Abstract:
A waste collection apparatus which includes multiple integrally attached waste collection receptacles. A first waste collection receptacle is intended for the collection of kitchen waste within a first refuse bin, and a second waste collection receptacle is intended for the shredding of paper and cardboard waste and the collection of the shredded waste within a second refuse bin. The inventive waste collection apparatus facilitates a separation of waste to be shredded and waste not to be shredded. The use of various features such as electrical switches and/or opposing lids may be employed to prevent the dropping or placing of undesired waste into the shredder.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to waste collection devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a waste collection apparatus which comprises multiple receptacles for shredding paper and collecting of different types of waste.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Waste collection receptacles, such as trash containers, bins, cans, pails, and the like, are well known and are commercially available in a variety of sizes ranging from small waste basket sizes and 13 gallon kitchen containers, up to 33 gallon commercial containers and large bins such as dumpsters.  
         [0005]     Waste shredders for the shredding materials such as paper, cardboard, floppy discs, and various other forms of waste are also well known in the art. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,014,920 and 5,400,978 which discloses electric, motorized shredder apparatuses for the shredding of waste, such as paper waste.  
         [0006]     In recent years, consumer demand for shredder units has increased due to several factors. Increased awareness of environmental concerns has lead to the recycling of more paper waste. Furthermore, safety concerns regarding identity theft and other personal information theft has lead many consumers to shred their mail and other paper waste prior to disposal or recycling.  
         [0007]     Since it is a common practice for many to open their mail and/or pay bills in the kitchen of their home, consumers often experience the need for a paper shredder in their kitchen, for the shredding of junk mail or other mail containing personal information. Unfortunately, the presence of a shredder in a kitchen, in addition to and often in close proximity to a food waste receptacle, is often undesirable either due to space constraints or aesthetics.  
         [0008]     Thus it would be desirable to provide a combined shredder and waste collection receptacle. A potential problem exists, however, in that certain waste items are not intended to be shredded, and certain waste items, such as food waste would cause mechanical harm to the shredder itself. The present invention offers a solution to these problems.  
         [0009]     The present invention provides a stand-alone waste collection apparatus which includes multiple, integrally attached waste collection receptacles. A first waste collection receptacle is intended for the collection of waste within a first refuse bin, and a second waste collection receptacle is intended for the shredding of thin waste such as paper and cardboard, and the collection of such shredded waste within a second refuse bin. The inventive waste collection apparatus facilitates a separation of waste to be shredded and waste not to be shredded. Furthermore, features such as electrical switches and/or opposing lids may be employed to prevent the dropping or placing of undesired waste into the shredder.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The invention provides a waste collection apparatus which comprises:  
         [0011]     a) a first waste collection receptacle comprising: 
        i) a first refuse bin for the collection of waste; said first refuse bin having an opening at a top thereof; and     ii) a refuse lid hingedly attached at the top of the first refuse bin, which refuse lid is capable of alternately covering and uncovering the opening at the top of the first refuse bin;        
 
         [0014]     b) a second waste collection receptacle integrally attached to said first waste collection receptacle, which second waste collection receptacle comprises: 
        i) a second refuse bin, having a top opening, for the collection of shredded waste;     ii) a motorized shredder positioned at the top opening of the second refuse bin, said shredder having an upper insertion slot for the insertion of matter to be shredded and having a lower waste discharge end, said shredder being positioned to discharge shredded waste into the second refuse bin; and     iii) a shredder lid hingedly attached at the top of the shredder, which shredder lid is capable of alternately covering and uncovering the upper insertion slot of the shredder.        
 
         [0018]     The invention also provides a waste collection apparatus which comprises:  
         [0019]     a) a first waste collection receptacle comprising: 
        i) a first refuse bin for the collection of waste; said first refuse bin having an opening at a top thereof; and     ii) a refuse lid hingedly attached at the top of the first refuse bin, which refuse lid is capable of alternately covering and uncovering the opening at the top of the first refuse bin;        
 
         [0022]     b) a second waste collection receptacle integrally attached to said first waste collection receptacle, which second waste collection receptacle comprises: 
        i) a support frame defining a central cavity and having a top opening,     ii) a motorized shredder having an upper insertion slot for the insertion of matter to be shredded and having a lower waste discharge end, said shredder being positioned at the top opening of the support frame such that the shredder is supported by the support frame and positioned above said central cavity;     iii) a removable second refuse bin positioned within said central cavity and below said shredder, which second refuse bin is capable of collecting shredded waste discharged from the shredder; and        
 
         [0026]     iii) a shredder lid hingedly attached at a top of the shredder, which shredder lid is capable of alternately covering and uncovering the upper insertion slot of the shredder.  
         [0027]     The invention further provides method for collecting waste which comprises:  
         [0028]     I) providing a waste collection apparatus which comprises: 
        a) a first waste collection receptacle comprising: 
            i) a first refuse bin for the collection of waste; said first refuse bin having an opening at a top thereof; and     ii) a refuse lid hingedly attached at the top of the first refuse bin, which refuse lid is capable of alternately covering and uncovering the opening at the top of the first refuse bin;    
            b) a second waste collection receptacle integrally attached to said first waste collection 
            receptacle, which second waste collection receptacle comprises:     i) a second refuse bin, having a top opening, for the collection of shredded waste;     ii) a motorized shredder positioned at the top opening of the second refuse bin, said shredder having an upper insertion slot for the insertion of matter to be shredded and having a lower waste discharge end, said shredder being positioned to discharge shredded waste into the second refuse bin; and     iii) a shredder lid hingedly attached at the top of the shredder, which shredder lid is capable of alternately covering and uncovering the upper insertion slot of the shredder; and    
            c) a electrical switch capable of blocking electric power to the motorized shredder when the shredder lid covers the upper insertion slot of the shredder;        
 
         [0038]     II) covering the upper insertion slot of the shredder with the shredder lid, thereby causing the electrical switch to block electric power to the motorized shredder; and  
         [0039]     III) uncovering the opening at the top of the first refuse bin via the refuse lid, and placing waste into the refuse bin. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0040]      FIG. 1  shows a front side perspective view of a waste collection apparatus of the invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows a rear side perspective view of a waste collection apparatus of the invention with the shredder lid and refuse lid both in an open position.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of a waste collection apparatus of the invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows a side schematic view of a waste collection apparatus of the invention having a removable shredder bin.  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  shows a rear schematic view of a waste collection apparatus of the invention, having a support frame for a removable shredder bin.  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  shows a front side perspective view of a waste collection apparatus of the invention with the shredder lid and refuse lid both in an open position facing the same direction.  
         [0046]      FIG. 7  shows a front side perspective view of a waste collection apparatus of the invention with the shredder lid and refuse lid both in an open position facing opposite directions. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0047]     The invention provides a waste collection apparatus  1 , which is shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . As the Figures show, a waste collection apparatus  1  is provided which includes a housing  8  comprising a first waste collection receptacle  3 , and a second waste collection receptacle  5  integrally attached to the first waste collection receptacle  3  at a wall  31 . The housing  8  serves as a protective structure for encasing other components of the apparatus. The housing may comprise plastic, metal, rubber, and the like or combinations thereof, or any other material which one skilled in the art may deem suitable for forming a protective structure. In one specific embodiment, portions of the housing comprise plastic, and portions of the housing comprise stainless steel or aluminum.  
         [0048]     The first waste collection receptacle  3  comprises a first refuse bin  7 , for the collection of general kitchen waste. The first refuse bin  7  comprises a container having an opening  9  at a top thereof as best seen in  FIG. 6 . The first refuse bin  7  further comprises a refuse lid  11  which is hingedly attached at the top of the first refuse bin  7 . The refuse lid  11  is capable of alternately covering and uncovering the opening  9  at the top of the first refuse bin  7 . In a specific embodiment the refuse lid  11  is hingedly attached at the top of the first refuse bin  7  via a spring and hinge arrangement  13 . The refuse lid  1   1  may further comprise an internal push latch  4  capable of alternately securing the refuse lid  11  to, and releasing the refuse lid  11  from, the top of the first refuse bin  7 . The first refuse bin  7  may also further comprise a removable internal drip tray  17  positioned at a bottom of the first refuse bin  7 . Such a drip tray  17  is particularly useful when collecting food waste such as kitchen waste in the first refuse bin  7 . The drip tray  17  may be accessible from the inside or the outside of the first refuse bin  7 . In one embodiment, the drip tray is accessible via a removable drawer at a bottom of the first refuse bin.  
         [0049]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  4 , the second waste collection receptacle  5  is integrally attached to the first waste collection receptacle  3  at wall  31 . The second waste collection receptacle  5  preferably serves to collect shredded waste such as shredded paper.  
         [0050]     The second waste collection receptacle  5  may comprise a second refuse bin  2  comprising a container having an opening  19  at a top thereof. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a motorized shredder  21  is positioned at the top opening  19  of the second refuse bin  2 .  
         [0051]     The shredder  21  has a linear upper insertion slot  23  for the insertion into the shredder of matter to be shredded. Optionally but preferably, the shredder  21  further includes a safety bar  12  across the upper insertion slot  23 .  
         [0052]     The shredder  21  further has a lower waste discharge end  25  for the discharge of shredded waste from the shredder  21 . Motorized shredders such as paper shredders are well known in the art. The shredder  21  is electrically connected to a power source. The power source may comprise any conventional power supplying means known in the art such as batteries, AC power, or the like.  
         [0053]     The shredder  21  is preferably positioned such that a matter to be shredded is inserted into the upper insertion slot  23 , shredded by the motorized shredder  21 , and the resulting shredded waste is thereby discharged from the lower waste discharge end  25  into the second refuse bin  2 . The second refuse bin  2  is preferably removable from the waste collection apparatus  1 . In a specific embodiment, the second refuse bin  2  is capable of being removed from the second waste collection receptacle  5  without removing the shredder  21  from its position at the top opening  19  of the second refuse bin  2 . This is particularly useful when collecting shredded paper waste within the second refuse bin  2 .  
         [0054]     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5 , the second waste collection receptacle  5  comprises a support frame  33  defining a central cavity  35  and having a top opening  37 . A motorized shredder  21 , as described above, is positioned at the top opening  37  of the support frame  33  such that the shredder  21  is supported by the support frame  33  and positioned above said central cavity  35 . A removable second refuse bin  2  is to be positioned within said central cavity  35  and below said shredder  21 , such that the second refuse bin  2  is capable of collecting shredded waste discharged from the shredder  21 .  
         [0055]     The motorized shredder  21  of the invention preferably comprises a shredder lid  27  which is hingedly attached at a top of the shredder  21 . The shredder lid  27  is preferably capable of alternately covering and uncovering the upper insertion slot  23  of the shredder  21 . In one embodiment the shredder lid  27  is hingedly attached at the top of the shredder  21  via a spring and hinge arrangement  6 . The shredder lid  27  may further comprise a push latch  29  capable of alternately securing the shredder lid  27  to, and releasing the shredder lid  27  from, the top of the shredder  21 .  
         [0056]     The waste collection apparatus  1  preferably comprises an electrical switch capable of blocking electric power to the motorized shredder  21  when the shredder lid  27  is positioned to cover the upper insertion slot  23  of the shredder  21 . While the electric power to the shredder  21  is blocked, a user may uncover the opening  9  at the top of the first refuse bin  7  via the refuse lid  11  and place waste into the first refuse bin  7  without mistakenly placing or dropping waste into the shredder  21 .  
         [0057]     In an alternate embodiment, the waste collection apparatus  1  comprises an electrical switch capable of blocking electric power to the motorized shredder  21  when the refuse lid  11  is open, that is when the refuse bin  11  is positioned to uncover the opening  9  at the top of the first refuse bin  7 . In a further alternate embodiment, the refuse lid  11  comprises an electric switch capable of locking the refuse lid  11 , thereby hindering the uncovering of the opening  9  at the top of the first refuse bin  7  while the shredder  21  is in operation. In a further alternate embodiment, the shredder lid  27  comprises an electrical switch capable of locking the shredder lid  27 , thereby hindering the uncovering of upper insertion slot  23  of the shredder  21  while the first refuse bin  7  is uncovered.  
         [0058]     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the refuse lid  11  and the shredder lid  27  are arranged to open in opposed positions relative to one another. Optionally, the opposed lids are arranged such that an uncovering of the opening  9  at the top of the first refuse bin  7  via the refuse lid  11  hinders the uncovering of the upper insertion slot  23  of the shredder  21  by the shredder lid  27  and an uncovering of the upper insertion slot  23  of the shredder  21  via the shredder lid  27  hinders the uncovering of the top of the first refuse bin  7  by the refuse lid  11 .  
         [0059]     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6 , the refuse lid  11  and the shredder lid  27  are arranged such that when the refuse lid  11  is positioned to uncover the opening  9  at the top of the first refuse bin  7 , and the shredder lid  27  is positioned to uncover the upper insertion slot  23  of the shredder  21 , both the refuse lid  11  and the shredder lid  27  are independently openable in the same direction. That is, both the shredder lid  27  and the refuse lid  11  are accessible from the same direction.  
         [0060]     In still another embodiment, as not shown in the drawings, the refuse lid  11  and the shredder lid  27  are arranged such that when the refuse lid  11  is positioned to uncover the opening  9  at the top of the first refuse bin  7 , and the shredder lid  27  is positioned to uncover the upper insertion slot  23  of the shredder  21 , the refuse lid  11  and the shredder lid  27  open toward each other.  
         [0061]     Preferably the first waste collection receptacle  3  and the second waste collection receptacle  5  are integrally attached at a common wall  31 . In one embodiment the common wall  31  comprises a transparent viewing window. This transparent viewing window may comprise any suitable material which would enable a viewer to see through said viewing window, nonexclusively including glass, plexiglass, mesh materials, and the like.  
         [0062]     The waste collection apparatus  1  of the invention may further comprise various control buttons  10 , for controlling features of the invention such as shredder power, shredder speed, forward and reverse shredder direction movement, and/or locking of the shredder lid and/or refuse lid, and the like. In addition the inventive waste collection apparatus may further comprise a display such as an LCD screen, a shredder on/off indicator, a clock, and the like.  
         [0063]     The present invention serves to provide a waste collection apparatus  1  that was heretofore absent from the electronics market. Not only does it provide a stand-alone combination waste collection unit which is integrally attached to a separate shredder unit, but it also provides a way to ensure that undesirable waste, which is intended for the refuse bin  7 , is not mistakenly dropped or placed into the shredder  21 .  
         [0064]     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover the disclosed embodiment, those alternatives which have been discussed above and all equivalents thereto.