Trash receptacle garbage bag dispenser
10370187 ยท 2019-08-06
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65B59/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B67/1216
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65F1/1426
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B59/003
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B67/1266
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B2067/1294
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65F1/068
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65F1/062
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65F1/1415
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B67/1227
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B65D1/34
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B67/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65F1/14
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A trash receptacle capable of receiving and dispensing garbage bags. The receptacle may include a compartment enclosed by walls of the trash receptacle, the compartment being the enclosure for receiving trash, two parallel and planar horizontal bars or rods within the compartment, with the bars or rods being structurally configured to receive and dispense garbage bags. The receptacle may also have a lid over the compartment, the lid providing access into the compartment.
Claims
1. A trash receptacle comprising: A compartment enclosed by walls of the trash receptacle, wherein the compartment is configured to receive trash; At least two parallel and planar horizontal bars within the compartment, wherein the bars are structurally configured to receive and dispense garbage bags; and a clip mechanism located near a free non-affixed end of each bar and located parallel to the bars, wherein each clip mechanism is configured to receive a bag so that the bag is pinched by the clip mechanism and functions to prevent the bag from sliding off the bars or from collapsing inward.
2. The trash receptacle of claim 1 wherein one end of each bar is secured to an inside wall of the compartment and wherein each other end of each bar is free hanging.
3. The trash receptacle of claim 1 wherein access to the compartment for installing garbage bags is made possible by way of any one of a front door, side door or a lid.
4. The trash receptacle of claim 1 wherein the bars are structurally configured to hold garbage bags in a stack.
5. The trash receptacle of claim 1 wherein the bars are structurally configured to receive and dispense garbage bags with punch holes.
6. The trash receptacle of claim 1 further comprising of a drip tray/pan located at the base of the compartment.
7. The trash receptacle of claim 1 wherein the bars are secured to any one of the following: any wall of the compartment, lid of the receptacle, floor/base of the receptacle, frame of the receptacle, door of the receptacle, ceiling of the receptacle.
8. The trash receptacle of claim 1 wherein the bar can be on a track/rail system wherein the track/rail system enables the bar for motion in any one of the following directions with the compartment: up, down, side to side, or front to back.
9. The trash receptacle of claim 1 wherein the bars are affixed to a panel within the compartment.
10. The trash receptacle of claim 9 wherein the panel comprises of multiple sets of attachment positions to enable bar attachment settings at different heights.
11. The trash receptacle of claim 9 wherein the panel comprises of a track to which the bars are affixed wherein the track is able to vertically slide up or down the panel to enable different bar setting heights.
12. The trash receptacle of claim 1 further comprising a lid over the compartment, the lid providing access into the compartment.
13. The trash receptacle of claim 1 wherein the bars are affixed to a cross bar which is attached to sides of the compartment.
14. The trash receptacle of claim 1 further comprising of an adjustable base located within the compartment wherein the adjustable base may be adjusted for different heights within the compartment.
15. The trash receptacle of claim 1, wherein the bars are detachable.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(28) In a certain aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the trash receptacle or trash can (terms can, trash can, receptacle, trash receptacle being used interchangeably throughout this disclosure) be particularly made for trash bags that have holes punched in them that they hang by. The bags hang, move and function simply by hanging on two preferably straight parallel bars/poles/sticks that can be made from any material. In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the bars or rods may have minor curves. These parallel bars or rods may connect to one side of the wall in the trash receptacle and do not need to connect to anything for support at the sides or the end where the bag slides off. They basically connect for support to one wall and free hang straight out. The bars or rods are enclosed within the trash can/receptacle and may run from the back area of the receptacle horizontally towards the front area of the receptacle.
(29) In one aspect, the bars, while usually being parallel, could be offset bars or rods and can be of any length, thickness or made out of any material. Additional aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate the bars or rods having a variety of textures and/or features that will enable trash bags to be smoothly installed/removed and/or prevent the bags from falling off the front of the bars or rods while the bags are in a ready to use position. For instance, the ends of the bars or rods may have a rubber texture which may grip the bag and prevent it from slipping off.
(30) The trash receptacle, as contemplated in one aspect, is made to be enclosed with access being provided in a number of ways via including a front door, side door or any way desired to provide access to the trash bags for their loading and unloading. The can/receptacle may also be made of any material and be of any size, color and/or shape having a lid. The can/receptacle may be adapted for use in numerous settings including household, industrial, commercial fast food, within cabinets etc.
(31) Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are distinguished from other trash cans/receptacles or stands which use bags which are clipped into position, or are wrapped around a rim of any shape whether circular or square etc. or made to use with grocery store handled bags aka t-shirt bags will not work in the trash can/receptacle contemplated in the present invention. In contrast, the contemplated invention enables loading of the bags onto the bars or rods by way of holes/openings in them. The bags do not wrap around or over the bars or rods but rather slide onto the bars or rods and hang on them. The bags may be able to move into a ready-to-use, open position by moving the bag along the bars or rods from the rear area of the trash can/receptacle towards the front middle area of the can/receptacle while they unfold or expand so they are ready to receive waste/trash. When the bags are full, they may be pulled off the bar or rod by sliding them towards the front of the receptacle until they fall off the bars. The next bag usually will be pulled towards the front from the rear area as it begins to open for use.
(32) One aspect of an embodiment of the present invention contemplates an enclosed trash can/receptacle that can have a lid. It can have different style doors but will have some sort of opening to access the bag and allow it to be pulled horizontally off the bars or rods to allow the next bag on. This configuration is distinct from the prior art as any type of stand cannot function the same way because prior art cans/receptacles expose the bag of trash out in the open and do not keep the trash enclosed for sanitary or esthetic reasons.
(33) The bars or rods can be installed/secured to the can/receptacle in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, any wall of the receptacle, the roof of the receptacle, the lid of the receptacle, the floor/base of the receptacle, the frame of the receptacle, door of the receptacle. In one aspect, the bars or rods may be attached or secured to a separate piece which in turn may be attached to the receptacle by being mounted or bracketed to the receptacle. Such a piece may be vertical in structure/alignment and may have the bars or rods secured to it at a right angle. In another aspect, the bars or rods may be installed on a track/rail system that would enable motion in an up, down or sideway direction. Methods of securing/attaching the bars or rods may include, but not be limited to, welding, using: adhesives, hook and loop, screws, bolts, glue, magnets, clips, twist on apparatus(es), threading, molding, hooks, suction device(s), snap on configuration(s), pinning, snap ring mounting, nailing, pop in configuration(s), hanging, etc.
(34) In configurations where the receptacle has a side access door, the bars or rods may be installed to run horizontally from one side towards the other side of the receptacle as opposed to the back to front direction as previously discussed.
(35) In sum, an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention contemplates an enclosed trash can for privacy/hiding of a trash bag with two internal parallel free floating (attached at one end) horizontal bars or rods that are made for trash bags that have holes in them so they can free hang on those parallel bars or rods for use and removal.
(36) Advantages of the present invention include: Having trash bags readily available for use following removal of a previous bag. Increased trash bag changing speed Enabling use of bags that have holes in them to hang them by Increased privacy More efficient/effective odor control Elimination of the time it takes to hang bags on clips or fold/secure onto rims Being specially designed to handle the specially designed bags that hang on bars or rods despite having an outward normal trash can/receptacle appearance. Enabling the loading of a large quantity of trash bags that may be in a stack/package and are enabled to be dispensed one after another. Enabling the removal of a full bag horizontally off the bars or rods which eliminates the need to vertically lift a full bag out of the can/receptacle.
(37) Optional aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate having the can and rods sold separately or together. Other aspects contemplate the trash can/receptacle presented as one piece where the bars or rods are already molded into place. Additional aspects contemplate retrofit configurationsi.e. where existing cans/receptacles may be retrofitted to include the aforementioned bars. Further aspects contemplate including a drip tray/pan at the base of the can/receptacle to catch any fluid that may leak from the bags. For additional support, when and where needed, additional rods or bars or rods may also be included.
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(44) Aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate straight parallel bars or rods 5 that can free hang on one side, are long enough to allow a large quantity of bags 6 to load and remain supported while expanding across receptacle 1. Certain aspects of embodiments or the present invention also contemplate bars or rods 5 that are smooth enough for a bag 7 with holes to slide from the loaded position into the ready to use position and then off the free hang portion to exit the bar or rod 5 when full. Bars or rods 5 do not require a user to load on one bag at a time by wrapping it around the top like a ring or rim. They also do not require a user to clip each side into position, or hang the bag by its handles if applicable. Bars or rods 5 are located towards the top area of receptacle 1 to facilitate the bag to hang by its holes and extend down into receptacle 1's compartment 4 where it fills up with trash or items. In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention bars or rods 5, may have simple minor curves to ease loading and help keep bag 7 or bags 6 on, but do not have any curves that interfere with the utility function of easy loading and snag free deployment.
(45) Certain aspects of embodiments of the present invention, when used in the commercial setting and even household kitchens, may require bags that are much larger and thicker than grocery store bags. Bags with a thick enough gauge to hold in fluid and shaper items are difficult to fold and keep in a tight position. These bags must be able to stay close to the bar or rod which means a smaller diameter hole in them to hang on the bar or rod with. The bags must be able to expand long enough to accommodate a large amount of trash and also have room at the top to tie closed. A firm package must be used to keep small holes in alignment to load onto bars. Firm boxes and packages do not allow much flexibility and do not work with strong curves or b shaped pins/rods. Packaging must be long enough to hold a large bag but short enough to not allow the new bags to be soiled by touching the bottom area of the current used bag which can leak. In order to keep large trash bags folded and tight a package is needed versus just a stack of individual bags at the rear area of a rack. It is not practical to use loose bags without firm large packages; the bags are not orderly and unfold inconveniently. Aspects of embodiments of the present invention address the specifics of using rods inside a receptacle that can handle the type of movement and packaging needed to use very large bags in order to create a useful product. Bars or rods 5 have the ability to offer various features, rubber or other gripping material on the bars or rods to keep bag from sliding, a low profile clip mechanism to maintain bag position once it is deployed so it cannot accidently close while in use etc. Such features allow the speed of the bag to be controlled and can allow the bag to hold its position very well while in use.
(46) In aspects of embodiments of the present invention, the bars or rods 5 may be straight at their connection point with receptacle 1 and at the free hang ends. Bars or rods 5 allow loading of a firm tall package or even box that can hold very large bags that are preferably folded up from the bottom and bags that also have small holes for their installation) so they stay close to the bar or rod to avoid sagging.
(47) Sagging allows a gap between the bar or rod and the sides of the bag which allows items to land outside of the bag. Other aspects contemplate bars or rods or rods that are slightly curved between their connection point and their free ends. This configuration enables securing a bag in place by preventing it from slipping of the pair of bars or rods or rods.
(48) With small holes that fit well to the poles there is a problem with b shaped pins, as disclosed in some prior art, since one cannot maneuver a large, tall, thick, firm pack or box of bags onto the loading end of a b shaped pin, there isn't enough clearance from the back wall of the receptacle to maneuver the package past the large curve that leads the package upward to get it onto the straight part of the bar. The second problem with the b shape pin is that the area the package sits along the rear wall can get stuck in that curve. It is also difficult for the next bag to get over that curve in order to have a smooth deployment. These details are important especially since the type of bag the present invention will use will make the bag depend on the first used bag to successfully pull the second bag smoothly into the ready to use position, without the user having to touch the second bag. These types of bags preferably are connected to each other and that is how they can pull each other into place.
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(50) Aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate bars or rods 5 being attached to different parts of receptacle 1 including lid 2, walls of receptacle 1, base/floor of receptacle 1, and door 3 which can slide out or be on a hinge. Bars or rods 5 may be on a track that can be installed on the back wall of receptacle 1 or as used on an independent item such as a hanging mechanism. In another aspect, the user can have a bag stand that will fit into the receptacle to create an enclosed system by combining the two products. Some of these aspects may be seen in
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(55) Another placement configuration for bars or rods 5 may be seen in
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(58) Aspects of embodiments of the present invention contemplate pairs of bars or rods 5 being used within one compartment as shown in
(59) Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention contemplates bars or rods 5 being part of a parallel bar hanger device/system according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention and as shown in
(60) Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention contemplates a height adjustable base/floor 15 within receptacle 1 as shown in
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(62) Further aspects of embodiments of the present invention are shown in
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(64) The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.