Abstract:
A product line of heavy-duty rolling trash receptacles designed for exterior household and commercial use, and featuring a unique, interlocking, magnetic lid system that will keep the contents secure and safe from animal pests when closed, yet remain open by magnetic attraction when the cans are opened for emptying.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/969,358, filed Mar. 24, 2014 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of trash cans and more specifically relates to a trash can with a permanent lid. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Most households in the United States have curbside trash pick-up, and many municipalities have regulations requiring that household trash receptacles be equipped with lids. The trouble is that conventional trash cans typically have separate lids, and these present at least two problems. First, the lids tend to get lost, and without a lid, a trash can is open for raccoons, rats, and other animal pests to disturb. Secondly, the agency that picks up the trash must remove the lid to empty the can; and even with cans that feature permanent, hinged lids, the lids do not remain in the open position for emptying. A suitable solution is desirable. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,574 to William L. Redmayne; U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,051 to Jiaming Jin et al; and U.S. Design Pat. No. D292,037 to Paul H. Hanifl. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, a trash can system should provide ease of use and secure containment for refuse and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable trash can system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known trash can art, the present invention provides a novel trash can system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a trash can system. 
     A trash can system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising: a trash can assembly including a receptacle body (having an inner volume, an outer surface, and at least one first-body-magnet, at least one second-body-magnet, and a handle, wheels), and an interlocking lid assembly (having a first-lid having a first-lid-magnet, a second-lid having a second-lid-magnet); wherein the trash can system comprises the trash can assembly. 
     The trash can assembly comprises in functional combination the receptacle body, and the interlocking lid assembly. The wheels are mounted to the receptacle body via appropriate means such that the trash can assembly is readily movable between locations; the handle allowing manipulation during moving of the receptacle body. 
     The parameters of the receptacle body are defined by the inner volume, and the outer surface; wherein the receptacle body preferably comprises a 3D rectangular profile with an open top with flat walls and a bottom. The at least one first-body-magnet is integral with the outer surface to couple to the first-lid-magnet, as needed; wherein the first-lid comprises a planar profile, and a forked-shape comprising two first-fingers. The at least one second-body-magnet is integral with the outer surface to couple to the second-lid-magnet, as needed; wherein the second-lid comprises a flat profile comprising an E-shape; wherein the E-shape comprise three second-fingers. The two first-fingers are staggered between the three second-fingers when rotated into a folding relationship with one another during closing, the two first-fingers having a lip that the three second-fingers are able to rest upon when the receptacle body is closed via the interlocking lid assembly. 
     The inner volume of the receptacle body is suitably sized to storingly-fit at least one item of refuse therein; wherein the inner volume is able to be open and closed via the first-lid and the second-lid; wherein the first-lid and the second-lid are able to interlock in a closed-condition. The first-lid is connected to the receptacle body via a first-hinge; the first-lid able to rotate between open and closed positions about a first centerline axis of the first-hinge. The first-lid-magnet is structured and arranged to mate with the at least one first-body-magnet to retain the first-lid in the open position when desired. In a similar manner the second-lid is connected to the receptacle body via a second-hinge; the second-lid able to rotate between the open and closed positions about a second centerline axis of the second-hinge. The second-lid-magnet is structured and arranged to mate with the at least one second-body-magnet to retain the second-lid in the open position when desired. The first-lid and the second-lid are able to swing apart from each other (rotating about respective axis) when opened to allow access to the inner volume of the receptacle body; wherein the trash can assembly is structured and arranged to provide securement from external manipulation (such as animals), when closed, such that the at least one item of refuse is prevented from undesirable removal. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a trash can system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, trash can system constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a trash can system in a closed condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a trash can assembly of the trash can system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view illustrating the trash can assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view illustrating the trash can assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is yet another perspective view illustrating the trash can assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a trash can and more particularly to a trash can system as used to improve the effective containment of refuse when stored. 
     Generally speaking, a product line of heavy-duty, rolling trash containers for residential and light-commercial use is embodied herein, offered in various shapes and sizes, and all equipped with a secure, interlocking, permanently fastened lid system that prevents animal pests from accessing the can when the lid is closed, yet permit the lid to remain open in a locked position for easy emptying. The Trash Cans with Permanent Lid may be produced in a square version measuring 2 feet in width and depth by 3 feet in height; and a rectangular version measuring 3 feet in width, 1 foot in depth and 3 feet in height; and other versions, including a version with a round base, and a version without wheels, are envisioned. The material used for construction of the cans may be a lightweight and exceptionally tough and durable laminate, composed of an inner ¼-inch layer of aluminum alloy with an outer ¼-inch layer of a thermoplastic polymer or a synthetic rubber. Two rubber (or plastic) wheels, mounted on a steel axle within a molded recess along the bottom rear of the can, may provide easy rolling, and a molded handle at the top rear of the can may permit hand-truck style pushing or pulling. 
     The trash cans with permanent lid design that makes this line of trash cans unique lies, as the name suggests, is the lid(s). The lid of the trash cans with permanent lid comprise a two-piece, interlocking unit, hinged on either side and interlocking with alternating, overlapping tabs, similar to the lids of plastic shipping crates. When interlocked, the lid panels provide a secure seal for the cans keeping out rain, sleet, and snow, and preventing the ingress of animal pests ranging from raccoons to roaches. The top of each of the two interlocking lids may be equipped with a permanently mounted magnet as well, and the sides of the can will be equipped with two steel tabs or plates, the position of these on the exterior sides of the can corresponding to the positions of the magnets when the lids are fully opened and swung down on either side. The magnets will thus serve, when the lids are fully opened, to secure the two halves of the lid to either side of the can keeping it fully opened and out of the way during the emptying process. Once the can is emptied, a simple lift of the lid on either side will release the magnet/steel bond, and permit the lid to be returned to the closed position. 
     For household consumers smaller commercial users, the trash cans with permanent lid may offer a terrific combination of strength, lightweight durability, and security in a rolling, one-piece unit that may last for many years. The unique, interlocking lid design offers a tight seal against precipitation and pest infestation, yet will open easily and stay open when the can is to be emptied. Novel in conception, conceived to meet a real need shared by millions, and built to last, the trash cans with permanent lid may be produced in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles to meet the range of consumer requirements, and may clearly outperform conventional, plastic trash receptacles. 
     Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , various views of trash can system  100  comprising trash can assembly  110  (shown in open and closed conditions); trash can assembly  110  including receptacle body  120  having inner volume  122 , outer surface  124  (shell), and at least one first-body-magnet  130 , and at least one second-body-magnet  134 , interlocking lid assembly  140  having first-lid  150  having first-lid-magnet  154 , second-lid  160  having second-lid-magnet  164 . As such, trash can system  100  comprises trash can assembly  110 . 
     Referring now to trash can assembly  110 ; trash can assembly  110  comprises in functional combination receptacle body  120 , and interlocking lid assembly  140 . The parameters of receptacle body  120  are defined by inner volume  122 , and outer surface  124 . The at least one first-body-magnet  130  is integral with outer surface  124  to couple to first-lid-magnet  154 , as needed. In a similar manner the at least one second-body-magnet  134  is integral with outer surface  124  to couple to second-lid-magnet  164 , as needed for instances such as dumping or the like such that lids  150  and  160  are not ‘in the way’. 
     Inner volume  122  is sized to storingly-fit at least one item of refuse therein; wherein inner volume  122  is able to be open and closed, as shown, via first-lid  150  and second-lid  160 ; wherein first-lid  150  and second-lid  160  are able to interlock in a closed-condition. First-lid  150  and second-lid  160  are able to swing apart from each other when opened to allow access to inner volume  122  of receptacle body  120 . Trash can assembly  110  is structured and arranged to provide securement from external manipulation, by animals and the like, when closed, such that the at least one item of refuse is prevented from undesirable removal. 
     Referring again now to first-lid  150  and second-lid  160 ; first-lid  150  preferably comprises a substantially planar profile, as does second-lid  160  comprise a substantially planar profile. First-lid  150  comprises a forked-shape  152 . Second-lid  160  comprises an E-shape  162 . First-lid  150  is connected to receptacle body  120  via first-hinge  156 ; first-lid  150  able to rotate between open and closed positions about a centerline axis of first-hinge  156 . Referring more specifically now to second-lid  160 ; second-lid  160  is connected to receptacle body  120  via second-hinge  166 ; second-lid  160  able to rotate between open and closed positions about a centerline axis of the second-hinge  166 . 
     Uniquely, first-lid-magnet  154  is structured and arranged to mate with the at least one first-body-magnet  130  to retain first-lid  150  in an open position when desired. Second-lid-magnet  164  is structured and arranged to mate with the at least one second-body-magnet  134  to retain second-lid  160  in an open position when desired. First-lid  150  and second-lid  160  are independently manipulatable in relation to receptacle body  120 . 
     Forked-shape  152  of first-lid  150  preferably comprises two first-fingers  158 , as shown; E-shape  162  preferably comprises three second-fingers  168 , as shown, in preferred embodiments of trash can system  100 . In such embodiments two first-fingers  158  are staggered between the three second-fingers  168  when rotated into a folding relationship with one another during closing; the two first-fingers  158  have lip  159  such that the three second-fingers  168  are able to rest upon when receptacle body  120  is closed via interlocking lid assembly  140 . 
     In preferred embodiments receptacle body  120  further comprises wheels  170 , as shown, such that trash can assembly  110  is readily movable between locations. Receptacle body  120  may further comprise handle  180 . In preferred embodiments receptacle body  120  comprises a 3D rectangular profile with an open top; wherein receptacle body  120  comprises flat walls and a bottom. Other shapes and profiles may be used. 
     A method of use may comprise use of the present invention as indicated between the  FIGS. 1-5  including opening, closing, and inter-locking. The magnets may be used to facilitate securement in open and closed conditions for preventing animals from ingressing to gain access to refuse (when lids are closed) and for unobstructed dumping of refuse (when lids are open). It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.