Abstract:
A receptacle that counts empty beverage cans for recycling frames an opening of a waste receptacle such as a trash can or recycling bin. The apparatus includes an actuation arm located inside the opening. The arm is pressed to the side whenever a can is inserted into the waste receptacle. The arm is connected to a mechanical counter located on an outside of a lid. After each can is added, the counter increments by one (1) to indicate the number of beverage cans inside of the container. The counter can be reset when the container is emptied or the bag changed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in U. S. Patent Provisional No. 61/592,882 filed on Jan. 31, 2012 the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention to a lid for a waste container having a counting device thereon, where the counting device is configured to incrementally tally an item deposited in the waste container when contacted. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With society&#39;s increasing awareness of the world&#39;s dwindling supply of natural resources and overflowing landfills, many communities are providing and even mandating recycling services to its residents. The benefits of these efforts have already begun to be seen and will continue to be realized in the future. However, as with most beneficial programs, these efforts are accompanied by some burdens. Perhaps the biggest burden is “special requirements” that accompany the collection of recycled materials. This may include presorting by the consumer, the use of special bags and/or containers, or the like. 
     One (1) additional requirement, for the collection of used beverage cans, is that they are packaged in bags with a certain quantity, especially for monetary rebates. Thus the user is typically forced to wait until more than enough cans are collected, and then recount the correct amount into a separate bag or container. This not only takes time and increases fuss, but also forces the consumer to wait longer than necessary to collect any recycling credit. Can and bottle counter apparatuses do exist but none are conducive for personal use in one&#39;s home, or, if they are, they are not configured to be retro-fitted onto any standard trash or recycling receptacle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,819 shows a can differentiator and counter reverse-vending machine. This machine is placed inside local convenience and food stores for consumers to bring empty cans to and deposit into the machine. The machine determines the type of metal of each can, counts the number of cans deposited, and tenders payment to the depositor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,062 shows an empty can counter and limiter device that is placed on top of a standard refuse receptacle by taking the place of the lid of the receptacle. Such a device can only be employed on receptacles with openings that match the size of the device because the device serves as the lid. The counting mechanism comprises of a photosensor and electrical circuit interface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,791 shows a specially designed container and refuse bag that works in concert to collect and count bottles and cans to be recycled. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,031 shows a can counting machine that is to be employed by recycling and processing scrap yards to receive large quantities of various metal cans. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,131 shows a counting apparatus that is formed into a lid and placed upon bins to count the number of items deposited into the bin. Such a device can only be employed on receptacles with openings that match the size of the device because the device serves as the lid. 
     The present invention affords a user the ability to retro-fit the device to virtually any container having a lid. The patents cited are counting apparatuses for cans and other objects, and are designed for practically similar functions; however, none of the cited patents allows a user to retro-fit the device on virtually any container. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,545,062 and 5,224,131 are devices that also serve as a lid so these can only be employed on similar sized containers. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,791 and 5,090,031 are specially designed containers and machines that do not exhibit any retro-fitting capabilities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a counter device that tallies the number of empty cans, or other similar objects, deposited into a receptacle, which can be employed with most standard trash and recycling receptacles. The device is designed to be placed on top and fitted onto a lid of a standard trash or recycling bin. The user cuts a hole in the lid and fits the device on top, aligning a receiving aperture of the device with the opening created by the cut. The device comprises of an external collar forming a frame, a pivoting activation arm located inside an opening of the frame, a counting apparatus, and a fastener mechanism. 
     The frame further comprises a housing fabricated from material exhibiting suitable properties of rigidity and durability, and is configured to form enveloping walls extending downward to define a hollow interior channel with a receiving aperture granting access to the interior channel. A user deposits an object through the receiving aperture, and, as it falls, it leads into the interior channel, then into a cavity portion of the trash or recycling receptacle. 
     The housing is equipped with fasteners to fasten it to a lid portion of a trash or recycling receptacle. The pivot actuation arm is located at an inner surface of the enveloping wall portion. The pivot actuation arm is connected, via an indexing shaft to the counting apparatus, which is located at an exterior side wall of the housing. 
     The counting apparatus is preferably a digital mechanical counter with a reset feature. As an object is deposited through the receiving aperture, the pivoting actuation arm moves in response to the object, which activates the counting apparatus and begins a tally in increments of one (1) due to a ratchet mechanism interfaced with the engagement tine of the indexing shaft. A beneficial feature is for the counter apparatus to be provided with a counter reset to zero-out the counter tally. 
     A user first obtained a receptacle bin equipped with an accompanying lid, such as any standard trash or recycling bins found in local stores. A hole is cut in the lid that is substantially the size of the receiving aperture of the device. The device is positioned over the lid opening such that the channel and bottom opening are aligned with the lid opening. The device is then attached by a plurality mechanical fasteners. By resetting the counting device to a zero (0) count, the device is ready for use. Each time an object is inserted into a top opening of the receptacle, the pivoting actuation arm is activated thereby causing the arm to rotate the indexing shaft and advance the count by one (1) unit. The device is used over the course of days or weeks until the desired number is registered on the counting device. When the container is emptied, the counter is reset to zero (0). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a receptacle with counter device  10  depicted in use with a waste container  11  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle with counter device  10  depicted with a waste container lid  12  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view along the line A-A in  FIG. 2  of the receptacle with counter device  10  showing a can  13  being inserted therein in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view along the line A-A in  FIG. 2  of the receptacle with counter device  10  showing a can  13  being counted in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up view of the actuation arm  32 , plurality of digit wheels  35 , and ratchet  36  assembly in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a receptacle lid  40  with an integral counter device  10  depicted in use with a waste container  11  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  receptacle with counter device 
               11  waste container 
               12  lid 
               13  can 
               14  lid opening 
               20  receptacle housing 
               21  channel 
               22  sidewall 
               23  top opening 
               24  bottom opening 
               25  access aperture 
               26  fastener 
               30  counting device 
               31  indexing shaft 
               32  actuation arm 
               33  contact point 
               34  counter reset 
               35  digit wheel 
               36  ratchet gear 
               37  engagement tine 
               38  return spring 
               39  bracket 
               40  alternate lid 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4  and in  FIG. 6  as an alternate embodiment. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a receptacle with a counting device (herein referred to as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means to mechanically count, and keep track of, the number of items placed into the container  11  to which the receptacle  10  is attached. As used herein, the term waste container  11  refers to any waste container, refuse canister, trash can, recycling container or other similar receptacle. This type of waste container  11  typically includes a container body for holding amounts of waste prior to pick up or disposal. The container  11  can include wheels attached to the container body or have no wheels. The container  11  can be provided with a removable lid  12  or an attached, hinged lid  11  that covers an interior of the container body. The waste container  11  can be used with out without a disposable can liner. 
     In certain embodiments, the device  10  is attached to the lid  12  of an existing waste container  11  with slight modifications. In certain embodiments, the device  10  is integral to the lid  40  of the container  11  forming a unitary device as shown in  FIG. 6 . Additionally, it can be appreciated that while the device  10  is particularly beneficial in the counting of cans  13 , bottles, and similar recyclable materials; it can be used for counting objects of various different types. For the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments, the device  10  is described as being a can counter used in association with a recycling container  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the device  10  mounted to the lid  12  of a waste container  11  in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is comprised of a receptacle housing  20  and a counting device  30  mounted to the exterior of the housing  20  for incrementally counting the number of cans  13  inserted into the housing  20  for deposit within the container  11 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  20  has a generally square shape having four (4) sidewalls  22  connected along vertical edges defining a hollow interior channel  21 . It can be appreciated that the housing  20  can have various shapes, such as round or hexagonal yet still defining an internal hollow channel  21  extending entirely though the housing  20  and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor of the device  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  20  is approximately four inches (4 in.) long, four inches (4 in.) wide, and four inches (4 in.) high. However it can be appreciated that the dimensions of the housing can vary without deviating from the scope and purpose of the device  10 . The housing  20  is preferably fabricated from a rigid, durable polymer in a typical thermoforming process, and includes a top opening  23  which provides access to the interior channel  21 , and a bottom opening  24  at the lower end of the channel  21  as can be seen in  FIG. 3 . The top opening  23 , the channel  21 , and the bottom opening  24  provide a passage for the can  13  to pass through a lid opening  14  in the lid  12  for deposit into the container  11 . The lid opening  14  is approximately equivalent in size and shape to the bottom opening  24  of the housing  20 . The housing  20  is fastened to the top surface of the lid  12  by at least one (1) fastener  26 , such as an angle clip with threaded fasteners, as best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded perspective view of the receptacle with counter device  10  depicted with a waste container lid  12  and  FIG. 5 , a close-up view of the actuation arm  32 , plurality of digit wheels  35 , and ratchet  36  assembly, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The housing  20  includes an access aperture  25  disposed in a sidewall to accommodate the motion of the actuation arm  32  of the counting device  30 . The counting device  30  is affixed to the exterior of the side wall of the housing  20  in proximity to the access aperture  25  with threaded fasteners or metal rivets. The actuation arm  32  has a proximal end and is attached to the indexing shaft  31  of the counting device  30  and projects through the access aperture  25  and into the channel  21  to terminate at a distal end. The distal end is a plate defining a contact point  33  that resides generally subjacent to the center of the top opening  23  to ensure contact with a can  13  as the can  13  passes through the receptacle housing  20 . The counting device  30  is preferably a Dayton, model  6 X 158 , five-digit mechanical counter with a reset feature, or similar. Each time the actuation arm  32  moves downwardly in response to a can  13  passing through the channel  21 , the counter tally is advanced by one (1) unit through a ratchet  36  operably controlled by the indexing shaft  31 . Since the digit wheels  35  are connected through the ratchet  36 , the digit wheels  35  do not reverse in response to the actuation arm  32  being returned to the up position by the action of an included spring  38  and thus keep a running tally of the number of cans  13  deposited within the container  12 . The counting device  30  also includes a counter reset  34  which can return all of the digit wheels  35  to a zeroed position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , section views along the line A-A in  FIG. 2  of the receptacle lid  12  with counting device  30  showing a can  13  being counted in accordance to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is presented. The can  13  is inserted into the top opening  23  and continues through the channel  21  formed by the sidewalls  22  of the receptacle housing  20 , eventually depressing the contact point  33  of the actuation arm  32  of the counting device. As the contact point  33  is encountered, the actuation arm  32  travels downward to operably rotate the index shaft  31 , where an engagement tine  37  of a drum portion of the indexing shaft  31  rotates the ratchet  36  and thus the digit wheels  35 , thereby causing the counting mechanism  30  to be advanced one (1) count. The digit wheels  35  each have a plurality of incremental numerals disposed thereon. The can  13  continues to progress through the channel  21  and pass by the actuation arm  32  which can then be returned to the horizontal orientation by the return spring  38 . The return spring  38  is mounted via a bracket  39  to the exterior of the housing  20  adjacent to the counting mechanism  30 . The can  13  finally passes through the bottom opening  24  of the receptacle housing  20  and the lid opening  14  to be deposited in the container  11 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and straight forward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the device  10  having the desired operating options; cutting a lid opening  14  in the lid  12 ; positioning the housing  20  over the lid opening  14  such that the channel  21  and bottom opening  24  are aligned with the lid opening  14 ; attaching the housing  20  to the lid  12  by a plurality of brackets  26  and mechanical fasteners; installing the lid  12  onto the container  11 ; resetting the counting device  30  via the counter reset  34  to zero (00000); and inserting a can  13  into the top opening  23  of the receptacle housing  20  and having the can  13  pass through the channel  21  of the receptacle housing  20  to depress the contact point  33  of the actuation arm  32  and thereby cause the actuation arm  32  to rotate the indexing shaft  31 , to which the proximal end of the actuation arm  32  is attached, to advance the count by one (1) unit according to the preferred embodiment, one at a time, over the course of days or weeks, until the desired number is registered on the counting device  30 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.