Abstract:
An improved refuse collection device having a compartment for refuse collection and having various holding components for storing items such as replacement toilet paper and hand towels, for holding rolls of trash bags, and for holding cleaning items, such as, for example, mops and brooms.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/397,591 filed on Jun. 14, 2010 is hereby claimed, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/397,591 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to maintenance and janitorial equipment, and more particularly, to a refuse holder which is designed to hold refuse as well as store and transport janitorial supplies. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Equipment for holding and transporting cleaning items is commercially available. One example of a bucket having storage receptacles is shown in my U.S. Design Pat. No. 350,632 which was issued on Sep. 13, 1994. Cleaning supplies, such as for example, spray bottles, towels, brushes and sponges, as well as other cleaning items suited to the type of maintenance/cleaning to be performed, may be required to be carried from room to room, such as, in office complexes, hotels, schools and other buildings. 
     One typical holder for janitorial supplies is a janitorial cart, which generally have open shelves for placement of items thereon, and wheels to facilitate moving the items. 
     Large trash cans often are used by janitorial staff to empty smaller waste baskets or refuse containers in offices, schools, homes, hospitals and other locations. 
     A need exists for an improved device which may be used to collect refuse, and at the same time, may hold and transport janitorial supplies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An improved refuse collection device is provided having a compartment for refuse collection and storage components for storing items. According to a preferred embodiment, the refuse collection device has storage components provided on its exterior. A handle preferably is provided to facilitate transporting the refuse device and janitorial supplies or collected refuse from one location to another. 
     The refuse collecting device further provides specially configured components and/or compartments for holding and storing items. For example, embodiments of the device may be configured to be particularly suitable for a variety of cleaning applications. Alternately, the refuse collecting device may be constructed for one or more particular applications, such as, for example, bathroom cleaning applications. 
     Preferably, the refuse collecting device is water resistant and is constructed to prevent escape of materials collected therein. A preferred construction of the refuse collection device includes a refuse collection compartment, and has a holder on an exterior of the device for holding a bucket, such as a bathroom cleaning bucket, that may be transported with the refuse collecting device. 
     The refuse collection device may be used in connection with a variety of cleaning applications, and the holding components may be configured to hold and store janitorial supplies, such as, for example, towels, rags, sponges, a supply of trash bags, towels and toilet paper rolls (for replacement in bathroom cleaning applications), as well as other bathroom cleaning items. The configuration of the device facilitates holding the items in a single place so they are readily accessible when needed. 
     The refuse collection device preferably is constructed so that the device and items held thereby may be easily moved from place to place. 
     Another feature is that according to preferred embodiments, the placement of the holding component features facilitate access and use of the items that may be held, such as a roll of towels, bucket, and other janitorial supplies. 
     According to preferred embodiments, the refuse collection device is configured to hold trash bags of different sizes. 
     These and other advantages are provided by my invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, looking down from the top left side, of a refuse collecting device according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial view in top plan showing the handle  60  and holding components  61  and  62  of the rear wall  13  of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this drawing, the bucket holder  50  and the holding component  56  have been omitted from the drawing to simplify the drawing. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the refuse collecting device of  FIG. 1 , illustrated with a broom and mop being held by holding components of the device. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial view taken in rear elevation showing a first holding component formed on the rear wall of the device shown in  FIG. 4  configured to hold a bucket, with a bucket being held by the first holding component, and showing a second holding component formed on the rear wall of the device shown in  FIG. 4  configured to hold a dust pan, with a dust pan being held by the second holding component. 
         FIG. 6  is a view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the inventive refuse collecting device. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the device of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , there is illustrated a refuse collection device  10  constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention. The refuse collection device  10  is shown constructed as a walled enclosure  11  formed by a front wall  12 , a rear wall  13 , a left side wall  14 , right side wall  15  and a floor or base  16 . The front wall  12 , the rear wall  13 , the left side wall  14 , the right side wall  15  and the floor or base  16  define a holding space  20  therein in which a trash bag  100  may be held. 
     Holding components, such as, for example, the plurality of hooks  22  may be provided for holding a trash bag  100  open in the space  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred configuration, the hooks  22  may have an L-shaped shape and are connected to the walled enclosure  11 , such as by being embedded into the top of the walls of the enclosure  11  preferably at the four corners formed where adjacent walls meet. Preferably, one or more additional sets of holding components are provided to accommodate retention of trash bags having different sizes. For example, according to the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more additional sets of hooks (not shown) may be provided at alternate locations (such as within the interior walls of the device) to hold trash bags that are smaller in size. Preferably, the hooks  22  may be used by placing the trash bag  100  over them, or alternately, puncturing the bag  100  so that the hooks  22  poke through the bag  100 . 
     Preferably, one or more holding rail components, such as the left and right holding rail components  30 , and the front holding rail component  31 , are provided to hold supplies, such as, for example, a roll of trash bags (not shown), or a roll of paper towels. The right side and left side holding rail components  30  are each shown having a rail or rod  32  supported on the respective side wall  14 ,  15  with a pair of brackets  33 . The brackets  33  are shown mounted to the side walls  14 ,  15 , and optionally may be formed with the side walls  14 ,  15 . The rod  32  may be an expandable rod, such as a spring rod constructed from two sections with a spring (not shown), or alternately, may be a single structure that is configured to be press fit into the brackets  33  and removed from the brackets  33  when a change of the roll of bags or other items, is required. Alternately, other suitable brackets, such as arms, gravity held configurations and the like may be used, but preferably, the rod and item carried thereon are securely held so that when the device  10  is moved, the bags or other items do not fall off of the device  10 . Preferably, the front side holding rail component  31  may be constructed similar to the left and right side holding rail components  30 , or the various alternative constructions described herein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment, the front holding rail component  31  includes a rail  35  and brackets  34 . Preferably, the length of the holding rail components  30  and  31  may be provided in different lengths to match a variety of length of rolls of trash bags or paper towel rolls. 
     Preferably, at least one holding compartment  40  may be provided to hold items, such as toilet paper rolls, towels or other supplies that may be used in connection with janitorial services, such as providing replacement rolls of toilet paper and replacement towels to dry hands and such as products used for cleaning and refuse collection and disposal. The holding compartment  40  has a space  41  therein accessible by an opening  42 . The compartment  40  preferably is molded in the right wall  15  of the device. The holding compartment  40  may be configured with a dimension and size suitable to accommodate toilet paper rolls, such as, for example, rolls having widths of 3½ inches or 4½ inches, and diameters which may be about 4½ inches for standard household toilet paper rolls, or about 9½ inches for larger generally commercial rolls. The opening  42  of the compartment  40  preferably projects about 5 inches from the side wall  15  for accommodating toilet paper rolls so that the rolls may be easily inserted through and withdrawn from the opening  42  of the compartment  40 . Preferably, the compartment  40  has a length of about 20 inches and a depth of about 7 inches to permit multiple rolls of toilet paper to be stored in and transported with the container  10  until needed. Preferably, side wall  14  is also provided with a compartment  40  formed therein (e.g., preferably molded therewith), preferably having the same dimensions of the compartment  40  formed on side wall  15 . 
     A compartment  45  is provided on the front wall  12  of the device  10  for facilitating holding items therein. Preferably the front holding compartment  45  is configured and dimensioned to hold paper towels, and more preferably the paper towels that are stacked and generally rectangular in shape. Since these paper towels generally often are supplied in bundles measuring about 6½ inches tall by 3½ inches wide by 10¼ inches in length, the front holding compartment  45  preferably may be configured with an opening that projects about 8 inches from the front wall  12 , a length of about 20 inches, and a depth of about 8 inches so that the towel bundles may be placed and stored side by side and transported by the device  10 , and removed when needed. The front holding compartment  45  may be constructed as described herein in connection with the side holding compartment  40 . For example, the holding compartments  45  may be molded with the wall  12 . 
     A bucket holder  50  is provided, and according to the preferred configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , is shown on the rear wall  13 . The bucket holder  50  according to a preferred configuration is provided as a generally u-shaped arm  51  that has two side portions  52 ,  53  and a connecting portion  54 . Preferably, the arm  51  is connected to (or molded with) the walled enclosure  11 , such as, for example, the rear wall  13 . The arm  51  is preferably configured to define a space or opening  55  through which the lower part of a bucket  300  may be placed for holding and transporting with the device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a holding component  56 , preferably configured as a dust pan holder, is provided on an exterior wall of the receptacle  10 . According to a preferred embodiment, the dust pan holder  56  is provided to be located above the bucket holder  50 , preferably on the rear wall  13  of the receptacle  10 . According to a preferred configuration, the dust pan holder  56  is configured having a pair of arms  57 ,  58  defining an opening  59 . The handle  302  of a dust pan may be held by the holder  56 . For example, the dust pan  301  may have a handle  302  which is situated on the holder  56  so that the handle  302  passes through the opening defined by the arms  57 ,  58 . 
     The refuse collecting device  10  preferably includes a handle  60  for facilitating transport of the device  10  and the supplies and equipment held by the device  10 . The handle  60  has a preferred configuration shown connected to the rear wall  13  so that a user may push the device  10  through hallways, rooms and other areas of a building. According to preferred embodiments, the handle  60  is provided near the top of the device  10  at a location convenient for a user to access. The handle  60  is shown connected to the rear wall  13 , and according to a preferred configuration, is integrally molded with or into one or more components of the device  10 , such as the rear wall  13 , or enclosure  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , according to a preferred embodiment, the handle  60  is integrally provided. Preferably, holding components, such as the holding components  61 ,  62 , having slots or apertures  63 ,  64 , respectively, for holding an item, such as a dust mop  200  and/or broom  400  ( FIG. 4 ), may be formed on the receptacle  10 , preferably integrally molded therewith. The holding components  61 ,  62  preferably may be integrally provided with the walled enclosure  11  or one or more of the walls, such as, the rear wall  13 , as illustrated. Preferably, the apertures,  63 ,  64 , are sized to accommodate the handle of a cleaning tool, such as, for example, a broom  400  or mop  200  that may be held with the holding components  61 ,  62 . 
     The refuse collecting device  10  is movable. Preferably, wheels  70  are provided to facilitate moving the device  10 . The wheels  70  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) may be pivotally mounted so that they are able to pivot as the device  10  is moved to align themselves in a direction that the device  10  is being transported. According to alternate embodiments, one or more of the wheels  70  may be pivotally mounted, and others may be fixed. For example, one preferred configuration, not shown, may include pivotally mounted front wheels and fixedly mounted rear wheels. Optionally, one or more of the wheels  70  may be provided with a locking mechanism that may be actuated to lock a wheel in place, and consequently, release the lock when desired. Preferably, the wheels  70  are constructed from a corrosion and water resistant material which is not prone to rusting or being corroded by chemicals. The wheel mounting mechanism also preferably is constructed from materials which are corrosion and/or rust resistant. 
     The refuse collection device  10  shown and described herein, preferably may be constructed of suitable dimensions to fit through doorways. In one preferred configuration, the width of each wall  12 ,  13 ,  14 , and  15  of the refuse collection device  10  is about 30 inches and the height of the refuse collection device  10  is about 40 inches, though alternative dimensions may be used. According to preferred embodiments, the refuse collection device  10  may be provided with rounded front side edges  83 ,  84  for facilitating movement of the device  10  and negotiation of obstacles that may be present when transporting the device  10 . 
     Preferably, the refuse collection device  10  is constructed from materials which are water resistant, and also are resistant to general cleaners, such as typical cleaners used to clean furniture, toilets, glass, bathroom hardware and other fixtures. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown a refuse collection device  80 , which is an alternative embodiment of the invention. The refuse collecting device  80  is identical to the refuse collecting device  10  device described herein, except the refuse collecting device  80  is not provided with a holding compartment  40  on either of its side walls  14  and  15 . 
     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the description is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein and as defined by the appended claims.