A method of sterilizing a waste container with ultraviolet (UV) light is disclosed which includes, inserting an article of waste into the waste container, sealing the container from an external environment to prevent UV light from shining out, activating a UV sanitizing routine stored in a UV light module having at least one UV light source and irradiating an interior surface of the diaper pail with the UV light.

A trash receptacle including a hollow receptacle body having an open top end and a closed bottom end, the hollow receptacle body having a bag dispenser receptacle operatively connected to a bag dispenser port on an outer portion, and an air freshener receiver operatively connected to the hollow receptacle body and including an airflow mechanism for flowing air between the air freshener receiver and the hollow receptacle body. A method of using the trash receptacle by removing a bag from the bag dispenser receptacle on the outer portion of the hollow receptacle body, inserting the bag into the hollow receptacle body, and flowing air through the airflow mechanism and the air freshener receiver to maintain a clean smelling trash receptacle.

A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

A discrete food waste disposal bag is a hand held waste receptacle that will hold and conceal waste. A disposable bag comprising: a body having an open end portion and a sealed end portion, an air release flap located on the body between the open end portion and the sealed end portion, wherein the air release flap allows air to exit the body of the disposable bag, a first opening located at the end of the open end portion, wherein a user blows air into the first opening, a tear line located on the body approximate to the open end portion, wherein the tear line is configured to expose a second opening, wherein the first opening is smaller than the second opening.

An article of manufacture for providing a secure desktop item receptacle includes a hollow container, an attaching base coupled to a bottom surface of the hollow container for attaching the container to a desktop, and a star shaped opening through a top surface of the hollow container providing access to the inside volume of the container. The attaching base includes a suction cup attachment device on a bottom surface of the attaching base, and a support pedestal between the suction cup attachment device and the hollow container. The hollow container has a spherical shape, a goblet shape and an octagon shape. The container may be made of rubber, silicone, plastic, metal and glass and mixtures thereof.

Various embodiments of receptacle assemblies, such as trash cans, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the receptacle assembly includes a body portion with an interior space. The receptacle assembly can include a lid portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a pedal portion operably connected with the lid such that moving the pedal portion moves the lid portion between the open position and the closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a motion damper configured to dampen motion of the lid portion. The motion damper can be positioned near a front of the body portion and/or above a front portion of the pedal portion.

A front load refuse container made according to this invention has its four walls integrally formed out of a single piece of sheet metal. To form the walls, the single sheet is welded along a single vertical seam to form a circular-shaped ring. The circular-shaped ring is subjected to a swedging process that produces a rectangular-shaped ring with rounded corners.

A trash can having a frame, a liner, and a lid. The frame includes a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing and has a bottom that rests directly on the base in the cavity. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible.

A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.

A modular waste disposal or recycling container and modular container system are disclosed. The container includes a base and one or more sidewalls extending upwardly from the base. The base and the one or more sidewalls together define an interior space for receiving waste or recyclables. A sidewall of the one or more sidewalls comprises one or more sockets, and each of the one or more sockets is capable of removably receiving a respective one of a magnet, a ferromagnetic insert and a plug with a cap that covers the socket. The modular container system includes at least two containers, one having magnetic properties on a first sidewall and the other having ferromagnetic properties on a second sidewall. When placed adjacent to each other, the first and second sidewalls releasably adhere to each other.