DECORATIVE TRASH RECEPTACLE SYSTEM AND KIT

Abstract

A decorative trash receptacle system and kit that display patterns through a transparent outer surface and allows users to selectively make changes to the display. The elements comprise inner and outer receptacles nestled together with decorative material comprising a pattern on one face thereof sandwiched between them. The sidewall of the outer receptacle is transparent, and the pattern is positioned to be viewed through the transparent wall of the outer receptacle. A retainer ring or a template may be positioned to secure and ensure the decorative material remains in place between the interior and exterior wall surfaces of outer and inner receptacles, respectively, so that the pattern is visibly displayed.

Claims

1. A decorative trash receptacle system comprising: a. an outer trash receptacle member that has a substantially transparent sidewall; b. an inner trash receptacle member that has a sidewall sized to removably fit within the outer trash receptacle; c. a cavity formed between the sidewall of the outer trash receptacle member and the sidewall of the inner trash receptacle member when the inner trash receptacle member is fitted within the outer trash receptacle member; and d. a decorative material having a pattern thereon, sized and shaped to be retained within the cavity and to display the pattern through the transparent sidewall of the outer trash receptacle member.

2. A decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 1, further comprising a retainer ring, wherein the retainer ring is positioned inside said outer receptacle and pressed against the decorative material.

3. A decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 1, further comprising a template, sized and shaped to substantially match the size and shape of the sidewall of the inner trash receptacle member; and wherein the template is used as a cutting guide to form the size and shape of the decorative material.

4. A decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 1 wherein the template is positioned inside said outer receptacle and disposed against the decorative material.

5. A decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 1 wherein the inner trash receptacle member is removable from the outer trash receptacle member.

6. A decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 1 wherein the inner trash receptacle member further comprises an upper edge that extends outward and covers the cavity.

7. A decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 6 wherein the outer trash receptacle member further comprises an upper edge that is securely retained within the outwardly extending upper edge of the inner trash receptacle member.

8. A kit for use in displaying a pattern through an exterior surface of a decorative trash receptacle system comprising: a. a substantially transparent outer trash receptacle member having a sidewall, the sidewall having an interior surface; b. a template, the template comprising a cutting guide for decorative material having a pattern on at least one face thereof, the template being sized to substantially match the interior surface of the sidewall of the outer trash receptacle member; and c. an inner trash receptacle member sized to sandwich, between said transparent outer trash receptacle member and said inner trash receptacle member, decorative material sized to match the template, whereby said decorative material is securely retained in place.

9. A kit for use in displaying a pattern through an exterior surface of a decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 8, further comprising: a retainer ring sized to fit within the outer trash receptacle and behind the decorative material when the decorative material is placed against the interior surface of the sidewall of the outer trash receptacle.

10. A kit for use in displaying a pattern through an exterior surface of a decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 8, further comprising a decorative material having a pattern thereon.

11. A kit for use in displaying a pattern through an exterior surface of a decorative trash receptacle system according to claim 8, wherein the template comprises a pattern on one face thereof.

12. A decorative trash receptacle kit comprising: a. a substantially transparent outer trash receptacle member having an upper edge; b. an inner trash receptacle member sized to fit within the outer trash receptacle, comprising an outwardly extending upper edge member sized to cover the upper edge of the outer trash receptacle member and configured to removably retain the inner trash receptacle member and the outer trash receptacle member in mated position when the inner trash receptacle member is placed within the outer trash receptacle member; c. a template designed for cutting a decorative material having a pattern on a face thereof to fit between said outer trash receptacle member and said inner trash receptacle member when the inner trash receptacle member is placed within said outer trash receptacle member, with the pattern facing the outer trash receptacle member.

13. A decorative trash receptacle kit according to claim 12, further comprising: a decorative material having a pattern on at least one face thereof.

14. A decorative trash receptacle kit according to claim 13, wherein said decorative material is formed of a flexible self-supporting material and is sized and shaped to be disposed in abutment with an interior face of said transparent outer trash receptacle and to fit between said outer trash receptacle member and said inner trash receptacle member when the inner trash receptacle member is placed within said outer trash receptacle member, with the pattern facing the outer trach receptacle member.

15. A decorative trash receptacle kit according to claim 14 wherein said decorative material is said template.

16. A decorative trash receptacle kit according to claim 12 further comprising a retainer ring sized to fit within the outer trash receptacle and to retain the decorative material in abutment with the interior face of the outer trash receptacle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the decorative trash receptacle system in assembled form, with a pattern displayed in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the decorative trash receptacle system in assembly form, with a different pattern displayed in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view illustrating the decorative trash receptacle system's disassembled components, which comprise an outer transparent receptacle, an inner receptacle, a retainer ring, a template, and decorative material with a pattern on one face thereof, shown in the facedown position so that the pattern is not visible, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view illustrating the decorative trash receptacle system's disassembled components, which comprise an outer transparent receptacle, an inner receptacle, a retainer ring, a template, and decorative material comprising a pattern on one face thereof, shown with the pattern face in a facedown position.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating the system and kit's disassembled components, which comprise an outer transparent receptacle, an inner receptacle, a retainer ring, a template, and decorative material comprising a pattern on one face thereof, shown with the pattern face in a facedown position.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a half section view of the decorative trash receptacle system illustrating the internal features along lines 6-6 in FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a half section view of the decorative trash receptacle system illustrating the internal features along lines 7-7 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following discussion describes various embodiments of systems, kits, and apparatus. However, discussing these embodiments should not be construed as limiting the invention to these embodiments since those skilled in the pertinent art will also know various other embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the assembled decorative trash receptacle system and kit 11 in accordance with some embodiments. The design enables users to select a pattern 13 to blend with the room's decor or otherwise provide a desired decorative element. Pattern 13 is shown displayed on decorative material such as wallpaper. The system and kit 11 allow a user to easily change the decorative material comprising the selected pattern as desired from time to time, disassembling and assembling the inner and outer receptacles in order to make the change without damage to those elements and without needing tools or adhesives. In accordance with this embodiment, the pattern 13, which is displayed on decorative material disposed around the exterior surface of the system and kit 11, is selected by a user. The pattern is visible through the outer surface of the assembled system and kit 11.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a decorative trash receptacle 11 in an upright vertical position and with selected pattern 14 displayed on decorative material extending around the exterior of the inner receptacle, and visible to a viewer through the outer receptacle, which is transparent in at least the areas through which it is desired to view the pattern. In accordance with this embodiment, the pattern 14 is selected by a user.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view illustrating the decorative trash receptacle system and kit 11 in disassembled form in accordance with one embodiment. The system and kit components comprise an outer receptacle 15, made of transparent material such as clear plastic, with decorative material 21 displaying a pattern on one face thereof. Decorative material 21 (displaying on at least one face a pattern selected by the user) is cut to a predetermined size for placement into the interior of outer receptacle 15 so as to display the pattern through the transparent wall of outer receptacle 15. In accordance with one embodiment, a retainer ring 17 is slidably inserted by the user within outer receptacle 15 at the bottom to ensure that decorative material 21 remains in abutment with the exterior wall of the outer receptacle 15 in a press-fit arrangement without the need for adhesives, notches, tabs, and the like.

[0022] Still referring to FIG. 3 and now also to FIG. 4, where FIG. 4 is a back or rear perspective view illustrating the system and kit in disassembled form. Inner receptacle 19, optionally made of metal, is constructed of slightly smaller dimensions than the outer receptacle 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, inner receptacle 19 rests on the top edge of retainer ring 17. Inner receptacle 19, much like the retainer ring beneath it, holds the decorative material 21 in a sandwich arrangement between the interior wall of outer receptacle 15 and the exterior wall of inner receptacle 19. The top of inner receptacle 19 comprises an upper edge 23 that extends outward such that at least a portion thereof overlaps and covers at least a portion of the top edge of the outer receptacle 15 when the two receptacles are fitted together. In this embodiment, the outwardly extending upper edge 23 of inner receptacle 19 is configured as a U-shaped edge. When the inner receptacle 19 is placed within the outer receptacle 15, then as shown here, the outwardly extending upper edge 23 of inner receptacle 19 rests on the top edge of the outer receptacle 15 and the top edge of the outer receptacle 15 is received within the U-shaped section of outwardly extending upper edge 23 of inner receptacle 19.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating the system and kit's disassembled components as provided in one embodiment. The elements comprise an outer transparent receptacle 15, an inner receptacle 19, a retainer ring 17, a template 18, and decorative material 21. As depicted, pattern 13 is not visible because it is the downward-facing face of decorative material 21. According to some embodiments, the system and kit are adaptable, enabling users to assemble the various components quickly. For example, if desired to replace the decorative material 21 for another room or occasion, the user can quickly accomplish the change without using tools or adhesives and the like without harm to the parts.

[0024] Turning now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, shown therein, FIG. 6 is a half section view illustrating the internal features of the assembled system and kit 11 along the line 6-6 in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a half-section view illustrating the internal features of assembled system kit 11 along the line 7-7 in FIG. 2. In these embodiments, retainer ring 17 is replaced with template 18. Template 18 is sufficiently flexible that it can wrap around the interior of outer receptacle 15, and is self-supporting so that it does not slump down when positioned within the cavity between the interior and outer receptacles. Template 18 may be made of plastic, cardboard, or another material having the desired characteristics. Template 18 is removably positioned within outer receptacle 15 to secure decorative material 21 in abutment with or close proximity to the exterior wall surface of the outer receptacle 15, preferably in a press-fit arrangement, without the need for adhesives, notches, tabs, and the like.

[0025] Decorative material 21 is not limited to wallpaper having a pattern on one face thereof. As indicated previously, the pattern displayed on decorative material could, for example, be one or more photographs of a user's children, artwork created by children, images or photographs of locations having emotional significance, advertisements, corporate logos, or other images. Decorative material 21 could be of paper, fabric, plastic, or other material that can be cut according to the template 18 and fitted within the outer receptacle 15. If decorative material 21 is itself self-supporting, then it is not necessary to employ retainer ring 17 or template 18 behind the decorative material 21 in order to secure it in position. However, it still is useful to place template 18 behind decorative material 21, so that all components of kit 11 are kept together, making it easier to locate the template if it is desired to change the pattern 13 and thus to cut a replacement decorative material 21 using template 18 as a guide.

[0026] While the invention and various embodiments have been described essentially as a single unit in assembled and disassembled forms, it is appreciated that the invention can employed as a kit to be assembled by a user, and over time the decorative pattern can be changed depending on the user's preferences. The kit may include a decorative material comprising a desired pattern, cut to the size of a template and itself usable as a template; an additional template may not, in such case, be included in the kit. Similarly, misplaced, or damaged parts can be readily replaced.

[0027] Having described the invention, the same will be more clearly understood from the appended claims in which it is described in a non-limiting manner.