A system and method for preventing leaks from rubbish containing liquids and noxious smells has an air-tight and water-tight reusable trash receptacle. The receptacle uses an inner ring and an outer ring to secure a trash bag. A gasketed lid provides a seal when the lid is engaged with the outer ring. A fabric cover attaches to the outer ring and protects and hides the trash bag held within.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates in general to the field of portable trash cans, more specifically, to trash cans featuring a hermetic seal to prevent migration of odors and contents of the trash can.

2. Description of Related Art

Current trash cans are typically an open vessel designed to hold up a plastic bag. The bag acts as a liner and the can acts as a support for the liner. Some trash cans have lids that rest on the top of the can to mitigate migration of aroma from the can. Portable trash cans, such as those for vehicles, are typically soft sided and configured to retain a trash bag. Lids for current portable trash receptacles rest on the lip of the trash can without the ability to prevent leakage if the receptacle is inverted or falls over. A need exists for portable trash receptacles that can retain liquids, odors, and noxious refuse no matter the orientation of the receptacle. While there are many ways to store trash well known in the art, considerable room for improvement remains.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A lidded trash receptacle is air-tight, water-tight, and prevents liquid contents and noxious fumes from escaping the receptacle. The receptacle includes a lid, a fabric cover, an outer ring, and an inner ring. The lidded receptacle allows a user to dispose of a six pack of soda, an ice cream cone, vomit, and or a baby diaper without worrying about the receptacle leaking liquids or gases.

Referring now toFIG. 1A, a perspective view of a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle according to the present application is illustrated. Referring now also toFIG. 1ba cross section view, taken at line IB, of a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle according to the present application is illustrated. Trash receptacle101is comprised of a lid105, an outer ring109, and an inner ring111. A trash bag115is located between the outer ring109and the inner ring111. Not shown is a fabric cover that is secured to the outer ring that protects the contents of the trash bag and prevents the contents of the trash bag115from being visible outside the receptacle.

Inner ring111is coupled to outer ring109by threading. A user would place the trash bag inside the inner ring111pulling the top of the trash bag115over the top of the inner ring into the region between the inner ring and the outer ring. The user would then screw the outer ring relative to the inner ring to secure the trash bag in place. Inner ring has a compressible ring, such as a rubber seal, located between the inner ring and the outer ring. Rubber seal provides friction between the trash bag115and the rings.

Lid105is coupled to the outer ring109by a threaded interface. Lid105uses a rubber seal located inside the lid to further seal the contents of the trash bag115. A user can unscrew the lid from the outer ring and the trash bag is retained. Liquids and solids are contained inside the trash bag115and prevented from leaking by lid105.

Referring now toFIG. 2A, a perspective view of a lid for a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle according to the present application is illustrated. Referring now also toFIG. 2Ba cross section view, taken at line IIB, of a lid for a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle according to the present application is illustrated. Lid205is similar to that of lid105. Lid205uses a plurality of ridges209around the circumference of the lid to facilitate a user's grip on the lid. Additionally, lid205has a slot213or keyway for receiving a tab from the outer ring of the trash receptacle. Slot213uses notch215to lock the lid205in place by receiving a protrusion off the tab. Users of the lid205depress the lid and rotate to secure the tab of the outer ring into the slot213. To remove the lid205from the receptacle the process is revered. Lid205uses a seal217, preferably rubber, to keep the contents of the secured trash bag inside. Seal217is located inside the lid and engages the top of the outer ring.

Referring now toFIG. 3A, a perspective view of an outer ring for a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle according to the present application is illustrated. Referring now also toFIG. 3Ba cross section view, taken at line IIIB, of an outer ring for a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle according to the present application is illustrated. Outer ring305is similar to that of outer ring109. Outer ring305features tabs309for securing a lid. Tabs309use protrusions315to lock the lid205in place. In an alternative embodiment the outer ring305is threaded to couple to a lid. Additionally outer ring305includes a notch311configured for receiving an elastic strap of a fabric cover and thereby securing the fabric outer cover to the outer ring305.

On an internal surface of the outer ring305is threading313. Threading313is configured for coupling the outer ring305to an inner ring, such as inner ring111. Recess317is located interior to the outer ring305and is configured such that an opening is produced when an inner ring and the outer ring305is coupled together. Recess317provides room for the excess edges of the liner. Additionally, recess317provides room for liner retention system. Liner retention system includes at least one of an elastic strap or Velcro strap to hold the liner to the inner ring. A seal321, preferably rubber, is located on a top surface of the outer ring305to hold the liner in place, alternatively the outer ring305does not include a seal321.

Referring now toFIG. 4A, a perspective view of an inner ring for a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle according to the present application is illustrated. Referring now also toFIG. 4Ba cross section view, taken at line IVB, of an inner ring for a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle according to the present application is illustrated. Inner ring405is similar to that of inner ring111. An external surface of inner ring405is threaded411such that the inner ring can couple to the outer ring. Recess415provides room for the excess edges of the liner or trash bag. Inner ring preferably has an inner diameter of at least 90 mm to provide room for a diaper to be disposed. Additionally, recess415provides room for a liner retention system. Liner retention system includes at least one of an elastic strap or Velcro strap to hold the liner to the inner ring405.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a perspective view of a portable air-tight water-tight reusable trash receptacle with a tethered lid according to the present application is illustrated. Trash receptacle501is comprised of a tethered lid505, a tabbed outer ring509, and an inner ring. A trash bag or liner is located between the outer ring509and the inner ring511. Cover513, preferably fabricated from an opaque fabric, is secured to the outer ring509with an elastic strap and hides the contents of the trash bag within. Cover513has a Velcro seam along the top portion to allow the cover513to expand over the lower portion of the outer ring509. Tether517is attached between a tab519on the outer ring509and the lid505. Tether517is an integral extension of rubber seal217. Tether517uses an extended piece of rubber formed off of the rubber seal to secure the lid. Located on the end of the tether517nearest the lid is a first stop521. First stop521is disc shaped. Lid505is held between the first stop521and the rubber seal. A diameter of the first stop is larger than a diameter of a hole though the lid505to prevent the extended piece of the tether from falling through the hole in the lid. A second stop523and a third stop525are located on the far end of the extended piece of the tether517. Second stop and third stop are spherical in shape and are configured to hold the opening of tab519between the second and third stops. Tethering the lid to the rest of the receptacle prevents the lid from being lost. Losing the lid prevents the receptacle from being water-tight.