Abstract:
A waste sorting table has a frame which includes receiving tubes for receiving waste therein and for sorting waste into distinct groupings within the frame. The table also includes a table top mounted onto the frame including waste receptacles defined in the table top for receiving waste there through and plastic garbage bags dimensioned to line the interior of the receiving tubes for holding the waste together and facilitating removal from the frame. The table also includes legs attached to the frame for supporting the frame.

Description:
This application claims benefit to 60/348,365 Jan. 16, 2002. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to garbage disposal assemblies and more particularly pertains to a table mounted trash sorting system having multiple uses including but not limiting to restaurants, lounges and/or cafeterias. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of trash disposal assemblies are known in the prior art generally speaking are comprised of containers having lids and/or other structural features for use separate and apart from a dining table. In many fast food outlets, currently large amounts of trash and garbage are generated because of the disposable plates, napkins, cutlery, packaging materials and other paper and plastic products that are used for packaging and presenting food stuff. Typically in these restaurants, garbage containers are located in multiple locations through out the restaurant for the disposal of garbage, either by staff working at the facility and/or by the customers themselves. The problem encountered with this type of trash removal is that presently recycling programs are in effect in many parts of the country and normally glass, metal containers, plastic products and paper products are separated into separate categories in order to facilitate recycling of these materials. Currently in fast food outlets, recycling is not encouraged because of the method of trash disposal. 
     The present invention is a table incorporating multiple trash disposal containers which are engineered directly in the table for immediate use by the customers when the trash is generated. 
     A number of prior art devices have been patented, however none address the issue of recycling and the sorting of materials into various categories. 
     Some of the prior art patents are for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,047 by Macnamar issued Nov. 28, 2000, another example would be U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,359 by Polires issued Aug. 6, 1996. Other examples are U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,714 by Struck issued Mar. 20, 1984 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,364,882 by Merrick issued Jan. 23, 1968. 
     None of these tables run themselves for a practical use within high volume fast food type restaurants where a large amount of trash of various types are generated. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a table which can quickly and efficiently remove trash from a table and at the same time sort it into various categories for facilitating of recycling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention a waste sorting table comprises: 
     a) a frame including a means for storing and sorting waste into distinct groupings within said frame; 
     b) a table top mounted onto said frame including waste receptacles defined in said table top for receiving waste there through; 
     c) waste enclosing means for holding said waste together and facilitating removal from said frame; and 
     d) legs attached to said frame for supporting said frame. 
     Preferably wherein said storing means including receiving tubes for receiving waste therein. 
     Preferably wherein said frame including hollow support columns the interior of the support columns defining said receiving tubes, said columns for supporting said table top and receiving waste therein. 
     Preferably wherein said support columns include access doors for removal of said waste from said receiving tubes. 
     Preferably wherein said enclosing means includes plastic garbage bags dimensioned to line the interior of said receiving tubes. 
     In an alternate embodiment the present invention a collapsible waste sorting table comprises: 
     a) a frame including a means for storing and sorting waste into distinct groupings within said frame; 
     b) a table top detachably mounted onto said frame including waste receptacles defined in said table top for receiving waste there through; 
     c) waste enclosing means for holding said waste together and facilitating removal from said frame. 
     d) legs detachably mounted to said frame for supporting said frame. 
     In an alternate embodiment the present invention a moveable waste sorting table comprises: 
     a) a frame including a means for storing and sorting waste into distinct groupings within said frame; 
     b) a top mounted onto said frame including waste receptacles defined in said table top for receiving waste there through; 
     c) waste enclosing means for holding said waste together and facilitating removal from said frame. 
     d) wheels mounted to said frame for rollably supporting said frame. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the present invention a waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the present invention a waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the present invention a waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 4 is a top front perspective view of a cover used with the waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 5 is a front top perspective view of the waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 6 is a partially exploded schematic perspective front view of the present invention, a waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the present invention a waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 — 8  in FIG. 7 of the waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan of an alternate embodiment of the present invention a was sorting table. 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the present invention a waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention a waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 14 is a top front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the waste sorting buggy. 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the waste sorting buggy. 
     FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the waste sorting buggy. 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the waste sorting buggy. 
     FIG. 19 is a front perspective schematic view of the waste sorting buggy. 
     FIG. 20 is a front perspective exploded schematic view of the waste sorting buggy. 
     FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the collapsible waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the collapsible waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the collapsible waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 24 shows the cover of the collapsible waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 25 shows the cover of the collapsible waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 26 shows the table top of the collapsible waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 27 shows the table top in the inverted position of the collapsible waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 28 is a bottom perspective schematic view showing the bottom of the table top of the collapsible waste sorting table, including the legs being clipped into position onto mounting clips. 
     FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective schematic view of the collapsible waste sorting table. 
     FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the waste sorting table in the collapsed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention a waste sorting table shown generally as  100  is best viewed in FIGS. 5,  6  and  8  includes the following major components, namely frame  102 , having a table top  104  mounted thereon which also includes a cover  106  for covering up waste receptacle area  108 . 
     Frame  102  includes the following major components, frame top  110 , support columns  112  and legs  114 . 
     Support columns  112  which are hollow define receiving tubes  116  which include access doors  118  having hinges  120  for moving access doors  118  between door closed position  122  and door open position  124 . 
     The top of support columns  112  are adapted to receive therein a DIAPER GENIE® and are recessed into receiving tubes  116  as shown as best viewed in cross-section FIG.  8  and include receptacle covers  130  and in addition the entire waste receptacle area  108  can be covered using cover  106  to cover all of the receiving tubes and waste receptacle area  108  of table top  104 . 
     The DIAPER GENIE®  111  manufactured by PLAYTEX™ includes a number of components including twist ring  140 , clips  142  and a garbage bag reservoir  144  which function together to produce garbage bundles  150  which are sausage like packages or packets of garbage which are stored in the lower portions of receiving tubes  116  until they are emptied via access doors  118 . The DIAPER GENIE®  111  in itself is a patented product marketed by PLAYTEX™ and is utilized to produce the waste sorting table  100  concept that we are describing in this specification. The details of the operation of the DIAPER GENIE®  111  can be found in the instruction manual which is included in each DIAPER GENIE®  111 . 
     In use 
     The waste sorting table  100  as best shown in FIGS. 5,  6  and  8  includes a table top  104  having a waste receptacle area  108 . In normal operation cover  106  is removed to expose receptacle covers  130  which are slightly recessed below the top portion of table top  104 . 
     Receptacle covers  130  each are removable and expose a waste receptacle  170  there below from having a receptacle opening  160  for depositing garbage therein. Receptacle openings  160  communicate with interior of support columns  112  which are garbage receiving tubes  116  and serve to temporarily store garbage bundles  150 . 
     A DIAPER GENIE®  111  is located proximate receptacle opening  160  near the top portion of each receiving tube  116  in order to receive garbage which is placed into each waste receptacle  170 . As shown in the drawings four such waste receptacles  170  are present and therefore, four receptacle covers  130  are visible under cover  106  on table top  104 . 
     Those who are familiar with operation of the DIAPER GENIE®  111  will understand that once a garbage bag has reached a certain capacity within the DIAPER GENIE®  111  the twist ring  140  is twisted to tie off that portion of the bag and a new portion of the bag is exposed and released from garbage bag reservoir  144 , thereby sealing off the contents of the previous garbage placed within waste receptacle  170 , thereby minimizing odours, smell and unsightliness of garbage which is stored within receiving tubes  116 . 
     By having multiple waste receptacles  170  which are accessible from table top  104  of waste sorting table  100 , one can designate each individual waste receptacle  170  to receive a specific type of garbage, thereby enabling immediate sorting of garbage directly at waste sorting table  100  into recyclable categories of garbage namely, plastic, paper, tin cans etc. 
     In this way those dining at waste sorting table  100  can immediately deposit and discharge their garbage while seated at the table by placing it into the designated waste receptacle  170  which is proximate the centre of table top  104 . 
     The frame  102  is comprised of support columns  112  which are hollow and define receiving tubes  116  thereby defining waste receptacles  170  and a storage space below frame top  110 . The storage space  180  which houses and stores garbage bundles  150  below the DIAPER GENIE®  111  can be accessed through access doors  118  which are hinged by hinges  120  to each support column  112 . Moving access door  118  from the door closed position  122  to the door open position  124 , one has access to the garbage bundles  150  located within each receiving tube  116  and can be suitably removed from the storage space  180  and disposed of in the proper recycling and/or garbage bin as required. 
     A person skilled in the art will immediately realize that there can be 1, 2, 3, and/or any number of waste receptacles  170  designed into waste sorting table  100 , however by way of example, we have shown four waste receptacles  170  and waste sorting table  100  which is a good number for sorting of garbage into categories which are readily recyclable. 
     Those skilled in the art will also recognize that it is not absolutely necessary to use a DIAPER GENIE®  111  in waste receptacles  170  and one could also use a tubular or elongated garbage bags within receiving tubes  116  in such a manner that they can be closed off and easily removed from storage space  180  within each waste receptacle  170 . 
     Waste sorting table  100  is very suitable for fast food type restaurants using a lot of paper and plastic cutlery which is usually disposed of at the end of each meal. It is also possible to use this table for finer dining by placing cover  106  there over, thereby covering over receptacle covers  130  and the waste receptacle  170 . 
     Waste sorting table  100  therefore is a multi purpose table which can be used in a fast food environment and/or in the fine dining environment by simply adding or removing cover  106 . 
     FIGS. 9,  10  and  11  show that table top  104  can be circular as in FIG. 9 or square shaped as in FIG. 10 or rectangular as in FIG. 11 or any other shape which is practical for a table design. 
     This table can be constructed of any suitable materials including traditional materials such as wood, fibre board and plastic. 
     This same concept can also be applied to a removable or portable chart for disposing of garbage, for example, by room cleaning services within hotels. Waste sorting table  100  can also be designed to be a collapsible table so that it can be used in the outdoors and/or in other locations in which tables must erected and collapsed very quickly. 
     A Sorting Buggy 
     Referring now to FIGS. 15 through 20 an alternate embodiment to the present invention is a waste sorting buggy shown generally as  200 . As best seen in FIG. 20, waste sorting buggy  200  includes the following major components, namely frame  202 , outer doors  204 , wheels  206 , shelves  208 , receptacle covers  210 , DIAPER GENIE®  211 , twist rings  212 , access doors  214 , receiving tubes  218 , top  222  and handle  224 . The unit as shown in FIGS. 15 through 20 is a portable rollable waste sorting buggy  200  which can be used for cleaning staff in Hotels, Motels and the like and serves to provide for immediate sorting of waste as it is collected into discrete compartments. Frame  202  of waste sorting buggy  200  has preferably two doors  204  which conceal behind it four receiving tubes  218 , each having a DIAPER GENIE®  211  mounted proximate the top of each receiving tube  218 . Covering off each receiving tube  218  is a receptacle cover  210  which covers up the DIAPER GENIE®  211  when not in use. 
     In use 
     Waste sorting buggy  200  is used in analogous fashion as waste sorting table  100  with the major difference that waste sorting buggy  200  is portable and rollable from one location to another. For example, cleaning staff in a Hotel or Motel could use waste sorting buggy to collect refuse and garbage from rooms that have been rented out. As the garbage is collected, it is deposited into the appropriate receiving tube  218  and collected as previously described by the DIAPER GENIE®  211  system. In this manner the waste can be discreetly organized into recyclable categories, such as plastic, paper, metal cans etc., so that immediately the garbage is sorting into the appropriate category. 
     Once each receiving tube  218  is full, outer doors  204  are hingably open to reveal there behind receiving tubes  218  each having access doors  214  for removal of the refuse in accordance with the DIAPER GENIE® system. In this manner the refuse is hygienically concealed and automatically categorized for simple and easy recycling. 
     Collapsible Waste Sorting Table 
     An alternate embodiment to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 21 through 30 inclusive and depicts a collapsible waste sorting table  300  which in many aspect is similar to waste sorting table  100  with the additional feature that the table is designed to be easily collapsible. 
     Collapsible waste sorting table  300  includes the following major components, a frame  302 , table top  304 , cover  306 , legs  314 , receiving tubes  316 , access doors  318 . 
     Collapsible waste sorting table  300  is designed such that the major components of the table can be easily taken apart and collapse into collapse position  370  as shown in FIG.  30 . In order to allow collapsing of the table, table top  304  is fitted with female mounting sleeves  390  which mate together with male receiving disc  392  which is the outer edge of frame top  310 . In addition, legs  314  include rabbet grooves  352  which allow legs  314  to interlock with each other in an X configuration. The bottom of each receiving tube  314  also includes a rabbet groove  350  which cooperatively mounts onto each leg  314  as shown in the assembled condition, FIG.  22 . 
     In use 
     In all respects the use of collapsible waste sorting table  300  is analogous and identical to waste sorting table  100  with the additional features that collapsible was sorting table  300  is designed so that it can collapse into collapsed position  370 . 
     In order to assemble the table, the rabbet grooves  350  of each leg  314  are snapped together to form an X type configuration. Thereafter the rabbet grooves  350  of receiving tubes  360  are dimensioned to interactively snap onto legs  314 . Thereafter table to  304  having female mounting sleeves  390  are frictionally and interfering fit onto frame top  310  making connection with male receiving disc  392 . In order to collapse the table, the reverse procedure is implemented. 
     In order to achieve a collapse position  370  as shown in FIG. 30, mounting clips  360  are added onto the bottom of table top  304  to releasable receive legs  314  and frame  302  of collapsible waste sorting  300 . 
     In the other aspects of how the waste and/or refuse is deposited into the receiving tubes  316 , the description given above for waste sorting table  100  applies and this table is used in the identical fashion. 
     It should be apparent to persons skilled in the arts that various modifications and adaptation of this structure described above are possible without departure from the spirit of the invention the scope of which defined in the appended claim.