A vacuuming refuse container assembly includes a refuse container for receiving refuse for disposal. A lid is removably positioned on the refuse container and the lid has a refuse opening extending therethrough to receive the refuse. A control circuit is coupled to the refuse container and a vacuum unit is positioned within the refuse container. The vacuum unit is electrically coupled to the control circuit and the vacuum unit is in fluid communication with the refuse opening in the lid. The vacuum unit urges air inwardly through the refuse opening when the vacuum unit is turned on. Thus, refuse placed in the refuse opening is drawn downwardly into the refuse container. A motion sensor is coupled to the refuse container. The vacuum unit is turned on when the motion sensor senses motion of the refuse being placed in the refuse opening.

A dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner is removably positionable in air flow communication with an inlet port of an apparatus in which the openable door of the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner is positioned interior the apparatus. The apparatus has an air treatment member. When the apparatus is standing on the floor, the apparatus has an upper end which has the inlet port. When the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner positioned in flow communication with the inlet port of the apparatus and when the system is in the emptying mode of operation, a motor and fan assembly of the vacuum cleaner moves air from the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner as dirt, which has been accumulated in the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner, travels to the air treatment member of the apparatus.

A trash compactor system includes a receptacle defining a retaining chamber that is configured to receive and retain trash, a compaction plate moveably secured within the retaining chamber, and a foot pedal operatively coupled to the compaction plate. Engagement of the foot pedal moves the compaction plate within the retaining chamber to compact the trash retained within the retaining chamber. A flap may cover an opening into the retaining chamber. The foot pedal may also be operatively coupled to the flap, such that the engagement of the foot pedal moves the flap into an open position that exposes the opening.

A vacuuming refuse container assembly includes a refuse container for receiving refuse for disposal. A lid is removably positioned on the refuse container and the lid has a refuse opening extending therethrough to receive the refuse. A control circuit is coupled to the refuse container and a vacuum unit is positioned within the refuse container. The vacuum unit is electrically coupled to the control circuit and the vacuum unit is in fluid communication with the refuse opening in the lid. The vacuum unit urges air inwardly through the refuse opening when the vacuum unit is turned on. Thus, refuse placed in the refuse opening is drawn downwardly into the refuse container. A motion sensor is coupled to the refuse container. The vacuum unit is turned on when the motion sensor senses motion of the refuse being placed in the refuse opening.

A free standing apparatus for emptying a dirt collection chamber of a surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage from an inlet port to a clean air outlet wherein the dirt collection chamber of the surface cleaning apparatus is removably positionable in air flow communication with the inlet port. An air treatment member is positioned in the air flow passage downstream from the inlet port, the air treatment member comprising a cyclone and an additional cyclonic cleaning stage. A suction motor is positioned in the air flow passage upstream from the clean air outlet of the air flow passage.

An apparatus for processing material in connection with a pneumatic material conveying system includes a waste container/separating device, into which material is configured to be conducted from a conveying pipe of the pneumatic material conveying system via an inlet aperture and which is configured to be connected to means for achieving a partial vacuum. The apparatus further includes a press device/compactor device, which is arranged to act on the material (w) conducted into the waste container/separating device, via at least one aperture formed in the container, and that at least one wall that is transverse with respect to the input direction of the material is arranged in the container space of the waste container/separating device, which wall is configured to guide the material into the operating range in the container space of the compressor of the press device/compactor device.

A garbage can has a container having a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position and a suction motor having a suction motor inlet end in air flow communication with the interior volume of the container and a suction motor outlet end in air flow communication with the ambient exterior to the container.

Apparatus for processing material in a pneumatic material conveying system, which apparatus includes a waste container/separating device, into which material is configured to be conducted from a conveying pipe of the pneumatic material conveying system via an inlet aperture and which is configured to be connected to a device for achieving a partial vacuum. The apparatus further includes a press device/compactor device, which is arranged to act on the material (w) conducted into the waste container/separating device, via at least one aperture formed in the container, and that at least one wall that is transverse with respect to the input direction of the material is arranged in the container space of the waste container/separating device, which wall is configured to guide the material into the operating range in the container space of the compression device of the press device/compactor device. A waste container/separating device is provided.

Apparatus for handling material in connection with a pneumatic material conveying system, which apparatus comprises a waste container/separating device (50), into which material is adapted to be conducted from a conveying pipe (100) of the pneumatic material conveying system via an input aperture (55) and which is adapted to be connected to means for achieving a partial vacuum. The apparatus further comprises a press device/compactor device (70), which is arranged to act on the material (w) conducted into the waste container/separating device (50), via at least one aperture (69) formed in the container, and that at least one wall (60) that is transverse with respect to the input direction of the material is arranged in the container space (68) of the waste container/separating device (50), and that at least one aperture (600) is arranged or formed in the wall (60), which aperture is fitted in the wall (60) on the path of travel (P) of the material (w) being fed in via the input aperture (55), which wall (60) is adapted to control or limit the movement of material in the container space (68). The invention also relates to a waste container/separating device.

The invention provides a closed system for collecting, mulching and storing natural yard waste in a manner that saves time and labor. Storage of the natural yard waste is enabled by use of off the shelf bags instead of customized bags that must be later dumped into a generic storage housing. The system is empowered by a device that is attachable to such off the shelf bags and fully uses their volume so that maximum storage is achieved.