Abstract:
Disclosed is a trash container with a user actuated release mechanism that releases the container from the base allowing lifting of the container off the base, thereby leaving the filled trash bag disposed on the base of the trash can. The trash container of the present invention enables removal of the trash bag without requiring lifting of the filled trash bag to the top of the trash container. In this manner, the filled trash bag can be dragged or lifted slightly when being taken out to the curbside for pickup. In another embodiment of a trash container, a door panel is locked in place using a locking ring that once removed enables opening of the door panel to remove the trash bag. In this manner, the filled trash bag can be dragged or lifted slightly when being taken out to the curbside for pickup.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/526,835 filed Aug. 24, 2011 by the same inventor and entitled “Trash Container with Easily Removable Bag.” This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/667,445 filed Jul. 3, 2012 by the same inventor and entitled “Trash Container with Easily Removable Bag and Interlocking Ring.” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/526,835 and 61/667,445 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, including the drawings, as if repeated herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to trash containers, and more particularly to a trash container having a liner for accepting a plastic bag. 
         [0003]    Removing a plastic trash bag from a garbage container becomes difficult primarily due to a vacuum seal that is formed between the bag and the container. Lifting a trash-filled bag from the container typically creates a vacuum between the bag and the container bottom and sides. Difficulty increases for the elderly and the physically impaired when trying to lift weight due to the filled bag while simultaneously fighting this vacuum. Additionally, even if the vacuum is minimal or eliminated, friction between the bag and the container sill inhibits bag removal, as many containers are relatively light weight and simply lift off of the floor along with attempts to lift the bag from within. A lack of sturdiness of most containers can further inhibit the separation of bag and container, as the container is difficult to hold in a non-flexing posture. Complicating this problem is the need to solve the problem without increasing the cost of the trash container, as consumers will not pay for increased costs associated with a trash can. Therefore, what is needed is an inexpensive trash container that solves the aforesaid problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention solves these and other problems by providing trash container with a user actuated release mechanism that releases the container from the base allowing lifting of the container off the base without the filled trash bag, thereby leaving the filled trash bag disposed on the base of the trash can. The trash container of the present invention enables removal of the trash bag without requiring lifting of the filled trash bag to the top of the trash container. In this manner, the filled trash bag can be dragged or lifted slightly when being taken out to the curbside for pickup. 
         [0005]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of a trash container includes a cylindrical liner that attaches to a base unit. The liner and the base unit are locked together via an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism locks the liner to the base unit when the liner is lowered onto the base unit and force is applied to the top of the liner. When the user applies a small force, the actuating mechanism “clicks” to lock the liner to the base. Once locked to the base, the liner can accept a plastic bag, into which garbage is placed over time. A foot operated release disengages the actuating mechanism so that the liner is released from the base. Then, the liner may be easily lifted from the base unit leaving the garbage filled plastic bag sitting on the base unit. A foot operated release pushes a rod that engages the actuating mechanism rotating the actuating mechanism outside of the liner, thereby releasing the liner from the base. When the liner is lowered, pressure applied to the top of the liner depresses the foot operated release, thereby enabling the actuating mechanism to rotate into a recess or slot in the liner that accepts the actuating mechanism. Once the actuating mechanism is properly inside the recess or slot, the actuating mechanism provides a “click” indicating that the liner is properly placed on the base and locked in position, so a plastic bag may then be introduced into the liner. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a trash container is provided with an interlocking ring that engages with a door, which can be opened when the interlocking ring is removed. In this manner, the filled trash bag can be dragged or lifted slightly when being taken out to the curbside for pickup. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of a trash container includes an inner liner upon which a trash bag sits. The inner liner fits inside the outer container, but is somewhat smaller in height to enable a filled trash bag to be easily lifted over the top of the inner liner. An interlocking ring fits over the top of the door so that the door cannot be removed while the ring remains in place. Once the ring is removed, the door can be operated. The door can be hinged at the side, at the bottom or at the top. Alternatively, the door can be formed to slide into place. A foot pedal enables the user to open the lid of the trash container to place trash in the bag. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of trash container according to one aspect of the present invention as shown in a side view. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts the exemplary embodiment of the trash container from  FIG. 1  as shown in a top view. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts another exemplary embodiment of a trash container according to another aspect of the present invention shown in a top view. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts another exemplary embodiment of a trash container according to another aspect of the present invention shown in a side view. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  depicts the base unit of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 3-4  shown in a top view. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  depicts another exemplary embodiment of trash container according to yet another aspect of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  depicts yet another exemplary embodiment of trash container according to still another aspect of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  depicts yet another exemplary embodiment of a trash container according to yet another aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of a trash can  10  according to one aspect of the present invention. The trash can  10  includes a liner or container  11  that attaches to a base unit  12 . 
         [0017]    A lid (not shown) may be placed on the liner  11 . The lid should be designed to fit the shape of the liner  11 . A typical foot operated lid may be used along with the trash container  11  of the present invention. Alternatively, a lid that is removed manually may be employed. 
         [0018]    The base unit  12  includes at least a foot operated release mechanism or pedal  13  to enable the user to release the base unit  12  from the container  11 . The base unit  12  is also designed to fit the shape of the liner  11 . 
         [0019]    An actuating mechanism  14  is used to enable the container  11  to be locked to the base  12  and to be released from the base  12 . The actuating mechanism  14  couples with the foot pedal  13  to accept a force from a user to release the container  11  from the base  12 . The foot pedal  13  is affixed to the base unit  12  via a pin (not shown) at the center of the foot pedal  13  that enables the lever  13  to move up and down at each end. The weight of the container  11  is sufficient to maintain the lever  13  in a position whereby the portion of the foot pedal  13  that accepts the user&#39;s foot is normally in the upwards position. Pressing one&#39;s foot on the foot pedal  13  moves the foot pedal  13  to its lowest or bottom position at the end that engages with the foot. The opposite end then moves upward. The upward movement of the opposite end of the foot pedal  13  moves a vertical rod  15  upwards. When the foot is removed from the foot pedal  13 , the opposite end of the foot pedal  13  then returns to the downward or bottom position, thereby moving the vertical rod  15  downwards. Thus, depressing the foot pedal  13  moves the rod  15  upwards and removing the foot from the foot pedal  13  enables the rod  15  to return to its lowest position. 
         [0020]    One end of the rod  15  engages with a rotating actuator  14 , which rotates one direction as the rod  15  moves vertically upwards and rotates the opposite direction as the vertical rod  15  moves downwards. The rotating actuator  14  is spring loaded so that absent any pressure from the vertical rod  15 , the rotating actuator  14  remains engaged with its corresponding recess or slot  16  in the container  11 . The rotating actuator  14  is shaped to fit into a slot or recess  16  disposed in the side of container  11 . Multiple rotating actuators  14  may be employed to provide symmetry to the lock. Two actuators  14  are preferable, however, one will suffice. 
         [0021]    The container  11  used in the present invention may be cylindrical in shape or have a square cross-section, or any other shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. The container  11  includes one or more recesses or slots  16  disposed in the sides of the container  11 . The location of the one or more recesses or slots  16  is preferably towards the end of the container  11  that engages with the base unit  12 , as this decreases the length of the rod  15  or mechanism that transfers the foot applied force from the base unit  12  up to the point at which the locking mechanism  14  engages with the slots or recesses  16  in container  11 . 
         [0022]    The liner and the base unit are locked together via the actuating mechanism  14 . The actuating mechanism  14  locks the liner  11  to the base unit  12  when the liner  11  is lowered onto the base unit  12  and force is applied to the top of the liner  11 . When the user applies a small force, the actuating mechanism  14  “clicks” to lock the liner  11  to the base  12 . Once locked to the base  12 , the liner  11  can accept a plastic bag (not shown), into which garbage is placed over time. A foot operated release  13  disengages the actuating mechanism  14  from the liner  11  so that the liner  11  is released from the base  12 . Then, the  11  liner may be easily lifted from the base unit  12  leaving the garbage filled plastic bag sitting on the base unit. A foot operated release  13  pushes a rod  15  that engages the actuating mechanism  14  rotating the actuating mechanism  14  outside of the slots or recesses  16  in liner  11 , thereby releasing the liner  11  from the base  12 . When the liner  11  is lowered, pressure applied to the top of the liner  11  depresses the foot operated release  13 , thereby enabling the actuating mechanism  14  to rotate into a recess or slot  16  in the liner  11  that accepts the actuating mechanism  14 . Once the actuating mechanism  14  is properly inside the recess or slot  16 , the actuating mechanism  14  provides a “click” indicating that the liner  11  is properly placed on the base  12  and locked in position, so a plastic bag may then be introduced into the liner  11 . 
         [0023]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , shown therein is another exemplary embodiment of a trash container  30  according to the present invention shown in a front view. Embodiment  30  employs a button  31  on the top of the container  30  to release the locks  36  that enable removal of the can cylinder  33  from the base  34 , similar to the pedals in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 . Lock actuator platform  35  lowers when can cylinder  33  engages which rotates locks  36  into locking position  37 . Rod  32  connects button  31  to actuating mechanism (not shown) in base  35 . 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , shown therein is a side view of the embodiment  30  of  FIG. 3  with the actuator button  31  disposed on top of the can cylinder  33 . Rod  32  which is hidden inside the can cylinder engages the actuating mechanism when the can cylinder  33  is placed in the base  34 . Recesses  37  are where the locks  36  engage. 
         [0025]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , shown therein is base  34  with a top button as in the embodiments of  FIGS. 3-4  shown in a top view. In this view, lock actuator platform  35  can be seen as well as location  38  where the rod penetrates the base  34  to engage the actuating mechanism (not shown). 
         [0026]    When the cylinder  33  is lowered onto the base  34 , the spring tensioned platform(s)  35  are pushed down causing the locks  36  to rotate into the engaged position thereby locking the cylinder in place in recesses  37 . Depressing the button or pedal, releases the locks  36  and also allows the platform(s)  35  to return to the upper position when the cylinder  33  is removed. 
         [0027]    Alternatively, when the cylinder  33  is lowered onto the base  34 , the button or pedal is depressed which actuates a rod  32  that moves the locks  36  into the engaged position locking the cylinder  33  into place. Depressing the button or pedal again, releases the locks so the cylinder  33  can be removed. 
         [0028]    The trash container of the present invention may employ various actuating mechanisms (e.g., foot operated or hand operated) in many possible locations (e.g., top or bottom) without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of a trash can  60  according to one aspect of the present invention. The trash can  60  includes a liner  61  upon which a trash bag (not shown) rests. The trash can  60  employs a hinged door  62 , which is hinged on the side. An interlocking trash bag control ring  63  is used to place on top of the hinged door  62  in interlocking groove  64  so that the door  62  cannot be opened while the ring  63  remains in place. The ring  63  has an upper lip around its circumference that interlocks with groove  64  on the can allowing the ring  63  to fit snugly around the top of the can. The interlocking feature serves the purpose of keeping the door from opening unintended as more and more trash is stuffed into the trash bag. The ring  63  is of varying heights depending on the size of the trash can. The ring  63  also holds the trash bag in an open and upright position so that trash can be easily put into the trash bag and so that the trash bag does not fall into the base of the can. Trash bag slack can also be taken up by inserting the excess bag into the back of the ring through a hole  65  in the ring wall. 
         [0030]    A lid fits on the top of the interlocking ring and is designed to fit the shape of the outer container. A typical foot operated lid may be used along with the trash container of the present invention. Alternatively, a lid that is removed manually may be employed. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 7 , shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of a trash can  70  according to one aspect of the present invention. This embodiment  70  employs a slide in door panel  71  that slides into place along sliding groove  72 . The door panel  71  is locked in place via locking ring  73 .  FIG. 7  shows different views of the trash can  70  with the top open and closed with the sliding door locked in place. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of a trash can  80  according to yet another aspect of the present invention. This embodiment  80  employs a lower hinged front door  81 . The door panel  81  is locked in place via locking ring  83 .  FIG. 8  shows different views of the trash can  80  with the top open and closed with the door locked in place. 
         [0033]    The container used in the present invention may be cylindrical in shape or have a square cross-section, or any other shape without departing from the scope of the present invention.