bag generally adheres to the sidewall of the can even when it is only partially loaded. It is thus often difficult to withdraw the bag due to the adherence thereof to the can sidewall as well as to the vacuum which is created between the bottom of the bag and that of the can when the bag is pulled out of the can. On the other hand, one can hardly do without a garbage can or the like to support a garbage bag since the bag itself has no body as such and is therefore not self-supporting, and without external support the bag can be loaded only with great difficulty.

[0006] Moreover, when using the bags outdoors for the disposal of scrap pieces of wood, small rocks, and the like, particular care must be taken during the loading in order to prevent such sharp objects from piercing the bags. In addition, the presence of sharp objects does not permit the garbage to be compressed inside the bag since otherwise the latter would pierce, thus resulting in one not being able to load the bag to its full capacity. The same also applies to indoor use as household rubbish generally includes sharp items such as pizza boxes, broken glass, open cans, and the like.

[0007] Many garbage cans have attempted to overcome the deficiencies above with garbage cans that incorporate air tubes, or air holes to decrease the amount of vacuum created when one pulls the trash bag from the garbage can. Others have created collapsible garbage cans that unwrap from the garbage bag. These garbage cans suffer from additional deficiencies. First, holes formed into the garbage cans decrease the garbage can strength and liquids and smells may begin to seep therefrom. Secondly, collapsible garbage cans lack the structural integrity to adequately hold trash bags at full capacity as the collapsible garbage cans may unintentionally unwrap. Bag support devices have also been used to protect garbage bags from punctures. The bag support devices have been described as taller than the garbage bags, they use awkward, elongated handles, and because the garbage bag is pulled over the entire length of the bag support device, the garbage bag is still left unprotected from external hazards, such as bushes, shrubs, thorns, etc.

[0008] From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus and method that facilitates the removal and protection of a liner from the container. Additionally, there is a need for a more stable apparatus that is easier to clean, has a greater capacity and that can capture spills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available liner supports. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus and method for releasably providing liner support that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.

[0010] The apparatus, in one embodiment, is configured to releasably support a liner. The apparatus includes a body and a base. The base includes a top opening and a bottom opening, with the area of the top opening being less than the area of the bottom opening, which advantageously enhances the stability of the apparatus. Further, because top opening is smaller than the base, advantageously, material spilled on the outside surface of the apparatus will be more likely to rest in the base, instead of on the floor around the apparatus. For example, a liquid would flow down the exterior surface of the apparatus to the base instead of dripping on the floor.

[0011] Additionally, the body gradually slopes inward from the bottom opening to the top opening. The body is configured to receive the liner, which includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a bottom. Advantageously, the apparatus may provide for easy removal of the liner, wherein separation of the apparatus from the liner does not involve significant vacuum forces as in conventional trash cans and liners. In one embodiment, the liner removably fits inside the body to protect the body from direct contact with soiled objects. This advantageously allows one to fit considerably more material inside the apparatus by compressing the material with forces which may otherwise damage the liner. This adds a further advantage wherein fewer liners are needed for the same amount of material. The liner is longer in length than the body to allow the liner to wrap around the top opening of the body. The base releasably attaches to the body at the bottom opening, which advantageously makes the apparatus easier to clean, avoiding odors, germs, and pests, an advantage especially important for uses such as in hospitals. The inner surface of the base supports the bottom of the liner.

[0012] In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to store trash. The body may be any shape or size, and may include a lid. Clips may be used to attach the liner to the body.

[0013] The apparatus, in another embodiment, is advantageously configured to protect the liner from puncture. Specifically, the body protects the liner from puncture when the bottom opening is inserted into the liner first. The base attaches to the body, thus trapping the liner between the base and a lower lip of the body. Securing devices hold the liner in a generally fixed zone about the body to prevent the liner from snagging twigs, limbs, etc. Additionally, the handles remain uncovered to allow easy movement of the apparatus.

[0014] A method of the present invention is also presented for providing support to the liner. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a body with a top opening having less area than a bottom opening, the body gradually sloping from the bottom opening to the top opening, inserting the bottom opening into an opening of the garbage bag, gathering the opening of the garbage bag and sides of the garbage bag about the bottom opening of the body, attaching a base to the bottom opening with a securing device, securing the garbage bag and sides of the garbage bag to a lower portion of the body, filling the body with objects, when filled, removing the base and letting contents drop into the liner, and removing the body from the liner.

[0015] The method may also include the step of securing the garbage bag sides to the lower portion of the body with the same securing device that is used to attach the base to the body.

[0016] Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0017] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

[0018] These features and advantages 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 hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an exploded, front, and perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a liner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate side views of apparatus bases according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an exploded, front, and perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a liner with a wheel assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an exploded, front, and perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a liner with another embodiment of a wheel assembly;

[0024] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an exploded, front, and perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a liner having an octagonal shape according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an exploded, front, and perspective view of a rectangular shaped apparatus for supporting a liner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate an exploded, front, and perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a liner, which opens from a side to expose the liner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate an exploded, front, and perspective view of an apparatus for supporting a liner, which splits in half to expose the liner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate a method of removing a body of the apparatus to fill the liner according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0029] FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate a method of using a body of the apparatus to protect the liner according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0031] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0032] FIGS. 1A-1C depict an apparatus 10 for supporting a liner 22, such as a trash bag or a laundry bag. The apparatus 10 may be used to store any kind of object or material such as trash, laundry, leaves, rocks, dirt, branches, etc. Accordingly, the apparatus 10 may be a trash can, a laundry basket, or a storage bin, or other type of container. For explanation purposes, and not to be taken as limiting in its application, the apparatus 10 will be described as a trash can 10 for storing trash, generally, trash commonly removed from a home or yard.

[0033] In one embodiment, the trash can 10 comprises a body 12, a base 14, and a cover, or lid 16. The body 12 includes a top opening 18 and a bottom opening 20 with the area of the top opening 18 being less than the area of the bottom opening 20. The body 12 gradually slopes inward from the bottom opening 20 to the top opening 18 to create a funnel, or conical shaped body 12. A bottom lip 21 does not slope inwardly towards the top opening 18. Rather, the bottom lip 21 runs perpendicular to the base 14 to allow the base 14 to easily fit over the bottom lip 21. Similarly, a top lip 23 does not slope outwardly towards the bottom opening 20. Rather, the top lip 23 runs perpendicular to the lid 16 to allow the lid 16 to easily fit over the top lip 23.

[0034] The body 12 slopes inward from the bottom opening 20 to the top opening 18 at more than 90 degrees, with respect to a horizontal axis of the base 14. Preferably, the body 12 slopes inward at approximately 110 degrees.

[0035] The body 12 is configured to receive a liner 22. The liner 22 includes an outer surface 24, an inner surface 26, and a bottom 28. The liner 22 removably fits inside the body 12 to protect the body 12 from direct contact with soiled objects. To allow the liner 22 to fold over the body 12, the body 12 should be shorter, in length, than the length of the liner 22. In one embodiment, a liner securing device, such as a series of clips 25, attached to an outer surface of the body 12, releasably secure upper edges of the liner 22 to the body 12. In operation, a user pulls the liner 22 between the clips 25 and the body 12 to hold the liner 22 thereto. One skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous methods and devices for securing the liner 22 to the body 12.

[0036] The base 14 releasably attaches to the body 12 at the bottom opening 20. In one embodiment, securing devices 32 secure the base 14 to the body 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing devices 32 extend perpendicular to the base 14 a predetermined distance. The securing devices 32, of this embodiment, are designed to flex over the bottom lip 21 of the body 12, slide over the bottom lip 21, and enter slots 36 to hold the base 14 to the body 12. It is recognized, however, that the securing devices 32 may be incorporated directly into side walls 38 of the base 14, rather than extending perpendicular therefrom. When the base 14 is attached to the body 12, an inner surface 30 of the base 12 supports the bottom 28 of the liner 22 to prevent it from ripping when loaded.

[0037] In one embodiment, the base 14 comprises at least one foot rest (not shown) protruding outward from the base 14 to allow the user to stand on the foot rest while the user lifts the body 12 therefrom. Advantageously, the user is not required to bend down and release the base 14 from the body 12.

[0038] The lid 16 is designed to removably attach to the body 12 to maintain the objects within the trash can 10 and prevent odors from escaping therefrom. The lid 16 may include a handle to facilitate removal of the lid 16, and the lid may be secured to the body 12 with securing devices 32.

[0039] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate the base 14 having various embodiments of securing devices 32. Each base includes a handle 40. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, as described above with respect to FIG. 1, the securing devices 32 extend perpendicular to the base 14 a predetermined distance. The securing devices 32, of this embodiment, are designed to flex over the bottom lip 21 (See FIG. 1) of the body 12, slide over the bottom lip 21, and enter slots 36 (See FIG. 1) to hold the base 14 to the body 12. The securing devices 32 of FIG. 2A include foot latches 42, which allow the user to step on top of the foot latch 42 to release the securing device from the slots 36. Additionally, the securing devices 32 maybe hingedly, pivotably, or rotatably attached to the base 14 to allow the user to disengage the securing devices 32 from the body 12 and move the securing devices 32 away from the body 12 to facilitate the removal of the base 14 from the body 12.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2C, the securing device 32 is a buckle type device configured to latch onto the body 12. Specifically, hoops 44 rotatably connect to the base 14 and attach to posts (not shown) on the body 12. The hoops 44 may be tightened using well known buckle techniques.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2D, the base 14 is configured to form a tight friction fit with the body 12. The body 12 fits into the base 14 and friction prevents the body12 and the base 14 from separating until the user pulls the two pieces apart.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 2E, the base 14 includes threads 46 to screw onto the body 12. The threads 46 may be internal or external, depending on the threads on the body 12.

[0043] FIGS. 3A-4C illustrate trash cans 10 having an optional wheel assembly to facilitate movement thereof according to various embodiments of the present invention. Specifically referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a wheel base 48 removably attaches to a bottom 50 of the base 14. The wheel base 48, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a post and a pair of wheels 52 connected together via a single axel 56. The axel 56 connects to the wheel base 48 through a pair of axel blocks 58.

[0044] The wheel base 48 of FIGS. 4A-4C comprises a plurality of swivel wheels 60. The swivel wheels 60 connect to the wheel base 48 with well known attachment devices. One skilled in the art will recognize that there are various wheel configurations available.

[0045] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate other embodiments of the liner supporting apparatus 10. Specifically, FIGS. 5A-5C show the trash can 10 having an octagonal shape and the trash can 10 of FIGS. 6A-6C show the trash can 10 having a rectangular shape. One skilled in the art will recognize that the illustrated embodiments are not intended to be limiting. Rather one skilled in the art will recognize that there are innumerable shapes and sizes of trash cans 10 that can be used.

[0046] FIGS. 7A-8C illustrate the apparatus 10 being configured to open to facilitate removal of the liner 22 from the body 12. Specifically, FIGS. 7A-7C show the body 12 configured to open on a side 62 to expose the inner side of the body 12. A securing device 64 may be used to hold the body 12 closed. The body 12, in this embodiment, comprises a flexible material to allow the user to spread the sides 62 of the body 12 open.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, the body 12 is configured to split in half to reveal the contents of the body 12. Each half piece hingedly connects to the base 14.

[0048] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate the process for removing the liner 22 from the body 12 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring specifically to Figure 9A, the liner 22 is positioned inside the trash can 10 with the liner 22 extending from the top opening 18, wrapped around the top lip 23, and secured to the body with clips 25.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 9B and 9C, the user removes the lid 16 and pulls the body 12 from the base 14. Due to the conical shape of the body 12, a slight vertical movement of the body 12 from the base 14 substantially frees the liner 22 from contacting an entire inner surface of the body. Advantageously, the liner 22 becomes substantially disengaged from the body 12 with very little effort by the user, which decreases frictional forces and negative pressure forces common with standard trash cans. Specifically, with standard trash cans the user is required to pull the entire trash bag from the trash can. Accordingly, the trash bag rubs against the trash can the entire length of the trash can. Additionally, the negative pressure in a void behind the trash bag makes removal difficult.

[0050] FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate a method of using the apparatus 10 to support and protect the liner 22 when filling the liner 22 with objects that may cause damage thereto according to one embodiment of the present invention. The body 12 is placed inside the liner 22 and the liner 22 is slightly pulled over the bottom opening 20 of the body 12. The user attaches the base 14 to the body 12. Preferably, the securing means 32 hold the liner 22 below the handles to allow the user to carry the apparatus 10 without risk of grabbing the liner 22 and possibly causing tears or punctures. The user fills the body 12 with the intended objects, and when full, releases the securing devices 32 to disengage the base 14 therefrom. With the base 14 removed, the objects inside the body 12 drop and pull the liner 22 from the body 12, thus transferring the objects from the body 12 to the liner 22. Preferably, clips 25 hold upper portions of the liner 22 until the user disengages the upper portions therefrom.

[0051] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

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