Abstract:
An apparatus for the collection and disposal of waste material is provided. The apparatus includes a receptacle adapted d to be placed on a support surface having a generally upright handle attached thereto. The receptacle includes a lower tray and a cooperating upper portion. The lower tray has substantially planar bottom wall, a pair of vertically extending side walls which include elongated lateral slots. The upper portion has a generally shell-like configuration, and includes a pair of vertically depending side walls which are slidably disposed between said vertically extending side walls of the lower tray. The upper portion has an arcuate front portion which has a front edge adapted to scape a horizontal surface and a downwardly sloping rear portion adapted for flush alignment with the bottom wall of the lower tray. The upper portion secured to the lower tray by pivot members which extend through the elongated lateral slots of the lower tray. The upper portion is thus slidably and rotatably engaged with the lower tray so that the upper portion is operable to scrape materials from the support surface onto the lower tray so as to capture materials in said receptacle. A method for collecting materials from a support surface is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to the field of refuse collecting devices, and more specifically to a pickup device for the collection and disposal of waste materials.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In the prior art, there are numerous devices and schemes for collecting waste materials without the need for direct user contact with the waste material. Many such devices are directed toward the removal of animal waste. In addition to this very obvious application, there are other more specialized instances requiring efficient removal of refuse from the floor or ground without physical contact. In the medical field, it is especially critical that medical wastes, such as syringes and items contaminated with bodily fluids, be collected and disposed in a sanitary manner. In an industrial environment, hazardous chemicals may be present, as well as potentially dangerous sharp objects like broken glass and scrap metal pieces.  
           [0003]    Most prior art collection devices are designed to be used in conjunction with a second implement to sweep, push, scrape, or lift waste material into the receptacle. This requires the individual to use both hands. A distinct disadvantage of this arrangement is that it generally brings the individual into closer contact with the waste material than is desired. An example of an enclosed receptacle for receiving waste materials is seen in Barbaro, U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,995. Barbaro discloses a floor level locking compartment having an upright handle. The fact that the Barbaro device requires a second implement to place the waste material into the receptacle makes it unsuitable for medical applications since the second implement would become contaminated with the waste material.  
           [0004]    In order to overcome the clear disadvantage of a needing a second implement, some devices demonstrate the use of a mechanically operated scoop or pushing implement which is integral to the device. Examples include Tanahara, U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,264, Warkentin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,321 and Tsou, U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,959. Each teaches the use of disposable bags or receptacles for the refuse. However, in each of these devices, the scoop or pushing implement directly contacts the waste material and would therefore become contaminated. Further, operation of the pushing implement in each of these devices is implemented by a mechanical linkage between the gripping handle and the pushing implement. These devices therefore have a number of mechanical parts which are prone to breakage or fouling. The mechanical parts also present difficult in maintaining the cleanliness of the apparatus.  
           [0005]    A scoop-type implement, such as would be used in Solypa—U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,627, would be unsuitable for a smooth floor surface since a scooping action would only serve to push the waste material forward, and could result in spreading the material.  
           [0006]    Thus, what is needed is a device for collecting and disposing of waste materials which is self-contained to allow for one-hand operation, and which provides a means to collect waste materials in a sanitary manner wherein the waste material does not contact the device itself.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is an objective of the invention to provide a device for collecting waste material from a floor or ground surface which can be operated with one hand, and does not require additional pushing or sweeping implements.  
           [0008]    It is another objective to provide a device for collecting waste material which has a minimal number of moving parts and can be inexpensively manufactured.  
           [0009]    It is still another objective to provide a device for collecting waste material which can be used to collect, bag, transport and deposit wastes without contaminating the apparatus itself.  
           [0010]    It is a further objective of the invention to provide a device for collecting waste material which can safely and efficiently collect and dispose of medical wastes such as hypodermic syringes, objects contaminated by bodily fluids and infectious materials.  
           [0011]    It is yet a further objective of the invention to provide a device for collecting waste material which can safely and efficiently collect and dispose of sharp-edged objects such as broken glass and metal filings.  
           [0012]    It is still a further objective of the invention to provide a device for collecting waste material which can safely and efficiently collect and dispose of objects which may be contaminated with hazardous chemicals.  
           [0013]    In accordance with the above objectives, an apparatus for the collection of materials from a support surface is provided. The apparatus includes a receptacle adapted to be placed on a support surface which includes a lower tray and a cooperating upper portion. The lower tray has substantially planar bottom wall, a pair of vertically extending side walls. The front and back of the lower tray are substantially open. The vertically extending side walls respectively include elongated lateral slots extending therethrough. The upper portion has a generally convex configuration, and includes a pair of vertically depending side walls which are slidably disposed between said vertically extending side walls of the lower tray. The upper portion has an arcuate front portion which has a front edge adapted to scape a horizontal surface and a downwardly sloping rear portion adapted for flush alignment with the bottom wall of the lower tray. The side walls of the upper portion further include downwardly depending attachment lips.  
           [0014]    The receptacle further includes an attachment means for securing the upper portion to the lower tray. The preferred attachment means are pivot members fixedly attached the attachment lips of the upper portion which extend through the elongated lateral slots of the lower tray. The upper portion is slidably and rotatably engaged with the lower tray, whereby the upper portion is operable to scrape materials from the support surface onto the lower tray so as to capture materials in said receptacle. The rear edge of the lower tray may include an outwardly extending foot placement tab so that the lower tray can be held in place by the foot of the user while materials are being collected.  
           [0015]    The apparatus can include a generally upright handle attached to the upper portion to allow a user to rotate the upper portion with respect to said lower tray, and also to laterally translate said upper portion with respect to said lower tray. The apparatus can include a handle receptacle adapted to removably receive the handle so that the handle can be removed, if desired. The handle receptacle is preferably adapted to be manually gripped by a user so that the device can be operated without the handle.  
           [0016]    The apparatus can include a sweeping implement downwardly depending from said front edge of said upper portion. The sweeping implement is preferably a bristled brush which is detachable from the receptacle. The sweeping implement can also be a plastic strip.  
           [0017]    The apparatus can further include a handle grip affixed to the distal end of the handle which is adapted to store and dispense plastic bags. The handle grip can include an aperture through which plastic bags are dispensed.  
           [0018]    The invention includes a method for collecting material from a support surface which includes the steps of placing the receptacle behind the material to be collected, rotating the front edge of the upper portion upward, sliding the upper portion forward relative to the lower tray until the front edge of the upper portion is a position beyond the material, rotating the front edge of the upper portion downward to contact the support surface and encompass the material within the upper portion, sliding the upper portion backward relative to the lower tray to drag the material onto the lower tray, rotating the upper portion backward until the rear edge of the upper portion is flushly aligned with the bottom wall of the lower tray, lifting the receptacle in a forward rotational motion until the lower tray is approximately 45° from the horizontal, transporting the receptacle to a deposit location; lifting the receptacle in a forward rotational motion until the lower tray rotates to a vertical position, and releasing the material into the deposit location. The method further includes the step of inserting a plastic bag into the receptacle, wherein materials to be collected are deposited in the plastic bag.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view, taken from the front and right, of the apparatus for a waste collection according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the receptacle is shown in an open position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken from the rear and left;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is rear view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is right side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the detail of the right side pivot member of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0026]    FIGS.  8 A-F illustrate the sequential steps of a preferred mode of operation of the waste collection apparatus according to a the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]    FIGS.  9 A-F illustrate the sequential steps of the preferred mode of operation of the apparatus utilizing disposable plastic bags;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 illustrates a sweeping implement affixed to the waste collection apparatus according to a the preferred embodiment;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred means of attachment of the sweeping implement to the apparatus;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 illustrates a cutaway view of the handle receptacle of the present invention showing the placement of the handle therein;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 13A an  13 B illustrate the manual operation of the apparatus with the handle removed from the handle receptacle; and  
         [0032]    FIGS.  14 A-F illustrate the sequential steps of the preferred mode of operation in which the handle is removed from the handle receptacle.  
         [0033]    FIGS.  15 A-F illustrate the sequential steps of the preferred mode of operation utilizing disposable plastic bags in which the handle is removed from the handle receptacle.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    Although the invention will be described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements, and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.  
         [0035]    An apparatus  10  for collecting and disposing of waste materials according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.  1 - 6 . The apparatus  10  includes a receptacle  12  adapted to be placed on a support surface and a generally upright handle  14 . The handle  14  is removable from the receptacle  12 , and is positionable in a handle receptacle  15 . The receptacle  12  includes a lower tray  16  and a cooperating upper portion  18 . The lower tray  16  has substantially planar bottom wall  21  and a pair of vertically extending left and right side walls  23   a  and  23   b . The front and back of the lower tray  16  are generally open, and terminate in front and rear edges  25  and  26 . The rear edge can include a planar foot placement tab  32  which extends outwardly from rear edge  26 . The left and right side walls  23   a  and  23   b  respectively include elongated lateral slots  24   a  and  24   b.    
         [0036]    The upper portion  18  has a generally shell-like configuration and is dimensioned to be slidably disposed between left and right side walls  23   a  and  23   b  which are preferably flushly aligned with the left and right side walls  23   a,b  of the lower tray. The upper portion  18  includes opposing vertically oriented side walls  29   a  and  29   b . The width of upper portion  18  is dimensioned to be closely aligned with left and right side walls  23   a  and  23   b  while still allowing upper portion  18  to slide freely within the lower tray  16 . The length of upper portion  18  is preferably approximately equal to the distance between front and rear edges  25  and  26 . The upper portion  18  includes a front portion  31  and a rear portion  33  which can be generally defined by a line of intersection  35 .  
         [0037]    The rear portion  33  includes a top surface  37  which preferably slopes downwardly from the line of intersection  35  to a rear edge  39  which is perpendicular to side walls  29   a,b . The front portion  31  has a generally scoop-like shape and includes an arcuate top surface  41  which terminates in a front edge  43 .  
         [0038]    The side walls  29   a,b  of the upper portion  18  preferably include downwardly extending attachment lips  45   a,b . The upper portion  18  is fixedly attached to lower tray  15  by means of pivot members  27   a,b  which are preferably fixedly attached to attachment lips  45   a,b . FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates in detail the attachment of the upper portion  18  to lower tray  16 . The pivot members  27   a,b  respectively extend through the lateral slots  24   a  and  24   b  and can be secured by pivot heads  47   a,b . The pivot members  27   a,b  can be integrally formed with upper portion  18  or can be otherwise attached to the upper portion  18  using any suitable attachment means.  
         [0039]    The pivot members  27   a,b  preferably allow rotational motion of the upper portion  18  with t 5  respect to the lower tray  16 . The pivot members  27   a,b  can also laterally translate through the elongated slots  24   a,b  so that upper portion  18  can slide along the length of lower tray  16 . When the front portion  31  of upper portion  18  is fully rotated upwards, the rear edge  33  of upper portion  18  is preferably flushly aligned with the bottom wall  21  of lower tray  16 . When the front portion  18  is rotated fully downwards, the front edge  43  is flushly aligned with either the bottom wall  21 , or if the upper portion  18  is slid forward a sufficient distance with respect to lower tray  16 , with an underlying floor or ground surface. As will be discussed in detail hereinafter, the upper portion  18  is functional to pull or drag materials from the floor or ground surface into the receptacle  12 . To accomplish this, the placement of the elongated slots  24   a,b  and the configuration of the upper portion  18  cooperate to allow the front edge  43  to be rotated to a sufficient height to fully encompass the materials to be collected.  
         [0040]    A preferred mode of operation of the apparatus  10  is sequentially illustrated in FIGS.  8 A-F. The apparatus  10  is positioned so that the lower tray  16  rests on a ground or floor surface  51  and positioned proximal to material to be collected, represented in the illustration as objects  53 . The lower tray can be secured in place by the user by placing the user&#39;s foot on the tab  32 . The user manipulates the handle  14  to push the upper portion  18  forward with respect to lower tray  16 . In the same motion, the handle  14  can be tilted to a backward position (counterclockwise in the illustration) in order to rotate the front portion  31  of upper portion  18  to a raised position (FIG. 8A). The handle  14  can then be rotated in a forward direction (clockwise in the illustration) so that the upper portion  18  covers the objects  53  (FIG. 8B). The front edge  43  is preferably flushly aligned with the floor or ground surface  51 . While maintained this flush alignment, the handle is urged rearwardly by the user without rotational motion so as to drag the objects  53  int the receptacle  12 .  
         [0041]    At this point, the apparatus  10  is then lifted from the floor or ground surface  51  so that the objects  53  can be deposited in a suitable location, such as a refuse container. The handle  14  is rotated backwardly (counterclockwise as shown) until the rear edge  26  abuts the bottom wall  21  (FIG. 8D). The receptacle  10  is then manually lifted from the ground in a circular motion motion until the lower tray is at a position of approximately 45° from the horizontal. (FIG. 8E). In this position, the bottom wall  21  of the lower tray  16  is then biased against the rear edge  26  of upper tray  18  so that the objects  53  are maintained in the receptacle  12 . The apparatus  10  can be then carried with the objects  53  secured inside to a desired location. To release the objects  53 , the handle  14  is rotated to a position of approximate 90° from the vertical position. This motion causes the lower tray  14  to rotate and fall downward along the elongated slots  24   a,b  to a vertical position, allowing the objects  53  to fall out (FIG. 8F). In use, the apparatus  10  would typically be carried to a refuse container to release the objects  53 .  
         [0042]    For sanitary operation, the apparatus  10  can also be used with disposable plastic bags as illustrated in FIGS.  9 A-F. The plastic bag  61  is initially fitted inside the receptacle  10  so as to cover the upper portion  18  and the lower tray  16 . The edges if the plastic bag  61  can be folded around the outer edges of the upper portion  18  and the lower tray  16  to hold the plastic bag  61  in place. The steps illustrated in FIG. 2A-C are then repeated to drag the objects  53  into plastic bag  61  located in the receptacle  12 . Using the handle  14 , the user can manipulate the upper portion  18  to release it from the plastic bag  61 . In step  3 E, the apparatus  10  is lifted in a rotation motional (as in step  23 ) so that the handle  14  is approximately 30° from the vertical. The plastic bag  61 , with the objects  53  contained therein, is then secured within the receptacle  12 . If desired, the apparatus  10  can then be transported by the user to a desired location to deposit the plastic bag  61  and its contents. As in step  2 F, the handle  14  is rotated to a position of approximate 90° from the vertical position to release its contents. The lower tray  16  then rotates and falls downward along the elongated slots  24   a,b  to a vertical position, and the plastic bag  61  is released with its objects  53  intact inside the bag. The user can then manually seal the bag, if desired. Use of the plastic bag  61  in conjunction with the apparatus  10  advantageously ensures that the apparatus  10  and the deposit location are not contaminated by the material being collected.  
         [0043]    In the preferred embodiment, a handle grip  13  affixed to the handle  14  can also serve as a then carried with the objects  53  secured inside to a desired location. To release the objects  53 , the handle  14  is rotated to a position of approximate 90° from the vertical position. This motion causes the lower tray  14  to rotate and fall downward along the elongated slots  24   a,b  to a vertical position, allowing the objects  53  to fall out (FIG. 8F). In use, the apparatus  10  would typically be carried to a refuse container to release the objects  53 .  
         [0044]    For sanitary operation, the apparatus  10  can also be used with disposable plastic bags as illustrated in FIGS.  9 A-F. The plastic bag  61  is initially fitted inside the receptacle  10  so as to cover the upper portion  18  and the lower tray  16 . The edges if the plastic bag  61  can be folded around the outer edges of the upper portion  18  and the lower tray  16  to hold the plastic bag  61  in place. The steps illustrated in FIG. 2A-C are then repeated to drag the objects  53  into plastic bag  61  located in the receptacle  12 . Using the handle  14 , the user can manipulate the upper portion  18  to release it from the plastic bag  61 . In step  3 E, the apparatus  10  is lifted in a rotation motional (as in step  23 ) so that the handle  14  is approximately 30° from the vertical. The plastic bag  61 , with the objects  53  contained therein, is then secured within the receptacle  12 . If desired, the apparatus  10  can then be transported by the user to a desired location to deposit the plastic bag  61  and its contents. As in step  2 F, the handle  14  is rotated to a position of approximate 90° from the vertical position to release its contents. The lower tray  16  then rotates and falls downward along the elongated slots  24   a,b  to a vertical position, and the plastic bag  61  is released with its objects  53  intact inside the bag. The user can then manually seal the bag, if desired. Use of the plastic bag  61  in conjunction with the apparatus  10  advantageously ensures that the apparatus  10  and the deposit location are not contaminated by the material being collected.  
         [0045]    In the preferred embodiment, a handle grip  13  affixed to the handle  14  can also serve as a storage container for plastic bags  61  to be used with the apparatus  10 . This is most clearly seen in FIGS.  1 - 6 . The plastic bags are can be dispensed from an aperture located at the top of the grip  13 . Any suitable means can be incorporated into the apparatus  10  to dispense plastic bags, and the invention is not limited in this regard.  
         [0046]    As seen in FIG. 10, the front edge  43  of upper portion  18  can also include a sweeping implement  63  which extends downwardly from the front edge  43  to facilitate the collection of materials. The sweeping implement  63  is illustrated as a bristled brush, however the sweeping implement  63  can be any suitable structure which is functional to sweep or scrape materials into the receptacle  12 . The sweeping implement  63  can also be a strip of pliable plastic. FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred means of affixing the sweeping implement to the upper portion  18 . The inside surface  71  of the upper portion  18  can include an integrally formed groove  73  parallel to the front edge  43 . The groove  73  is dimensioned for mated engagement with the attachment portion  75  of the sweeping implement  63 . The sweeping implement  63  is preferably removable from the upper portion  18  for cleaning or replacement purposes.  
         [0047]    In the preferred embodiment, the handle  14  is removable from the handle receptacle  15  for cleaning and storage purposes, as well as for an alternative mode of operation to be described hereinafter. As shown in the cutaway view shown in FIG. 12, the handle receptacle includes a cavity  81  adapted to slidably receive the handle  14 . The cavity  81  is preferably dimensioned for close engagement with the handle  14 . FIGS. 13A an  13 B illustrate the operation of the apparatus  10  without the handle  14  inserted into the handle receptacle  15 . The handle receptacle  15  is preferably configured to allow a user to manually grip the handle receptacle  15  and operate the apparatus in the manner previously described. The sequential steps for this mode of operation are illustrated in FIGS.  14 A-F (without plastic bags inserted) and  15 A-F (with plastic bags). This mode of operation is particular useful for collecting waste materials from a table top or other elevated work surface.  
         [0048]    The relative dimensions for components of the apparatus  10  as depicted in the figures are for illustrative purposes only, and the dimensions of the receptacle  12  with respect to the handle  14  can vary depending on the desired application for the apparatus  10 . If the approximate size of the objects to be collected is known, the size of the receptacle  12  can be varied accordingly. For example, if the apparatus  10  is the be used to collect hypodermic syringes, the receptacle  12  can be scaled to the appropriate dimensions to contain a hypodermic syringe.  
         [0049]    The apparatus  10  can be constructed from a suitable materials, such as plastic or metal, or a combination thereof. Injection-molded plastic is a suitable material for applications in which it is desired that the apparatus  10  be lightweight and inexpensively manufactured. Metal components, such as the pivots and the pivot heads, can be used in combination with plastic components. Plastic can also be used for applications where the apparatus  10  (or only the receptacle  12 ) is intended to be disposable. For industrial applications, it may be desired to construct at least some of the components of the apparatus  10  from metal to provide the necessary sturdiness.  
         [0050]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.