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United States Patent Application	20060231558
Kind Code	A1
Gayman; John R.	October 19, 2006

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Claims

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1. A container, comprising: a generally rectangular main housing comprising two parallel sides, a back, a front, and a bottom; a horizontal base panel connected with an inside surface of each of said two parallel sides, wherein a portion of said two parallel sides, a portion of said back, said front and an upper surface of said horizontal base panel define an upper compartment having a vertically facing open top; a vertical divider connected with a lower surface of said horizontal base panel and an upper surface of said bottom, wherein a right inner side surface of said parallel sides, a first portion of said lower surface of said horizontal base panel, a first portion of said back, a right side surface of said vertical divider and a first portion of an upper surface of said bottom define a lower right compartment having a first frontal opening, wherein a left inner side surface of said parallel sides, a second portion of said lower surface of said horizontal base panel, a second portion of said back, a left side surface of said vertical divider and a second portion of said upper surface of said bottom define a lower left compartment having a second frontal opening; and a flap lid connected with a front edge of each respective parallel side, wherein said flap lid includes at least two apertures for providing access to said lower right compartment and said lower left compartment.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said flap lid is hingedly connected with said front edge of each respective parallel side such that said flap lid may move between an open position and a closed position.

3. The container of claim 1, further comprising a connector located on an upper outside surface of said back.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein said connector comprises an inverted L-shaped bracket.

5. The container of claim 3, further comprising a mounting bracket having a support, wherein said connector fits within said support such that said generally rectangular main housing may be removably connected with said mounting bracket.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein said support comprises an L-shaped bracket.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a means for removably attaching said generally rectangular main housing to a support structure.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of apertures located in said back for connecting said generally rectangular main housing to a support structure.

9. A container assembly, comprising: an upper enclosure comprising a right side wall, a left side wall, a back, a first horizontal base panel and a front, wherein said right side wall and said left side wall are parallel, wherein said right side wall and said left side wall include a lower front edge portion located at a front edge of said first horizontal base panel that extends upwardly and outwardly away from said horizontal base panel at a predetermined angle such that a larger opening is formed at a top edge of said upper enclosure in relation to a size of said first horizontal base panel thereby defining a vertical facing open compartment; a lower enclosure comprising said right side wall, said left side wall, said back, said first horizontal base panel, a second horizontal base panel and a vertical divider, wherein said right side wall, a portion of said first horizontal base panel, said divider and a portion of said second horizontal base panel define a first horizontal facing compartment, wherein said left side wall, a second portion of said first horizontal base panel, said divider and a second portion of said second horizontal base panel define a second horizontal facing compartment; a flap lid connected by a hinge to an outer edge of said right side wall and said left side wall, wherein said flap lid is operable to be positioned between an open position and a closed position, wherein said flap lid includes a first aperture positioned to provide a first access opening to said first horizontal facing compartment and a second opening positioned to provide a second access opening to said second horizontal facing compartment; a first connection member located towards an upper outer edge of said back; and a mounting bracket capable of being connected to a support structure, wherein said mounting bracket includes a second connection member, wherein said first connection member is capable of being removably connected with said second connection member.

10. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein said first connection member comprises an inverted L-shaped bracket that extends outwardly and downwardly in relation to said back.

11. The container assembly of claim 10, wherein said second connection member comprises an L-shaped bracket connected with said mounting bracket that defines an upwardly facing cavity, wherein a downwardly facing vertical portion of said inverted L-shaped bracket is sized to be removably placed within said upwardly facing cavity.

12. The container assembly of claim 9, further comprising a spacer located towards a lower edge of said back having a thickness approximately equal to a combined thickness of said first connection member, said second connection member and said mounting bracket.

13. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein said flap lid forms a friction fit connection with a portion of said lower enclosure when said flap lid is in said closed position.

14. A container assembly, comprising: an upper enclosure comprising a right side wall, a left side wall, a back, a first horizontal base panel and a front, wherein said right side wall and said left side wall are parallel, wherein said right side wall and said left side wall include a lower front edge portion located at a front edge of said first horizontal base panel that extends upwardly and outwardly away from said horizontal base panel at a predetermined angle such that a larger opening is formed at a top edge of said upper enclosure in relation to a size of said first horizontal base panel thereby defining an vertically facing open compartment; a lower enclosure comprising said right side wall, said left side wall, said back, said first horizontal base panel, a second horizontal base panel and a vertical divider, wherein said right side wall, a portion of said first horizontal base panel, said divider and a portion of said second horizontal base panel define a first horizontally facing compartment, wherein said left side wall, a second portion of said first horizontal base panel, said divider and a second portion of said second horizontal base panel define a second horizontally facing compartment; and a flap lid connected by a hinge to an outer edge of said right side wall and said left side wall, wherein said flap lid is operable to be positioned between an open position and a closed position, wherein said flap lid includes a first aperture positioned to provide a first access opening to said first horizontally facing compartment and a second opening positioned to provide a second access opening to said second horizontally facing compartment.

15. The container assembly of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of connection apertures located in said back and means for mounting said upper and lower enclosure to a support structure.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to containers and more particularly, to a laundry debris container that includes several compartments serving a variety of needs.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] Laundry rooms and facilities often have the need for storing disposable refuse as well as a need for storing various types of laundry supplies, such as dryer sheets and disposable bags to name a few. Often these items are placed on shelves where they may become hidden or out of sight and trash containers may simply sit on the floor in the laundry room thereby often taking up valuable floor space. Smaller laundry rooms are limited in space, leaving no room at all for floor trash cans. The present invention offers the solution of a wall mountable trash can that also serves as a storage device. This unit will help organize laundry rooms and increase the likelihood that individuals will clean dryer filters regularly. This decreases the possibility of household mishaps, such as fires and machine damaging, due to filters being clogged. This container makes it more convenient to clean the filter and properly dispose of laundry room debris.

[0005] As set forth above, a need exists for an economical, efficient and practical compartmentalized laundry container that will allow for the storage of refuse and laundry supplies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A first embodiment of the present invention discloses a container that may be used for storing refuse, laundry supplies and trash bags. The container comprises a generally rectangular main housing that may have two parallel sides, a back, a front, and a bottom. A horizontal base panel may be connected with an inside surface of each of the two parallel sides. A portion of the two parallel sides, a portion of the back, the front and an upper surface of the horizontal base panel may define an upper compartment or enclosure having an open top. The upper compartment of the container may be used to store refuse or debris.

[0007] A vertical divider may be connected with a lower surface of the horizontal base panel and an upper surface of the bottom. A right inner side surface of the parallel sides, a first portion of the lower surface of the horizontal base panel, a first portion of the back, a right inside surface of the vertical divider and a first portion of an upper surface of the bottom may define a lower right compartment having a first frontal opening. A left inner side surface of the parallel sides, a second portion of the lower surface of the horizontal base panel, a second portion of the back, a left inside surface of the vertical divider and a second portion of the upper surface of the bottom may define a lower left compartment having a second frontal opening. A flap lid may be connected with a front edge of each respective parallel side. The flap lid may include at least two apertures for providing access to the lower right compartment and the lower left compartment.

[0008] The flap lid may be hingedly connected with a front edge of each respective parallel side such that the flap lid is movable between an open position and a closed position. A connector may be located on an upper outside surface of the back. The connector may comprise an inverted L-shaped connector or bracket. A mounting bracket having a support may also be included as part of the container. The connector of the housing may fit within the support so that the main housing is removably connected with the mounting bracket. The support of the mounting bracket may comprise an L-shaped support that may or may not be enclosed on the sides. In an alternative embodiment, the container may include a plurality of apertures located in the back for connecting or mounting the generally rectangular main housing directly to a support structure, such as a wall.

[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a container assembly. The container assembly may comprise an upper enclosure having a right side wall, a left side wall, a back, a first horizontal base panel and a front. The right side wall and the left side wall may run parallel in a vertical plane with each other. The right side wall and the left side wall may include a lower front edge portion that may be located at a front edge of the first horizontal base panel that extends upwardly and outwardly away from the horizontal base panel at a predetermined angle. As a result, a larger opening is formed at a top edge of the upper enclosure in relation to the size of the first horizontal base panel, thereby defining a vertical facing open compartment.

[0010] The container assembly may also include a lower enclosure comprising a portion of the right and left side walls, a portion of the back, the first horizontal base panel, a second horizontal base panel and a vertical divider. The right side wall, a portion of the first horizontal base panel, the divider and a portion of the second horizontal base panel define a first horizontal or front facing open compartment. The left side wall, a second portion of the first horizontal base panel, the divider and a second portion of the second horizontal base panel define a second horizontal or front facing open compartment.

[0011] A flap lid may be connected by a hinge to an outer edge of the right side wall and the left side wall. The flap lid is operable to be positioned between an open position and a closed position. The flap lid may include a first aperture positioned to provide a first access opening to the first horizontal facing open compartment and a second opening positioned to provide a second access opening to the second horizontal facing open compartment.

[0012] A first connection member may be located towards an upper outer edge of the back. The container assembly may also include a mounting bracket that is capable of being connected to a support structure. The mounting bracket may include a second connection member and the first connection member may be removably connected with the second connection member so that the container assembly may be removably connected with the support structure.

[0013] The first connection member of the container assembly may comprise an inverted L-shaped bracket that extends outwardly and downwardly in relation to the back. The second connection member may comprise an L-shaped bracket that may be connected with the mounting bracket and defines an upwardly facing cavity. A downward facing vertical portion of the inverted L-shaped bracket may be sized to be removably placed within the upwardly facing cavity. A spacer may be located towards a lower edge of the back having a thickness approximately equal to the first connection member, the second connection member and the mounting bracket. The spacer keeps the container assembly approximately parallel with the support structure to which it is mounted. The flap lid may form a friction fit connection with a portion of the lower enclosure when the flap lid is in the closed position.

[0014] Yet another embodiment of the present invention discloses a container assembly that may be mounted directly to a support structure or wall. The container assembly may include an upper enclosure having a right side wall, a left side wall, a back, a first horizontal base panel and a front. The right side wall and the left side wall may be parallel in relation to one another. The right side wall and the left side wall may include a lower front edge portion that may be located at a front edge of the first horizontal base panel that extends upwardly and outwardly away from the horizontal base panel at a predetermined angle such that a larger opening is formed at a top edge of the upper enclosure in relation to the size of the first horizontal base panel.

[0015] The container assembly may also include a lower enclosure including a portion of the right and left side walls, a portion of the back, the first horizontal base panel, a second horizontal base panel and a vertical divider. The right side wall, a portion of the first horizontal base panel, the divider and a portion of the second horizontal base panel may define a first horizontal open facing compartment. The left side wall, a second portion of the first horizontal base panel, the divider and a second portion of the second horizontal base panel may define a second horizontal open facing compartment.

[0016] A flap lid may be connected by a hinge to an outer edge of the right side wall and the left side wall. The flap lid is operable to be positioned between an open position and a closed position. The flap lid may include a first aperture positioned to provide a first access opening to the first horizontally facing compartment and a second opening positioned to provide a second access opening to the second horizontal facing compartment. The back of the container assembly disclosed in this embodiment may include a plurality of connection apertures and means for mounting the upper and lower enclosure to a support structure.

[0017] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container depicted in FIG. 1 with a flap lid in an open position.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front view of the container illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of the container mounted on a wall with a mounting bracket.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view depicting how the container may be removably mounted to the wall using the mounting bracket.

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a container that may be fastened directly to a wall.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a side view of the container illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a container 10 is disclosed that may be used to hold refuse, dirty laundry, bags, and various types of laundry supplies (e.g.--dryer sheets). The components illustrated throughout the figures are not necessarily depicted to scale and it should be noted that the container 10 may be manufactured in a variety of sizes. The container 10 may include an upper right side 12, an upper left side 14, an upper back 16, an upper front 18 and a horizontal base panel 20 that define an upper compartment 22. The top portion of the upper compartment 22 is open so that debris, such as dirty laundry or refuse, may be stored in the upper compartment 22.

[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper right and left sides 12, 14 of the container 10 extend upwardly and outwardly at a predetermined angle in relation to the upper back 16. As such, the upper portion of the upper compartment 22 is larger in size than the lower portion of the upper compartment 22. The volume or storage capacity of the upper compartment 22 steadily increases from the bottom portion to the top portion. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper front edge 24 of the upper compartment 22 protrudes outwardly further than a lower front edge 26 thereby allowing the upper storage compartment 22 to increase in storage capacity from bottom to top.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the container 10 may also include a lower right side 28, a lower left side 30, a lower back 32 and a bottom 34. The upper right and upper left sides 12, 14 and the lower right and left sides 28, 30 may be formed as one piece along with the upper back 16 and the lower back 32. The container 10 may also include a vertical divider 36 connected vertically between the horizontal base panel 20 and the bottom 34. The lower right side 28, a portion of the horizontal base panel 20, a portion of the bottom 34 and the right side of the vertical divider 36 define a first or right side lower compartment 38. The lower left side 30, a portion of the horizontal base panel 20, a portion of the bottom 34 and the left side of the vertical divider 36 define a second or left side lower compartment 40. The right and left side lower compartments 38, 40 are preferentially rectangular in shape and may be sized by placement of the vertical divider 36. The right and left side lower compartments 38, 40 have horizontal openings as opposed to the upwardly faced opening of the upper compartment 22.

[0029] The container 10 may also include a flap lid 42 that may be connected with the outer front edges of the right and left lower sides 28, 30. The outer right and left edges of the flap lid 42 may include a hinge mechanism 44 that allows the flap lid 42 to move between an open and closed position. The hinge mechanism 44 allows the flap lid 42 to be movably connected with the upper outer edges of the right and left lower sides 28, 30 at approximately the outer edge of the horizontal base panel 20. Several different types of hinges may be used in the present invention and for the purpose of the present invention it is important to note that the hinge mechanism 44 connects the flap lid 42 to the container 10 and allows the flap lid 42 to move between open and closed positions. The flap lid 42 may also form a friction fit connection with the right and left lower compartments 38, 40 when the flap lid 42 is in the closed position.

[0030] The flap lid 42 may also include a right side aperture or cut out 46 and a left side aperture or cut out 48. The right and left side apertures 46, 48 may be generally rectangular in shape and may vary in size and location. The right and left side apertures 46, 48 allow individuals to gain access to the contents that may be stored in the right and left lower compartments 38, 40. In some embodiments of the present invention, the right and left lower compartments 38, 40 may be used to store disposable boxes containing items such as trash bags and laundry dryer sheets. When the trash bags or dryer sheets run out, the user lifts up the flap lid 42 and removes the empty box from either the right or left lower compartment 38, 40 and then replaces it with a full box.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper back 16 may also include an inverted L-shaped connector or bracket 50. The inverted L-shaped connector 50 may be connected with the upper back 16 or may be molded as part of the upper back 16. A mounting bracket 52 may also be part of the container 10. The mounting bracket 52 may include a plurality of apertures 54 that allow the mounting bracket 52 to be secured to a support structure or wall 56. The mounting bracket 52 may be secured to the support structure 56 using several different types of connection devices such as bolts, screws, and so forth. The mounting bracket 52 may also include an L-shaped support 58 that may be connected with the mounting bracket 52 or may be molded as part of the mounting bracket 52.

[0032] The inverted L-shaped connector 50 mates with or fits within the L-shaped support bracket 58 of the mounting bracket 52 when the container 10 is mounted to the support structure 56. The inverted L-shaped connector 50 and the L-shaped support bracket 58 allow the container 10 to be removably mounted to the support structure 56. The support bracket 58 may also be closed on the sides instead of open, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, thereby forming an enclosed cavity in which the inverted L-shaped connector 50 may fit. For the purpose of the present invention, it is important to note that the container 10 may be removably mounted to the wall 56 using several different types of connection mechanisms. A spacer 60 may be connected with a portion of the lower back 32 or may be molded as part of the lower back 32. The spacer 60 has a thickness such that the container 10, when mounted on the support structure 56, is approximately level along its vertical axis. In other words, the spacer 60 has a thickness equal to the combined thickness of the inverted L-shaped connector 50, the L-shaped support bracket 58 and the mounting bracket 52.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the present invention discloses a container 10 that may be mounted directly to the support structure 56. As such, in this embodiment, the container 10 is not removably connected with the support structure 56 as with the previously disclosed embodiment. The container 10 may include a plurality of apertures 62 that allow connection devices such as screws, bolts and so forth to be used to mount the container 10 directly to the support structure 56. All other features of the container 10 remain the same in this embodiment as fully set forth and described above in regards to the previous embodiment.

[0034] The container 10 disclosed herein may be manufactured from several different types of materials such as plastic or wood, but is preferentially manufactured from a plastic or polymer based material. In addition, the container 10 may be manufacture as three or four individual pieces or may be manufactured as several different pieces that may be connected or assembled together to form the container 10. For example, the container 10 may be manufactured and assembled as three pieces (main body, flap lid and mounting bracket) or it may be manufactured and assembled from a plurality of individual pieces that are connected together using conventional connection devices during assembly. Those skilled in the art of plastics would recognize that various manufacturing variations exist and may be taken advantage of by the present invention.

[0035] While the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

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