Abstract:
A cartridge container system comprising: a cartridge with an open end; a cap configured to fit over the open end of the cartridge; an opening located in the cap; and wherein the system is configured such that when the cap is fitted onto the open end of the cartridge, a user can deposit items via the opening located in the cap into the cartridge. A cartridge container comprising: a tube; a cap attached to the tube via a hinge; and wherein the cartridge container is configured to enclose a cartridge selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper tube, a yogurt container, flexible grocery bag and a paper towel tube. A cartridge container comprising: a generally rectangular container; a generally rectangular cap attached to the generally rectangular container via a hinge; and wherein the cartridge container is configured to enclose a cereal box.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to containers, and more specifically relates to refuse receptacles.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     It is well known to most homemakers, that, while preparing foods in a kitchen small particles of refuse are frequently needed to be discarded, such as the twisty from the bunch of parsley, the plastic collar from a milk jug cap or the foil wrapper on a wine bottle Often this refuse item is too small to warrant the need of reaching down to the under-counter refuse receptacle each time, and therefore, it temporarily accumulates in the sink corner, or on the countertop where it clutters the workspace. This can be messy and space consuming, so that this situation is, accordingly, in need of an improvement.  
         [0003]     Additionally, refuse often accumulates in an automobile. Thus a small refuse container would be useful in an automobile in order to dispose of small trash like gum wrappers, parking receipts, or bottle-caps. Similarly, refuse accumulates on a boat, also making a boat a desirable location for a small refuse container.  
         [0004]     Additionally, the need to recycle objects is of major concern to many individuals. Reusing what is typically thrown away is an important way to preserve our environment. Thus there is a need for a container that is able to reuse what has been typically thrown away.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The disclosed apparatus relates to a cartridge container system comprising: a cartridge with an open end; a cap configured to fit over the open end of the cartridge; an opening located in the cap; and wherein the system is configured such that when the cap is fitted onto the open end of the cartridge, a user can deposit items via the opening located in the cap into the cartridge.  
         [0006]     The disclosed apparatus also relates to a cartridge container comprising: a tube; a cap attached to the tube via a hinge; and wherein the cartridge container is configured to enclose a cartridge selected from the group consisting of a toilet paper tube, a yogurt container, flexible grocery bag, and a paper towel tube.  
         [0007]     The disclosed apparatus, in addition, relates to a cartridge container comprising: a generally rectangular container; a generally rectangular cap attached to the generally rectangular container via a hinge; and wherein the cartridge container is configured to enclose a cereal box. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed cartridge container;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the disclosed cartridge container from  FIG. 1  with a cartridge;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a cartridge with a tube cap;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a cartridge with a pinched end;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cartridge container;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a cartridge container;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the cartridge container of  FIG. 6 :  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge container with a spring loaded door;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed cartridge container;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the disclosed cartridge container from  FIG. 8  with a cartridge;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the disclosed cartridge container;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the cartridge container of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a cartridge container with a larger slot;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a cartridge container configured for flexible bags;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15 , is perspective view of a tube from the cartridge container of  FIG. 14 , with a bag installed in the tube.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the disclosed cartridge container  10 . The cartridge container  10  comprises a cylindrical tube  14  attached to a cylindrical cap  18 . the cylindrical tube  14  has an opening  22 . The bottom  26  of the cylindrical tube  14  may be closed, that is the bottom  26  is not opened. However, in other embodiments of the disclosed cartridge container, the bottom  26  may be opened. The cap  18  may be coupled to the tube  14  via a hinge  38 . In another embodiment, the cap  18  may simply snap on and off of the tube  14 . In still another embodiment, the cap  18  and the tube  14  may both be threaded, such that the cap  18  is configured to screw onto the cylindrical tube  14 . The cap  18  has a top  30  that may contain a slot  34 . The slot  34  may be rectangular as shown, oval, or any other shape. Additionally, the top may comprise a flexible material, such as rubber, fabric, cloth, nylon, or any other suitable material. The flexible material may be configured so that the slot  34  is relatively flexible. Thus, the slot  34  can be configured to be a relatively thin slot, which can be flexibly widened when one places an object, such as trash, into the slot, whereupon the slot  34  goes back to its original relatively thin orientation, thereby keeping objects from exiting the cartridge container  10  through the slot  34 . The cap and cylindrical tube may be made out of plastic, wood, metal, nylon, PVC, or any other suitable material able to contain a cartridge.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows the disclosed cartridge container  10  ready to receive a cartridge  42 . In a preferred embodiment the cartridge  42  may be a cardboard tube used to hold toilet paper and/or paper towels. In another embodiment, the cartridge  42  may be an empty yogurt container. If cardboard toilet paper tubes are used, then the container  10  will be sized to fit common cardboard toilet paper tube sizes. Similarly, if cardboard paper towel tubes are used, then the then the container  10  will be sized to fit common cardboard paper towel tube sizes. The container  10  is configured such that it will be able to allow a cartridge to slide into the cylindrical tube  14  and have the cap  18  closed. Thus, when the cartridge is located within the container  10 , a user may place trash and garbage into the container via the slot  34  or the opening  22 . Once the cartridge is filled with trash or garbage, the user can open the cap  18 , and remove the cartridge  42 , and then dispose of the cartridge. This method allows a user to re-use his or her cardboard tubes left over from using up his or her toilet paper or paper towels, allowing the user to contribute to preserving the environment. The cylindrical tube  14  may have closed bottom  15 , or an open bottom  15 .  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in an alternative embodiment, a reusable tube cap  46  may be attached to the bottom of the cartridge  42  to hold the trash in the cartridge, when the cartridge is removed from the container  10 . In another embodiment, the tube cap  46  may be disposable. Referring to  FIG. 4 , in still another embodiment, the bottom of the cartridge  42  may be pinched shut and then the pinched end  50  may be twisted, stapled, taped, or otherwise semi-permanently or permanently shut.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the disclosed cartridge container  10 . In this embodiment, the bottom  15  of the cylindrical tube  14  is opened. A cartridge  42  is shown within the cylindrical tube  14  and partly in the cap  16 . A bottom cap  16  is configured to slide over the cylindrical tube  14 , and provide a friction fit to the tube  14 . The bottom cap has a floor  17 . Attached to the floor  17  is a plug  19 . The plug is configured to fit into the cartridge  42 , and keep objects from exiting out of the bottom of the cartridge  42 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of a disclosed cartridge container  54 . In this embodiment, the container  54  comprises a top cap  58 , and a bottom cap  62 . The caps  58 , 62  are coupled to each other via at least one elastic member  66 . The elastic member may be a rubber strap, nylon strap, or any strap-like or ribbon-like material that will provide a compressive force between the top cap  58  and bottom cap  62  when placed on a cartridge  42  (see  FIG. 7 ). The top cap  58  may have a slot  70 , for trash or other material to be deposited into the cartridge.  FIG. 6  shows the cartridge container  54  with the cartridge  42  having been placed into it. The caps  58 , 62  are configured to fit about the ends of the cartridge  42 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of a disclosed cartridge container  74 . In this embodiment, the container  74  comprises a top cap  58 , and a bottom cap  62 . The caps  58 , 62  are coupled to each other via at least one elastic member  66 . However, instead of a slot located in the top cap  58 , a spring loaded door  78  is located in the top cap. The spring loaded door  78  has a spring  82  which keeps the door closed until a user pushes a piece of debris through the door into the container  74  and cartridge  42 , whereupon the spring loaded door  78  is configured to open, to allow the debris or other objects to enter the container, and then close when the user removes any force acting against the door  78 . The top cap  58  and bottom cap  62  may be made out of plastic, wood, metal, nylon, PVC, or any other suitable material able to contain a cartridge.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of a disclosed cartridge container  86 . The container  86  comprises a bottom receptacle  90  that is generally rectangular and a top cap  94  that is generally rectangular. The top cap  94  may be attached to the bottom receptacle  90  via a hinge  98 . The top cap  94  may have a slotted opening  102 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  shows a side view of the container  86 . A cartridge  106  is shown just about to be placed into the container  86 . In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge  106  for this container  86  may be an empty cereal box. The container  86  is configured to allow a cereal box to fit within it. Once the cartridge  106  is in the container  86 , the top cap  94  is closed, and a user may use the container  86  to dispose of refuse. Once the cartridge  106  is filled, the user simply opens the cap  94  and removes the cartridge, and either empties the cartridge  106  in order to reuse the cartridge, or the user may simply discard the cartridge  106  and its contents at the same time, and simply use a different empty cereal box as a new cartridge  106 . The container  86  and cap  94  may be made out of plastic, wood, metal, nylon, PVC, or any other suitable material able to contain a cartridge.  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of a disclosed cartridge container  110 . In this embodiment, the container  110  comprises a top cap  114 , and a bottom cap  118 . The caps  114 ,  118  are coupled to each other via at least one elastic member  122 . The elastic member  122  may be a rubber strap, nylon strap, or any strap-like or ribbon-like material that will provide a compressive force between the top cap  114  and bottom cap  118  when placed on a cartridge  106  (see  FIG. 11 ). The top cap  114  will have a slot  126 , for trash or other material to be deposited into the cartridge.  FIG. 12  shows the cartridge container  110  with a cartridge  106  placed in it. The caps  114 ,  118  are configured to fit about the ends of the cartridge  106 . The top cap  114  and bottom cap  118  may be made out of plastic, wood, metal, nylon, PVC, or any other suitable material able to contain a cartridge.  
         [0033]      FIG. 13  shows another embodiment of a disclosed cartridge container  130 . In this embodiment, a larger slot  134  is located in the top cap  114 . In fact any size slot may be used for slot  134 , or a spring loaded door may be used, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 8 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 14  shows the disclosed cartridge container  140  configured for use with flexible bags, such as grocery store plastic shopping bags. The cartridge container  140  comprises a tube  144 . A cap  148  is configured to slide over the tube  144 . The tube  144  and cap  148  may be generally cylindrical, or rectangular shaped. The cap  148  has a top  152  that may contain a slot  156 . The slot  34  may be generally rectangular, oval, or any other shape. Additionally, the top may comprise a flexible material, such as rubber, fabric, cloth, nylon, or any other suitable material. The flexible material may be configured so that the slot  156  is relatively flexible. Thus, the slot  156  can be configured to be a relatively thin slot, which can be flexibly widened when one places an object, such as trash, into the slot, whereupon the slot  156  goes back to its original relatively thin orientation, thereby keeping objects from exiting the cartridge container  140  through the slot  156 . The cartridge container may contain storage space and a slot  160  for storage of extra flexible bags.  
         [0035]      FIG. 15  shows just the tube  144  with a flexible bag  164  placed into the tube  144 , with a large portion of the bag  164  hanging down into the tube  144 , with a portion of the bag  164 , such as, but not necessarily, the handles  168  of the bag  164  hanging off the side of the tube  144 . Thus, the cap  148  is configured to slide over the tube and bag  164 , and hold the bag in place as the cap  148  presses against the top of the tube  144 . The cap  148  and tube  140  may be made out of plastic, wood, metal, nylon, PVC, or any other suitable material able to contain a cartridge.  
         [0036]     The cartridge containers disclosed herein may be configured so that they can attach to various surfaces in order to place it in a convenient location. For example, Velcro may be placed on the cartridge container and a desirable surface, or a magnet may be attached to the cartridge to allow the container to attach to a refrigerator, stove, or other metallic objects. A clip may be attached to the cartridge container to allow it to clip to various objects, including, but not limited to the inside of a car, a pocket, or the inside of a boat, or a wall.  
         [0037]     The cartridge container has been described mainly for use with refuse and trash. However, the cartridge container may be used for storing small objects or coins. Additionally, the device may be made to appeal to children by the addition of a plastic or rubber molded head in the shape of licensed characters such as, but not limited to Sesame Street&#39;s Oscar the Grouch or Disney&#39;s Tigger. The bottom of the cartridge container may be made to look like feet. Children may collect many different characters as a collection.  
         [0038]     The disclosed cartridge container allows people to reuse what is normally thrown out, items such as cardboard toilet paper tubes, cardboard paper towel tubes, yogurt containers, cracker boxes, cereal boxes, and any suitable container that is thrown out. This allows users to make a contribution toward being environmentally conscious. The disclosed cartridge container also provides for a small and convenient trash receptacle or storage unit.  
         [0039]     It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.  
         [0040]     While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.