A flexible container lid requiring only one hand to secure objects in an associated container is provided. The lid has a lid aperture providing a medial passageway from which a plurality of narrow openings radially extends so that the lid aperture expands as objects are urged onto it and the flexible lid moves from a flat condition to a bowed condition. Thereby accommodating items that are larger than the centrally located medial passageway by using the narrow openings in conjunction with the medial passageway to expand the size of the entire lid aperture in the bowed condition as the portions of the lid that define each narrow opening simultaneously move way from each other, respectively. Furthermore, the lid returns to its starting flat condition covering the associated container once an item has been placed therein, obviating the need for a user to initially remove the lid from the container.

A self-contained and portable/mobile waste liquid collection and storage unit is disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a waste liquid reservoir within the unit, the reservoir being defined by a void within the unit and interior wall surfaces of the unit; and an integrated sink with a drain, the sink being molded into a top surface of the unit and fabricated using a same type of material as the top surface of the unit, the drain including a coupling to transfer waste liquid from the sink to the waste liquid reservoir.

Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.

A trash bin having parts optimized for partial or full automated assembly. Components are fabricated of materials that are easily manipulated by factory automation equipment as well as those that may be selectively deformed during the assembly or installation process. Elastic or deformable characteristics also facilitate the retention of assembled or installed parts. A barbed element deforms during installation into a received aperture, then returns to a relaxed state in which one or more barbs inhibit the dislocation of the element from the aperture. A post having an aperture for receiving an axle therein is formed of resilient materials such that the post flexes outward under the urging of the axle until the axle is aligned with the aperture, at which point the post resumes a neutral position with the axle engaged in the aperture. Interfaces between components are selected in order to simplify the mechanical mating of components.

Described is a plastic bag having a top portion with a top thickness, a center portion with a center thickness and a bottom portion with a bottom thickness. The top portion has an opening and a drawstring running therethrough. The top thickness is approximately equal to the bottom thickness. The center thickness is less than the top thickness and the bottom thickness.

A receptacle liner for gripping the receptacle and method of making. A liner may be formed by one or more panels including at least one resilient segment extending from a bottom to a top of the liner. The liner segment can be coextruded so that the resilient segment is made from resilient material and other portions of the liner are made from another material that is less resilient. When the liner is placed in a receptacle, the liner can be expanded by resiliently stretching the resilient segment so that the liner may apply a gripping force to the receptacle. The liner can include gusseted side panels. A mouth can be formed as a recess in the top ends of front and rear panels and extend through the gusseted side panels to define handle portions and form apertures in the handle portions that open to the mouth.

A bag includes an upper surface and a lower surface. When the bag is in use, a material being collected in the bag is placed on the upper surface, and the lower surface is in contact with a support surface. The bag further includes a channel and a drawstring located in the channel. The channel has an opening through which the drawstring is accessible by a user of the bag. The opening is located in a corner of the bag. The bag is cinched closed by pulling on the drawstring.

A yard waste collection and carrying device is in the form of a large flat-bottomed tray open at one end, sized to receive leaves, sticks and other materials raked into the open end. Formed of a semi-rigid rubbery plastic material, the device stores a large volume of material, has a pair of opposed side handles for carrying, and is easily deformed to curve the forward end into a pouring configuration, so that the collected materials can easily be transferred into a narrower waste can. The shape of the device is such as to be compactly stackable for storing or shipping a number of the devices together.

A device to capture and temporarily contain filament and other fine loose waste for use in horticulture, fishing, and other related activities that involve the trimming and containment of such waste materials. The device has multiple uses and applications to various industries which deal in filament and fine line and net-type waste. It is designed to take up minimal space and mitigate disposal and containment difficulties for the user.

A foot actuated animal waste receptacle enables sanitary and efficient disposal and storage of animal waste. A counterweighted outer housing forms a protective casing and an ornamental design. A weight integrates into the base end of the housing to prevent tipping over. A lid hingedly connects to a housing perimeter of the outer housing, pivotally moving between open and closed positions through a foot actuated hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism comprises a series of connected rods that pivotally articulate to move the lid. The lid is securely maintained in a closed position through a compression load stored in a compression spring, and a hook and catch that detachably couple. A rim inside the housing perimeter holds a replaceable bag inside the outer housing to directly receive animal waste. A plurality of fastening tabs are disposed around the perimeter of the rim to detachably fasten replaceable bag to the rim.