Vertically expandable receptacle

Abstract

A receptacle has an outer housing with an aperture and an internal frame sized and configured to fit within the outer housing. A telescoping assembly is configured to associate with the aperture such that the receptacle may be placed in a first position or a second position, the internal volume of the receptacle being greater in the second position than the first. A second receptacle is formed from an inner portion and an outer portion offset by a stepped portion. The stepped portion forms a collar rest edge at a first height and a collar rest platform at a second height greater than the first height. A collar has a base and is adapted to fit over the inner portion such that the base may rest on the collar rest edge in a first position or the collar rest platform in a second position increasing the internal volume.

Claims

1. An expandable receptacle comprising: a generally cylindrical and hollow main receptacle having a bottom edge, the main receptacle including an inner element and an outer element offset by a stepped portion, the outer element being adjacent to said bottom edge, the stepped portion forming a collar rest edge at a first height relative said bottom edge and a collar rest platform at a second height higher than said first height; a telescoping collar formed as an annular sleeve having a lowermost edge, said telescoping collar adapted to fit over said inner element such that said lowermost edge rests on said collar rest edge in a first position or said collar rest platform in a second position; the combined inner volume of the main receptacle and said telescoping collar being less in said first position than said second position; further comprising a locking orifice on said telescoping collar and a locking tab on said inner element, said locking tab fitting within said locking orifice when said receptacle is in said second position.

2. The expandable receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a ramp portion on said stepped portion between said collar rest edge and said collar rest platform.

3. The expandable receptacle of claim 1, wherein said telescoping collar and said collar rest platform are separated by a vertical gap when said receptacle is in said first position.

4. The expandable receptacle of claim 1, further comprising a lid assembly, wherein a refuse bag may be trapped between said lid assembly and said inner element when the receptacle is in the first position and said lid assembly and said telescoping collar when said receptacle is in said second position.

5. The expandable receptacle of claim 4, wherein said second position of said receptacle supports a larger refuse bag than said first position of said receptacle and wherein the larger refuse bag is viewable from the exterior of the receptacle while the small bag is not.

6. An expandable receptacle comprising: a generally cylindrical and hollow main receptacle having a bottom edge, the main receptacle including an inner element and an outer element offset by a stepped portion, the outer element being adjacent to said bottom edge, the stepped portion forming a collar rest edge at a first height relative said bottom edge and a collar rest platform at a second height higher than said first height; a telescoping collar formed as an annular sleeve having a lowermost edge, said telescoping collar adapted to fit over said inner element such that said lowermost edge rests on said collar rest edge in a first position or said collar rest platform in a second position; the combined inner volume of the main receptacle and said telescoping collar being less in said first position than said second position; further comprising a lid assembly, wherein a refuse bag may be trapped between said lid assembly and said inner element when the receptacle is in the first position and said lid assembly and said telescoping collar when said receptacle is in said second position; wherein said inner element includes bag mounting reliefs at an upper portion thereof.

7. An expandable receptacle comprising: a generally cylindrical and hollow main receptacle having a bottom edge, the main receptacle including an inner element and an outer element offset by a stepped portion, the outer element being adjacent to said bottom edge, the stepped portion forming a collar rest edge at a first height relative said bottom edge and a collar rest platform at a second height higher than said first height; a telescoping collar formed as an annular sleeve having a lowermost edge, said telescoping collar adapted to fit over said inner element such that said lowermost edge rests on said collar rest edge in a first position on said collar rest platform in a second position; the combined inner volume of the main receptacle and said telescoping collar being less in said first position than said second position, wherein said telescoping collar is rotated approximately 90 degrees between the first position of said expandable receptacle and the second position.

8. An expandable receptacle comprising: a generally cylindrical and hollow main receptacle having a bottom edge, the main receptacle including an inner element and an outer element offset by a stepped portion, the outer element being adjacent to said bottom edge, the stepped portion forming a collar rest edge at a first height relative said bottom edge and a collar rest platform at a second height higher than said first height; telescoping collar formed as an annular sleeve having a lowermost edge, said telescoping collar adapted to fit over said inner element such that said lowermost edge rests on said collar rest edge in a first position or said collar rest platform in a second position; the combined inner volume of the main receptacle and said telescoping collar being less in said first position than said second position, wherein said main receptacle includes a bottom floor; wherein a refuse bag may be retained by said expandable receptacle and positioned through said telescoping collar toward said bottom floor.

9. The expandable receptacle of claim 8, wherein the refuse bag open end is positioned at an upper portion of said telescoping collar and its closed end is positioned where it extends toward said bottom floor.

10. The expandable receptacle of claim 9 wherein the closed end of the refuse bag rests on said bottom floor of said main receptacle.

11. An expandable receptacle comprising: a generally cylindrical and hollow main receptacle having a bottom edge, and the main receptacle including an inner element and an outer element offset by a stepped portion, the outer element being adjacent to said bottom edge, the stepped portion forming a collar rest edge at a first height relative said bottom edge and a collar rest platform at a second height higher than said first height; a telescoping collar formed as an annular sleeve having a lowermost edge, said telescoping collar adapted to fit over said inner element such that said lowermost edge rests on said collar rest edge in a first position or said collar rest platform in a second position; the combined inner volume of the main receptacle and said telescoping collar being less in said first position than said second position; wherein said main receptacle includes a bottom floor; wherein a first refuse bag may be retained by said expandable receptacle and positioned through said telescoping collar to rest on said bottom floor in said first position but not in said second position.

12. The expandable receptacle of claim 11, wherein a second refuse bag, larger than said first refuse bag, may be retained by said expandable receptacle and positioned through said telescoping collar to rest on said bottom floor in both said first position and said second position.

13. An expandable receptacle comprising: a generally cylindrical and hollow main receptacle having a floor, said main receptacle including an inner portion and an outer portion offset by a stepped portion formed by the top of the outer portion, the outer portion extending to said floor and the inner portion extending above the outer portion, the stepped portion forming a collar rest edge at a first height relative to said floor and a collar rest platform at a second height higher than said first height; a telescoping collar formed as an annular sleeve having a lowermost edge, said telescoping collar adapted to fit over said inner portion such that said lowermost edge rests on said collar rest edge irk a first position or said collar rest platform in a second position; the combined inner volume of the main receptacle and said telescoping collar being less in said first position than said second position; wherein said telescoping collar is rotated approximately 90 degrees between the first position and the said expandable receptacle and the second position.

14. An expandable receptacle comprising: a hollow main receptacle having a floor, said main receptacle forming a stepped portion on an outer surface thereof, the stepped portion including a collar rest edge at a first height relative to said floor and a collar rest platform at a second height higher than said first height; a collar formed with walls and an open top and open bottom, the collar having a rest portion adapted to rest on said collar rest edge at a first height relative to said floor in a first position and said collar rest platform at a second height higher than said first height in a second position; the combined inner volume of the main receptacle and said collar being less in said first position than said second position.

15. The expandable receptacle of claim 14, wherein said rest portion of said collar is a lowermost edge.

16. The expandable receptacle of claim 15, wherein said collar rest edge and said collar rest platform are approximately 90 degrees apart.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof, will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description read with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that any additional organizations, methods of operation, features, objects or advantages ascertained by one skilled in the art be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

(2) With respect to the drawings,

(3) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an expandable receptacle in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

(5) FIG. 3 is a side view thereof;

(6) FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;

(7) FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof;

(8) FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the internal frame and flip lid forming portions of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 7 is a side view of the internal frame and flip lid of FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 9 is a isometric view of the expandable receptacle in a secondary position thereof displaying maximum internal capacity;

(12) FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the receptacle of FIG. 1 displaying a representation of the telescoping movement;

(13) FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the receptacle of FIG. 1 displaying a representation of the cantilevered action of the internal frame telescoping assembly;

(14) FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the receptacle of FIG. 1 displayed in the secondary position;

(15) FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an expandable receptacle in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

(16) FIG. 14 is a front view thereof;

(17) FIG. 15 is a side view thereof;

(18) FIG. 16 is a top view thereof;

(19) FIG. 17 is a bottom view thereof;

(20) FIG. 18 is an exploded isometric view thereof;

(21) FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the flip lid assembly of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 13;

(22) FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the telescoping collar of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 13;

(23) FIG. 21 is an isometric, transparent view of the main receptacle of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 13;

(24) FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the bottom cap of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 13;

(25) FIG. 23A is a front view of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 13 in the first position;

(26) FIG. 23B is an exploded sectional view of a small bag securing method;

(27) FIG. 24A is a front view of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 13 in the second position;

(28) FIG. 24B is an exploded sectional view of a large bag securing method;

(29) FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 13 in three separate states; recessed, mid motion, and elevated state; and,

(30) FIG. 26 is a magnified view of an internal section of the expandable receptacle of FIG. 13 which shows how the telescoping collar locks in place in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(31) In the following are described the preferred embodiments of the vertically expandable receptacle of the present invention. In describing the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Where like elements have been depicted in multiple embodiments, identical reference numerals have been used in the multiple embodiments for ease of understanding.

(32) Directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “side”, “isometric”, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting.

(33) Moreover, the final sizes and volumes of the receptacles embodied herein are completely variable. For example, a single receptacle may be sized in the popular 8 gallon size while in one configuration and in the popular 13 gallon size in a second configuration. Other alternatives include 4 gallon to 8 gallon or 13 gallon to 30 gallon. Still other alternatives, whether in popular denominations or not, could also be manufactured.

(34) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of receptacle 100, which may be any receptacle such as a trash or laundry bin, in its recessed state. In this state, the internal volume of the receptacle 100 is minimized. At times in this disclosure the position represented by FIG. 1 may be referred to as a first position.

(35) FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of the receptacle 100 in an expanded, or second position, where the internal volume of the receptacle is maximized. It will be appreciated that either position may be the preferred position for a particular receptacle 100, but generally the first position is most preferred such that the receptacle may be expanded only when needed. Moreover, although the receptacle 100 is shown in two possible positions, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments a receptacle may be engineered and manufactured for any number of intermediate positions. As a practical matter however, it is preferred that the maximum number of positions be three.

(36) The receptacle 100 comprises three major components, an outer housing 102, an internal frame 104, and a flip lid 106. Moving briefly to FIG. 8, it will be appreciated that the flip lid 106 attaches to the internal frame 104 in a generally conventional manner. It will also be appreciated that the internal frame is configured to slide substantially into the outer housing 102 to the position shown in FIG. 1.

(37) Although shown in FIG. 1 as a generally rectangular receptacle with rounded edges, the outer housing 102 may be configured to a variety of shapes, such as cylindrical or oval. Most operative is that it contain a bottom 108, preferably a closed bottom, with upstanding walls 110 terminating with an opening 112 (see FIG. 8). However, the bottom may also be open. Additionally, the outer housing 102 features at least one aperture, and in the embodiment shown a pair of apertures 114A, 114B, for use in conjunction with the internal frame 104 as will be discussed to aid in moving the interior frame 104 from the first position to the second position and vice-versa.

(38) The apertures 114A, 114B featured in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are generally hour-glass shaped and include an upper section 116 and a lower section 118 separated by a separation section 120 of diminished cross-sectional area. The upper section 116 and lower section 118 are configured to provide an upper stop 117 and lower stop 119. The purposes of these sections will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in later sections of this disclosure, but it will be appreciated that components associated with the internal frame 104 may travel between the upper section 116 and lower section 118 depending on the configuration of the receptacle 100 required, thus altering the internal volume of the receptacle.

(39) The flip lid 106 featured in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is generally configured as a flat, planar lid 122 with a downturned edge 124. The downturned edge 124 is sized and configured to enclose the opening 112 of the outer housing 102 to preferably form a tight seal ensuring that the contents of the receptacle 100 do not exude an undesirable odor. The flip lid 106 is attached to the interior frame 104 with a conventional hinge assembly 126 that is preferably spring actuated. The preferred hinge assembly 126 defaults to an open position such as shown in FIG. 11 revealing the contents of the receptacle 100. A push lever 128 is provided on the flip lid 106 opposite to the hinge assembly 126 to secure or lock the flip lid in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1. Of course, other lid provisions, including the provision of no lid, may be provided.

(40) The flip lid 106 may also be provided with one or more recesses 130 which may serve functional purposes of allowing items to stack on the flip lid, aesthetic purposes, or both.

(41) FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the receptacle 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 displays a side view of the receptacle 100 where the hour-glass shape of the aperture 114A can clearly be seen. FIG. 4 shows a top view of the receptacle 100 and FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof.

(42) Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an isometric view of the internal frame 104 and flip lid 106 in an open position. That is, the push lever 128 has been released to unlock the flip lid and permit its rotation about hinge assembly 126 to the open position by action of springs 129 located on opposite sides of the hinge assembly.

(43) FIG. 6 also displays the telescoping assembly 132 of the internal frame 104. As shown, the telescoping assembly 132 comprises a tab 134 formed by virtue of a continuous slot 136 being cut or otherwise manufactured into the internal frame 104. The continuous slot 136 forms three sides of a rectangle leaving a cantilevered spring section 138 uncut. Opposite the cantilevered spring section 138 is a bulb 140 extending outwardly from the tab 134. It will be appreciated that when pressure is applied to the bulb 140, such as by it being pressed by the human hand, the tab 134 will deform at the spring section 138 and cantilever into the internal volume of the internal frame 104. Moving briefly to FIG. 11, it will be appreciated that such movement in combination with sliding of the internal frame 104 either upward or downward within the outer housing 102 (as the case may be) will serve to permit the bulb 140 to travel beyond the reduced cross-sectional area 120 of the aperture 114 from one stop to the other. On its movement from one position to the other, the bulb 140 can aid in lifting or lowering the internal frame 104 by its camming against the back of the reduced cross-sectional area 120.

(44) FIG. 6 also displays ring 142 that forms a portion of the internal frame 104 (in the displayed embodiment the ring 142 is a separate element but the ring may also be formed integrally with the internal frame 104). This ring 142 provides rigidity for the receptacle 100 by locking together the external housing 102 and inner frame 104. The ring 102 also serves to bridge between the upper perimeters of the internal frame 142 and outer housing 102 for aesthetic purposes. Hooks 144A, 144B, 144C, and 144D may be implemented to allow the ring 142 to rest securely while in its recessed state if corresponding slots are provided.

(45) To utilize a bag such as a refuse bag with the receptacle 100, a user may place the open end of the bag either under or over the ring 142 in the conventional manner.

(46) FIG. 7 displays a side view of the inner frame 104 and flip lid 106. FIG. 8 demonstrates a partially exploded view of receptacle 102. FIG. 9 shows the expandable receptacle 100 in its secondary position where internal volume is maximized. FIG. 10 is demonstrative of the telescoping movement of the expandable receptacle 100, the movement being along arrow A. Upon pushing the bulb 140 inward along arrow A (see FIG. 11) and raising it along the aperture 114A, the receptacle 100 may be expanded. FIG. 12 demonstrates the bulb 140 locked in the secondary position of the expandable receptacle 100.

(47) FIG. 13 shows an isometric view of a receptacle 200 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment, the receptacle 200 is generally cylindrical. Operation of the receptacle from a first position to a second position is also different from that of the first embodiment.

(48) In this second embodiment, the receptacle includes a main receptacle 202 which forms the base of the unit and generally corresponds to the outer housing of the prior embodiment. The receptacle 200 also includes a telescoping collar 204 which provides the means for expanding the receptacle. Lastly, the receptacle 200 includes a flip lid assembly 206.

(49) The flip lid assembly 206 includes a locking handle 207, and a hinge 209 opposed from the locking handle. Also included is a perimeter extension 211 that covers the upper portion of the telescoping collar 204 to create a tight seal. These features are shown in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 19, the flip lid assembly 206 also includes an inner flange 213. The inner flange 213 is turned downward from the planar flip lid 215. As will be shown, this inner flange 213 aids in supporting a bag within the container 200.

(50) As shown in FIG. 13, the telescoping collar 204 is supported on the main receptacle 202. In the embodiment shown the receptacle is capable of two configurations. However, in other embodiments a greater number of configurations are possible. For the present embodiment, it will be appreciated that the main receptacle 202 includes a collar rest edge 208 for supporting the telescoping collar 204 when the receptacle 200 is in the smaller of the two configurations and a collar rest platform 210 for supporting the telescoping collar when the receptacle is in the larger of the two configurations. (The embodiment shown depicts a pair of collar rest edges 208 and a pair of collar rest platforms 210 although for clarity only one of each is discussed herein. In some embodiments of the invention, there may only be one collar rest edge 208 and one collar rest platform 210.) As will be discussed, to move the telescoping collar 204 and thus the receptacle 200 between the two positions, one must turn the telescoping collar approximately 90 degrees and either lift it from the collar rest edge 208 to the collar rest platform 210 or lower it from the collar rest platform to the collar rest edge. Appreciably the telescoping collar 204 is provided with a base 212 for resting on either the collar rest edge 208 or collar rest platform 210.

(51) As also shown in FIG. 13, the receptacle 200 includes a grip 214 on the telescoping collar 204. The grip 214 helps a user to handle the telescoping collar 204 and may be formed as a portion of the telescoping collar or may be a separate element glued or physically attached to the telescoping collar. Lastly, it is also noted that there exists a gap 216 between the telescoping collar 204 and main receptacle 202 in the area of the grip 214 in the embodiment and position shown. This gap 216 also assists a user in grasping the telescoping collar 204 by providing a place for the hand to slip under the telescoping collar.

(52) FIG. 13 also depicts a bottom cap 218. As shown in FIG. 22, the bottom cap 218 includes a continuous pressure fit wall 220 that can be fitted into the base 222 of the main receptacle 202.

(53) Moving briefly to FIG. 21, there is shown an isometric view of the main receptacle 202. Here it can be seen that the main receptacle 202 is stepped to form an inner element 224 and outer element 226 offset by step 234. It is the outer element 226 that is open at the bottom to permit fitting of the bottom cap 218.

(54) Still at FIG. 21, it can be seen that the upper edge of the inner element 224 is provided with bag mounting reliefs 226, here shown as a series of scallops. The bag mounting reliefs 226 provide locations for a bag, such as a refuse bag, to be partially pulled from within the interior volume of the receptacle 200. Once pulled, the bag can be clamped down upon by the flip lid assembly 206 as will be discussed.

(55) The inner element 224 of the main receptacle 202 is also provided with a locking tab 228 residing above the collar rest platform 210. The purpose of the locking tab 228 is to secure the receptacle 202 in the larger volume position when the base 212 of the telescoping collar 204 is resting on the collar rest platform 210. This is achieved with the provision of a locking orifice 230 located on the telescoping collar 204. Thus, when the receptacle 200 is positioned in the second position as shown in FIG. 24A, the locking tab 228 fits within the locking orifice 230 to temporarily secure the relative positions of the components. (The embodiment shown comprises a pair of locking tabs 228 and a pair of locking orifices 230 although for clarity only one of each is discussed herein. In some embodiments of the invention, there may only be one locking tab 228 and one locking orifice 230.) When it is desired to move the components to the first position of the receptacle, the telescoping collar 204 can be rotated which thereby separates the locking tab 228 from the locking orifice 230 and permits lowering of the telescoping collar to the collar rest edge 208. It will be appreciated that the main receptacle 202 includes a ramp 232 between the collar rest platform 210 and collar rest edge upon which the base 212 of the telescoping collar 204 may travel. The relationship of the locking tab 228 and locking orifice 230 may also be seen in FIG. 26.

(56) Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, there is shown positioning of the receptacle 200 for use with a small bag SB. Here, the flip lid assembly 206 is shown to include a perimeter extension 211 that is sized to a slightly larger outer diameter than the inner element 224. Thus, when a small bag SB is fitted over the inner element 224 the flip lid assembly 206 may be fitted thereupon to secure the small bag against the inner portion 224 by the perimeter extension, and specifically the inner flange 213 as shown. Notably in this configuration the small bag SB is not viewable on the exterior of the receptacle 200.

(57) When it is desired to use a large bag LB, the receptacle can be moved to the second position shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B as discussed previously. Here, the flip lid assembly 206 is shown as being attached to the telescoping collar 204 with the large bag LB supported therebetween. In this configuration, the large bag LB is squeezed between the telescoping collar 204 and the perimeter extension 211 to secure it to the receptacle 200. Notably, in this configuration the large bag LB is viewable on the exterior of the receptacle 200.F

(58) FIG. 25 demonstrates the three relative positions of the receptacle 200. In position A, the receptacle is in its reduced volume position, for example to accommodate a small refuse bag. In position C, the receptacle is in its large volume position, for example to accommodate a large refuse bag. It will be appreciated that to move from position A to position C, the receptacle 200 goes through position B, an intermediate position. Thus, the telescoping collar 204 is rotated 90 degrees about the main receptacle 202 while also being lifted along the ramp 232.

(59) FIG. 26 illustrates an internal view of how the telescoping collar 204 locks in place for the large volume position. This occurs by the combination of the base 212 resting on the collar rest platform 210 while the locking tab 228 is inserted in to the locking orifice 230.

(60) Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.