Patent ID: 7690493
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: B65F

Abstract:
1. A refuse system for arenas, comprising: an upper seating level having a plurality of seats adapted for seating patrons in seated positions above an upper floor surface; a lower seating level having a plurality of seats adapted for seating patrons in seated positions above a lower floor surface, the upper seating level being above the lower seating level; a concourse level between the upper seating level and the lower seating level, the concourse level having a concourse floor surface, and having a plurality of entranceways for allowing patrons to enter and exit onto the upper and the lower seating levels; a plurality of elongated generally upright chutes spaced apart from one another along the concourse level, each of the chutes having a single upper input end in openings in the concourse floor surface, where each upper input end of the chutes is flush to the concourse floor surface and each upper input end does not extend above the concourse floor surface, each of the chutes being located adjacent the entranceways, and each of the chutes having a lower exit end below the concourse level, the chutes allowing for refuse to pass by gravity down each respective chute; and a plurality of trash can bins located above each of the upper input ends of the chutes, the trash can bins being positioned to sit on top of the concourse floor surface of the concourse level, each of the trash can bins having an upper end with a closed top, the upper end having timer openings adjacent to the closed top for receiving refuse therein when the trash can bins are in a vertical orientation perpendicular to the concourse floor surface, the upper side openings being on opposite sides of each trash can bin, and each trash can bin having a bottom end, the bottom end having front edge and side edges and rear edge that all sit directly on the concourse floor surface about each of the openings in the concourse floor surface, each trash can bin having closed side walls completely about each trash can bin, the closed sidewalls between the bottom end and the upper openings of each trash can bin, each trash can bin sitting directly over only the openings in the concourse floor surface so that only one trash can bin is connected to one chute; a plurality of hinges attaching the bottom end of the trash can bins to the concourse floor surface of the concourse level, each of the hinges having an upper end attached directly to front edge on the bottom end of each trash can bin and each of the hinges having a lower end attached directly to the concourse floor surface, the hinges for allowing the trash can bins to pivot from a vertical upright position where the front edge and the side edges and the rear edge of each trash can bin sits directly on the concourse floor surface, and is tiltable to an inclined position where only the front edge of the bottom end of each trash can bin sits directly on the concourse floor surface and the side edges and the rear edge of each trash can bin is raised above the concourse floor surface, so that tilting the bins allows for the refuse to pass through the opening and directly into the chutes; and a plurality of locks for attaching the bottom end of the trash can bins to the concourse floor surface, each lock having an upper end attached the rear edge of each trash can bin, and each lock having a lower end attached directly to the concourse floor surface opposite to the hinge tier preventing each trash can bin from being able to pivot when the lock is in a closed position, each lock having an open position for allowing the trash can bin to move from the vertical upright position to the inclined position; wherein at least one chute is divided into two side by side chutes for separating refuse types between the side by side chute.