Trash can formed with sidewall engagements

A receptacle includes a base panel and a sidewall having first and second sets of opposed side panels. First and second retention assemblies are formed through the first and second sets of side panels, and the first retention assembly is vertically offset from the second retention assembly. The first and second retention assemblies each include a plurality of tiered engagements, which engagements have a hole and a rigid finger projecting downwardly into the hole. Bags are applied to the receptacle and retained by the engagements in a tiered, nested fashion. The receptacle is collapsible from an assembled condition to a disassembled condition or a storage condition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to trash cans, and more particularly to environmentally friendly trash cans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Americans produce a large amount of trash. Recent studies by the Environmental Protection Agency estimate that each person in America produces an average of 4.5 pounds of solid waste trash every single day, equating to over a billion collective pounds of trash in the country. This staggering amount of trash is an environmental issue, and efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle are vitally important to maintaining the quality of our environment.

While some of the trash produced is degradable or compostable, much of the trash is not readily biodegradable or photodegradable, and as such, can persist for thousands of years before it has degraded or decomposed. One particular scourge is the plastic bag. Plastic bags are extremely thin bags, frequently made from polyethylene, often distributed by stores to customers to carry purchases home. The bags are generally intended to be single-use; when the customer arrives home, he or she will remove the purchased items from the bag and then throw the bag away.

Most bags distributed at grocery stores are plastic bags, generally known as grocery bags, or also as t-shirt bags because of their similar appearance to an A-shirt or sleeveless undershirt. Grocers provide these bags to their shoppers to carry purchased groceries home. Grocers are generous with their bags: meats are placed in separate bags from other items, cold items are double bagged, sometimes a separate bag will be used as a handle to carry the other bags. These bags are useful for carrying and containing the groceries on the trip home. Once home, their usefulness generally ends. Most shoppers discard the bags. A small number of municipalities providing recycling for grocery bags, leaving shoppers with the choice of either discarding the bags or storing them for mass recycling with a private organization. Estimates range from between one to five percent of grocery bags are recycled.

When viewed against the relatively short useful life of these single-use plastic bags, there is a tremendous energy cost in manufacturing and shipping a bag, and there is a huge environmental impact. The United States uses approximately one hundred billion plastic bags each year and discards approximately three million tons of plastic bags. Plastic bags rank as the second most common form of trash after cigarette butts, and the United Nations has estimated that each square mile of the ocean contains about 46,000 pieces of floating plastic. Over one million marine birds and animals die each year from ingestion of plastic bags.

Solutions to the plastic bag problem are needed. Increasing the number of ways a person can reduce, reuse, and recycle a plastic bag would greatly contribute to the preservation of the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, a receptacle for holding plastic grocery bags is formed with retention assemblies for holding handles of the grocery bags. Plastic grocery bags can be reused in the receptacle after their initial use by retaining the handles in the retention assemblies and placing the bags in the receptacle to hold trash and waste.

The receptacle has a sidewall including first and second sets of opposed side panels, and the retention assemblies include first and second sets of engagements formed through the sidewall in the first and second sets of opposed side panels. Each engagement includes a hole and a finger projecting downward into the hole. Each finger is a rigid and integral extension of the sidewall. The sidewall is also formed with at least one port underneath the engagements, and when bags are applied to the receptacle, the lower-most bag defines a void between the lower-most bag and the bottom of the receptacle which is accessible by the port. Spare bags are placed and stored in the void for storage and later use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now is made to the drawings, in which the same reference characters are used throughout the different figures to designate the same elements.FIG. 1illustrates a receptacle10constructed and arranged according to the principle of the invention, having a sidewall11formed from two sets of opposed side panels. As a matter of clarity, a first set of opposed side panels is identified here as including a front side panel, or simply a front panel12, and an opposed rear side panel, or simply a rear panel13. A second set of opposed side panels is identified as including a right side panel, or simply a right panel14, and an opposed left side panel, or simply a left panel15. When the rear panel13and the left panel15are coupled to each other, the front, rear, right, and left panels12,13,14, and15cooperate to define the continuous sidewall11of the receptacle10which extends from a bottom20of the receptacle10to an opposed top21of the receptacle10. Each of the front, rear, right, and left panels12,13,14, and15also extend from the bottom20to the top21.

A base panel22is located proximate to the bottom20of the receptacle10, and is mounted for pivotal movement along a living hinge23to the bottom20of the front panel12. The base panel22, together with the sidewall11and the top21, bound and define an interior24of the receptacle10which is structured and arranged to hold trash within bags applied to the interior24.

The sets of opposed side panels are similar in construction, but will be described separately for clarity. The first set of opposed side panels, consisting of the front and rear panels12and13will be discussed first. Still referring toFIG. 1, the front and rear panels12and13are coextensive and nearly identical in shape. The front panel12includes a bottom30located at the bottom20of the receptacle10, a top31located at the top21of the receptacle10, and opposed side edges32and33. The front panel12has an outer face34and an opposed inner face35, which are close to each other, since the front panel12has a relatively thin thickness between the outer and inner faces34and35.

The base panel22is attached to the bottom30of the front panel12. Two spaced-apart slits40extend upward from the bottom30between the side edges32and33, and the living hinge23is formed just above the bottom30between the slits40. The living hinge23, spaced just above the bottom30, forms a void which separates and defines two feet41and42at the bottom of the front panel12. The feet41and42are rectangular projections extending downward from and contiguous to the front panel12. The foot41extends and wraps around to the right panel14, and the foot42extends and wraps around to the left panel15.

The front panel is formed with a retention assembly43, including two engagements44and45. The engagements44and45are formed near a center of the front panel12, at a location intermediate with respect to the side edges32and33and generally intermediate between the bottom30and top31. The engagements44and45are tiered, such that the engagements44and45are vertically aligned and the engagement44is directly below the engagement45. Further, the engagements44and45are each vertically aligned with the living hinge23.

The engagements44and45are identical in structure, and as such, only the engagement44will be described with the understanding that the description applies equally to the engagement45. The reference characters applied to the various structural elements and features of the engagement44are also used for the engagement45. The engagement44includes a hole50formed through the front panel12from the outer face34to the inner face35. The hole50is generally U-shaped, with a finger51projecting downward into the hole50from a top52of the hole50. The finger51is a projection of the front panel12into the hole50, integrally and rigidly formed with the sidewall11as a continuous extension thereof. As a rigid extension of the sidewall11, the finger51resists flexing away from the sidewall11, into and out of the inner and outer faces34and35. The finger51bifurcates the top52of the hole50, defining two opposed gaps53formed on either side of the finger51. The finger51extends into the hole50a distance approximately equal to one-third of a height H of the hole50, and each of the gaps53has a width G which is approximately the same as a width F of the finger51, as shown inFIG. 1. The top52of the engagement44is spaced below the top31of the front panel12by a distance A, and the top52of the engagement45is spaced below the top31by a distance B.

As stated above, the front and rear panels12and13are similar in construction and are coextensive and nearly identical in shape. As such, the reference characters used to describe the front panel12are also used to describe the rear panel13, but are designated with a prime (“′”) symbol to differentiate the various structural features and elements of the rear panel13from those of the front panel12. The rear panel13is partially shown inFIG. 1, and is fully shown in elevation inFIG. 2. The rear panel13includes a bottom30′ located at the bottom20of the receptacle10, a top31′ located at the top21of the receptacle10, and opposed side edges32′ and33′. The rear panel13has an outer face34′ and an opposed inner face35′, which are close to each other, since the rear panel13has a relatively thin thickness between the outer and inner faces34′ and35′.

Two feet41′ and42′ are formed at the bottom30′ of the rear panel13. The feet41′ and42′ are rectangular projections extending downward from and contiguous to the rear panel13. The foot41′ wraps around to the left panel15, and the foot42′ wraps around to the right panel14. A slot46is formed above the bottom30′, between the feet41′ and42′, spaced apart from the bottom30′, and extending parallel to the bottom30′. The slot46has a height slightly greater than the thickness of the sidewall11. The slot46receives a tab of the base panel22to lock the base panel22into the rear panel13. The rear panel13is formed with a retention assembly43′ which includes two engagements44′ and45′. This retention assembly43′ is complemental to the retention assembly43formed in the front panel12, forming two sets of engagements44and44′, and45and45′, which are each useful to secure and hang a two-handled bag in the receptacle10. The engagements44and44′ are parallel and directly across the receptacle from each other, and the engagements45and45′ are parallel and directly across the receptacle from each other. The engagements44′ and45′ are formed near a center of the rear panel13, at a location intermediate with respect to the side edges32′ and33′ and generally intermediate between the bottom30′ and top31′. The engagements44′ and45′ are tiered, such that the engagements44′ and45′ are vertically aligned and the engagement44′ is directly below the engagement45′. Further, the engagements44′ and45′ are each vertically aligned with the slot46.

The engagements44′ and45′ are identical in structure, and as such, only the engagement44′ will be described with the understanding that the description applies equally to the engagement45′. The reference characters applied to the various structural elements and features of the engagement44′ are also used for the engagement45′. The engagement44′ includes a hole50′ formed through the rear panel13from the outer face34′ to the inner face35′. The hole50′ is generally U-shaped, with a finger51′ projecting downward into the hole50′ from a top52′ of the hole50′. The finger51′ is a projection of the rear panel13into the hole50′, integrally and rigidly formed with the sidewall11as a continuous extension thereof. As a rigid extension of the sidewall11, the finger51′ resists flexing into and out of the inner and outer faces34′ and35′. The finger51′ bifurcates the top52′ of the hole50′, defining two opposed gaps53′ formed on either side of the finger51′. The finger51′ extends into the hole50′ a distance approximately equal to one-third of a height H′ of the hole50′, and each of the gaps53′ has a width G′ which is approximately the same as a width F′ of the finger51′, as shown inFIG. 2. The top52′ of the engagement44′ is spaced below the top31′ of the rear panel13by a distance A′, and the top52′ of the engagement45′ is spaced below the top31′ by a distance B′. The distance A′ is equal to the distance A, and the distance B′ is equal to the distance B. As such, the engagement44is parallel to the engagement44′, and the engagement45is parallel to the engagement45′.

The second set of opposed side panels, consisting of the right and left panels14and15, will now be discussed. Referring again toFIG. 1, the right and left panels14and15are coextensive and nearly identical in size and shape. The right panel14includes a bottom60located at the bottom20of the receptacle10, a top61located at the top21of the receptacle10, and opposed side edges62and63. The right panel14has an outer face64and an opposed inner face65, which are close to each other, since the right panel14has a relatively thin thickness between the outer and inner faces64and65.

Two feet71and72are formed at the bottom60of the right panel14. The feet71and72are rectangular projections extending downward from and contiguous to the right panel14. The foot71wraps around to the foot42′ on the rear panel13, and the foot72wraps around to the foot41on the front panel12. A slot76is formed above the bottom60, between the feet71and72, spaced apart from the bottom60, and extending parallel to the bottom60. The slot76has a height slightly greater than the thickness of the sidewall11. The slot76receives a tab of the base panel22to lock the base panel22into the right panel14.

The right panel14is formed with a retention assembly73which includes two engagements74and75. The engagements74and75are formed near a center of the right panel14, at a location intermediate with respect to the side edges62and63and generally intermediate between the bottom60and top61. The engagements74and75are tiered, such that the engagements74and75are vertically aligned and the engagement74is directly below the engagement75. Further, the engagements74and75are each vertically aligned with the slot76.

The engagements74and75are identical in structure, and as such, only the engagement74will be described with the understanding that the description applies equally to the engagement75. The reference characters applied to the various structural elements and features of the engagement74are also used for the engagement75. The engagement74includes a hole80formed through the right panel14from the outer face64to the inner face65. The hole80is generally U-shaped, with a finger81projecting downward into the hole80from a top82of the hole80. The finger81is a projection of the right panel14into the hole80, integrally and rigidly formed with the sidewall11as a continuous extension thereof. As a rigid extension of the sidewall11, the finger81resists flexing into and out of the inner and outer faces64and65. The finger81bifurcates the top82of the hole80, defining two opposed, identical gaps83formed on either side of the finger81. The finger81extends into the hole80a distance approximately equal to one-third of a height K of the hole80, and each of the gaps83has a width J which is approximately the same as a width I of the finger81, as shown inFIG. 1. The top82of the engagement84is spaced below the top61of the right panel14by a distance C, and the top82of the engagement85is spaced below the top61by a distance D. The distance C is less than the distance A, and the distance D is less than the distance B. In this way, the retention assembly73is vertically offset from the retention assembly43, and similarly, the engagements74and75of the retention assembly73are vertically offset from the engagements44and45of the retention assembly43.

A port84is formed through the right panel14from the outer face64to the inner face65. The port84is circular and is vertically aligned with the engagements74and75, intermediately between the side edges62and63. The port84has the same width as the engagements74and75and as the slot76. The port84is spaced generally intermediate with respect to the engagement74and the slot76. The port84provides access into the interior24of the receptacle10proximate to the bottom20.

As stated above, the right and left panels14and15are similar in construction and are coextensive and nearly identical in shape. As such, the reference characters used to describe the right panel14are also used to describe the left panel15, but are designated with a prime (“′”) symbol to differentiate the various structural features and elements of the left panel15from those of the right panel14. The left panel15is partially shown inFIG. 1, and is fully shown in elevation inFIG. 3.

The left panel15includes a bottom60′ located at the bottom20of the receptacle10, a top61′ located at the top21of the receptacle10, and opposed side edges62′ and63′. The left panel15has an outer face64′ and an opposed inner face65′, which are close to each other, since the left panel15has a relatively thin thickness between the outer and inner faces64′ and65′.

Two feet71′ and72′ are formed at the bottom60′ of the left panel15. The feet71′ and72′ are rectangular projections extending downward from and contiguous to the left panel15. The foot71′ wraps around to the foot42on the front panel12, and the foot72′ wraps around to the foot41′ on the rear panel13. A slot76′ is formed above the bottom60′, between the feet71′ and72′, spaced apart from the bottom60′, and extending parallel to the bottom60′. The slot76′ has a height slightly greater than the thickness of the sidewall11. The slot76′ receives a tab of the base panel22to lock the base panel22into the left panel15.

The left panel15is formed with a retention assembly73′ which includes two engagements74′ and75′. This retention assembly73′ is complemental to the retention assembly73formed in the right panel14, forming two sets of engagements74and74′, and75and75′, which are each useful to secure and hang a two-handled bag in the receptacle10. The engagements74′ and75′ are formed near a center of the left panel15, at a location intermediate with respect to the side edges62′ and63′ and generally intermediate between the bottom60′ and top61′. The engagements74′ and75′ are tiered, such that the engagements74′ and75′ are vertically aligned and the engagement74′ is directly below the engagement75′. Further, the engagements74′ and 75′ are each vertically aligned with the slot76′.

The engagements74′ and75′ are identical in structure, and as such, only the engagement74′ will be described with the understanding that the description applies equally to the engagement75′. The reference characters applied to the various structural elements and features of the engagement74′ are also used for the engagement75′. The engagement74′ includes a hole80′ formed through the left panel15from the outer face64′ to the inner face65′. The hole80′ is generally U-shaped, with a finger81′ projecting downward into the hole80′ from a top82′ of the hole80′. The finger81′ is a projection of the left panel15into the hole80′, integrally and rigidly formed with the sidewall11as a continuous extension thereof. As a rigid extension of the sidewall11, the finger81′ resists flexing away from the sidewall11, into and out of the inner and outer faces64′ and65′. The finger81′ bifurcates the top82′ of the hole80′, defining two opposed, identical gaps83′ formed on either side of the finger81′. The finger81′ extends into the hole80′ a distance approximately equal to one-third of a height K′ of the hole80′, and each of the gaps83′ has a width J′ which is approximately the same as a width I′ of the finger81′, as shown inFIG. 3. The top82′ of the engagement74′ is spaced below the top61′ of the left panel15by a distance C′, and the top82′ of the engagement85′ is spaced below the top61′ by a distance D′. The distance C′ is equal to the distance C, which are each less than the distance A, and the distance D′ is equal to the distance D, which are each less than the distance B. In this way, the retention assembly73′ is vertically offset from the retention assembly43′, and the engagements74and75, and the engagements74′ and75′, of the retention assemblies73and73′, respectively, are vertically offset from the engagements44and45, and the engagements44′ and45′, of the retention assemblies43and43′, respectively.

A port84is formed through the left panel15from the outer face64′ to the inner face65′. The port84′ is circular and is vertically aligned with the engagements74′ and75′, intermediately between the side edges62′ and63′. The port84′ has the same width as the engagements74′ and75′ and as the slot76′. The port84′ has a width W which is equal to a width X of the engagements74′ and75′, and equal to a width Y of the slot76′. The port84′ is spaced generally intermediate with respect to the engagement74′ and the slot76′. The port84′ provides access into the interior24of the receptacle10proximate to the bottom20.

Turning now toFIG. 5, the receptacle10is constructed from a single sheet of material.FIG. 5shows the receptacle10in a disassembled condition of the receptacle10, whileFIGS. 1-4show the receptacle10in an assembled condition, andFIG. 6shows the receptacle10in a storage condition. The disassembled condition is a collapsed condition of the receptacle10useful for storing the receptacle10for periods of non-use or for shipping so as not to occupy a large volume of space. In the disassembled condition, the front, rear, right, left, and base panels12,13,14,15, and22are laid flat. The base panel22is coupled to the front panel22along the living hinge23and extends away from the front panel22. The right panel14is formed integrally to the front panel12along a living hinge defining a corner formed between the side edges63and32of the right and front panels14and12, respectively. The side edge62of the right panel14is free of connection to another panel in the disassembled condition. The left panel15is formed integrally to the front panel12along a living hinge defining a corner formed between the side edges62′ and33of the left and front panels15and12, respectively. The rear panel13is formed integrally to the left panel15along a living hinge defining a corner formed between the side edges32′ and63′ of the rear and left panels13and15, respectively. The side edge33′ of the rear panel13is free of connection to another panel in the disassembled condition.

The free edges62and33′ of the right and rear panels14and13, respectively, carry an engagement assembly90to couple the right and rear panels14and13when the receptacle10is in the assembled condition. The engagement assembly90consists of, on the rear panel13, a flap91carried on the side edge33′ and having two spaced-apart slots92formed along the side edge33′, and, on the right panel14, two tabs93projecting outward away from the side edge62. The tabs93have enlarged heads and notches94that extend slightly into the right panel14opposite from the direction in which the tabs93extend. The tabs93are disposed vertically on the side edge62to correspond to the slots92formed between the flap91and the rear panel13. In the disassembled condition of the receptacle10, the tabs93are free of the flap91and the slots92formed therein, as shown inFIG. 5. In the assembled condition of the receptacle10, as shown inFIG. 1, the tabs93are inserted into the slots92, the tabs93are applied against the inner face35′ of the rear panel13, and the flap91is applied against the inner face64′ of the left panel15. The flap91fits over the notches94to provide a secure engagement between the tabs93and the slots92with little vertical play. Generally, this engagement assembly90couples the left panel15to the rear panel13to form the sidewall11of the receptacle10and provide vertical rigidity to the receptacle10. In some instances, such as when the receptacle will not be returned to the disassembled condition, and adhesive is applied between the tabs93and the inner face35′ of the rear panel13, and between the flap91and the inner face64′ of the left panel15to permanently bond the tabs93to the inner face35′ and the flap91to the inner face64′, thereby permanently coupling the rear panel13to the left panel15.

Returning toFIG. 5, the base panel22has three projecting tabs95,96, and97. These tabs95,96, and97fits into the slots76,46, and76′ in the right, rear, and left panels14,13, and15, respectively, when the receptacle10is arranged in the assembled condition. The tabs95,96, and97engage with the slots76,46, and76′ to secure the base panel22with respect to the right, rear, and left panels14,13, and15, and to provide rigidity to the receptacle10. With the tabs95,96, and97engaged with the slots76,46, and76′, the panels12,13,14, and15are prevented from moving or shifting with respect to each other, as the slots76,46, and76′ limit relative lateral movement of the base panel22in the sidewall11.

FIG. 6shows the receptacle10in the storage condition thereof. The receptacle10is arrangeable and moveable among the disassembled, assembled, and storage conditions depending on the needs of the user. The storage condition of the receptacle10is useful for storing the receptacle10for long periods of time in a slender storage space, as may be necessary in a car or RV camper. In the storage condition, the receptacle10is laid flat, with the front panel12against the left panel15and the right panel14against the rear panel13. More specifically, the inner faces35and65′ of the front and left panels12and15are in juxtaposition with each other, and the inner faces65and35′ are in juxtaposition with each other. The base panel22is pivoted against the outer face34of the front panel12, and the base panel22extends upwardly toward the top21of the receptacle10. The base panel22is slightly narrower than the front panel12, such that the tabs95and97are just within the side edges32and33. Folded in this way, the base panel22extends over the front panel, with the tab96overlying and partially concealing the engagement45, and overlying and concealing the engagement44, protecting the structural features and elements of the engagements44and45. In the storage condition of the receptacle10, the engagements75and45′ are overlaid and the fingers81and51′ are overlaid, providing additional support and rigidity to the fingers81and51′, thus protecting the fingers81and51′ from deflection and damage. Similarly, although not shown, the engagements75′ and45are overlaid and the fingers81′ and51are overlaid, providing additional support and rigidity to the fingers81′ and51, thus protecting the fingers81′ and51from deflection and damage.

Turning now toFIG. 4, the receptacle10is useful in the assembled condition thereof for holding bags to contain items such as trash.FIG. 4illustrates a section view of the receptacle10with two bags applied, designated here as a lower bag100and an upper bag101. The receptacle10is structured to be suitable for use with many more bags, but two bags100and101are shown here for clarity of the illustration. The bags100and101are nested with each other, with the upper bag101nesting the lower bag100.

The bags are standard grocery bags each having bodies100A and101A and two handles100B and100C, and101B and101C. To arrange the bags100and101in the condition shown inFIG. 4, the lower bag100is applied to the interior24first. The body100A of the lower bag100is placed over the top21(which forms a square opening into the interior24) and into the interior24of the receptacle10, and the handles100B and100C are applied to the engagements75and75′, respectively, to secure the lower bag100on the receptacle10so that the lower bag100depends from the top21and is suspended at an elevated position above the base panel22, defining a void102between the bottom of the lower bag100and the base panel22. The handles100B and100C are applied in the same manner, and so only the application of the handle100B will be described. The handle100B is taken, as by hand and passed into the hole80of the engagement75. It is noted that the handle100B is applied to the hole80in the engagement75, which is the engagement above the engagement74which receives the handle101B of the upper bag101. Accordingly, the lower bags are applied to higher engagements, and higher bags are applied to lower engagements. The handle100B is passed into the hole80and around the finger81. The handle100B encircles the finger81, with the handle100B applied against the inner face65of the finger81proximate to the top82, and the handle100B extending out of the engagement75through the gaps83on either side of the finger81. The finger81, as an integral and rigid extension of the sidewall11, resists flexing in response to outward and upward forces applied by the lower bag100as items are loaded into the body100A or the lower bag100, providing a secure anchor for the handle100B. The handle100B extends upward along the outer face64of the right panel14to the top21, where the body100A of the bag is stretched around the receptacle10and from which the body100A is suspended into the interior24. In the same way, the other handle100C is applied to the engagement75′. With the lower bag100in place, the upper bag101is then applied. The handles101B and101C are applied to the engagements74and74′ of the receptacle10, and the body101A of the upper bag101is placed over the lower bag100which is stretched over and around the top21, and the body101A then hangs within the interior24.

The void102defined below the lower bag100is accessible through the ports84and84′, which are disposed laterally proximate to the void102and provide direct access thereto. The void102is a compartment for holding spare bags.FIG. 4illustrates one such spare bag103disposed on the base panel22. Many spare bags can be stored in the void102. A spare bag is placed in the void102by stuffing the spare bag through either of the ports84and84′, as by taking up a spare bag by hand and pushing it through either of the ports84and84′. The spare bags can later be retrieved by placing a hand through either of the ports84and84′, grasping a spare bag, and pulling the spare bag through the port84or84′. As trash or other items are placed into the upper bag101and become heavy in the upper bag101, the lower bag100will continue to maintain separation from the base panel and will continue to define the void102as a sizable chamber for storing spare bags. In this way, the receptacle10is useful for both containing waste and storing many spare plastic bags which might otherwise contribute to clutter, litter, or landfill waste.

Still referring toFIG. 4, the receptacle rests on the ground (not pictured) with the various feet (feet41′ and42′ shown here inFIG. 4) against the ground. The base panel22is spaced apart from the ground, and as such moisture from the ground is not transmitted to the base panel22and is not transmitted into the void where the moisture may damage or weaken the spare bag103. Likewise, moisture in the spare bag103is carried off by circulation of air through the ports84and84′, and if moisture seeps into the base panel22from the spare bag103, such moisture will be carried off by air circulation under the base panel22between the feet41′ and42′ of the receptacle10.

The tiered arrangement of the engagements74and75, and of the engagements74′ and75′, allows many bags to be nested in the interior24between the right and left panels14and15. The bags are nested in two levels; a lower level of bags applied to the engagement75(hanging generally as shown by lower bag100), and an upper level of bags applied to the engagement74(hanging generally as shown by upper bag101). In the same way, although not shown inFIG. 4, the tiered arrangement of the engagements44and45, and of the engagements44′ and45′, allows many bags to be nested in the interior between the front and real panels12and13. These bags are also nested in two levels.

Because the engagements44and45, and44′ and45′, of the first set of opposed side panels (front and rear panels12and13) are vertically offset from the engagements74and75, and74′ and75′, of the second set of opposed side panels (right and left panels14and15), the two levels of bags hanging from the engagements75and75′ and from74and74′ are offset from the two levels of bags hanging from the engagements45and45′ and from44and44′. In this way, four levels of tiered bags depend from the receptacle10. As trash fills the upper-most bag, the upper-most bag is removed and disposed of, and the next highest bag becomes the bag into which trash is placed and contained.

The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.