Abstract:
A slatted recycling and refuse receptacle is provided with detents at the top for the mounting of a demountable top on the receptacle. Various tops can be mounted with various decorative treatments. Having the decoration on the top itself enables such decoration to be removed with the top so it doesn&#39;t interfere with removal of trash and recyclables from the receptacle through the top.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates broadly to the collection of recyclables and refuse and more particularly to the provision of sturdy, practical yet attractive containers or receptacles for collecting recyclables and refuse. More particularly still, this invention relates to the provision of a convertible trash container suitable for use in various environments and wherein the top section of said container or receptacle is readily converted from one form or configuration to another. 
     (2) Description of the Prior Art 
     During the last two or three decades the public collection of recyclables such as cans of various compositions, glass bottles, plastics, paper products and other nominal waste materials and particularly waste packaging materials which can be recycled has come more and more to the fore. Public bodies such as municipalities, state and federal parks and other public bodies as well as corporate entities such as large companies and the like have undertaken to provide recycling and refuse receivers in public places to encourage the public to both dispose of their refuse and to aid in the collection of recyclables for further processing. 
     At one time, the common public container for all kinds of waste materials was the ubiquitous heavy wire-mesh container. Such containers were fairly durable due to their heavy construction plus a certain degree of resiliency or bendability conferred by the open mesh wire construction. Such containers, however, have the disadvantage that the contents are exposed to public view and are frequently objectionable to many members of the public. In more recent years, various solid containers such as, in many cases, concrete containers and the like have been substituted for the former wire-mesh containers, although wire-mesh containers are still used, particularly where aesthetics is not a factor. While such concrete and the like containers are fairly durable and in many cases, particularly when they have an exterior surface of small decorative stones or the like, not unattractive, they are in many cases both difficult to empty and also expensive. Generally, solid containers made of thin coated metal or even durable plastic, including heavy plastic materials, are fairly economical and easy to handle, but objectionable to many people simply because they look like “garbage cans.” They are also often subject to vandalism, since they can be easily picked up, knocked over and otherwise mishandled, in which case the metal tends to bend and flake off its coating, after which it becomes subject to corrosion. Plastic containers, in addition, can usually be fairly easily cracked or otherwise damaged when attacked by a determined vandal. 
     Within the last twenty years, a type of container having a decorative exterior composed originally of wood slats to give it a rustic appearance and more recently of plastic slats which look like wood or similar materials have come into use, particularly in upscale locations such as in shopping malls, public parks, the interior of large buildings and other places where it is desired to have a trash or recycling receptacle in plain sight, but the appearance of an ordinary trash receptacle or garbage container may be unacceptable. The provision of vertical wooden slats or artificial material slats having the appearance of wood over a cylindrical receptacle is particularly desirable because of the rustic appearance provided plus the ease of applying a vertical slat to the exterior of a cylindrical container, so long as the slat is maintained longitudinally aligned with the length of the cylinder. As indicated above, such receptacles have been in use for about two and a half decades and have been extremely popular for about a decade and a half. Such receptacles have been made in various ways including the attachment of the rustic slats on the outside of an ordinary trash can or barrel as well as the provision of a cylindrically shaped receptacle by the use of various internal supporting means such as structural rings and the like to reinforce the other slats so that the combination of the slats and the rings forms their own receptacle. If adequately reinforced internally, such slated exterior ring-reinforcing type containers have proved reasonably strong and durable. 
     Within the last several years a new type of container or receptacle having a slated exterior has come into use. This type of container or receptacle is provided with a slanted top rather than a flat top, resulting in a particularly attractive design. Furthermore, when such slatted receptacles are arranged around a central unifying post, a particularly attractive and aesthetically pleasing arrangement is provided. Such an arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. 331,824 issued Dec. 15, 1992. The initial construction of the new slanted top slatted receptacles was effected by fastening slats with threaded fasteners to the exterior of an ordinary steel barrel with the fastenings passing into the external barrel hoops on such barrel. The internal steel barrel formed a strong construction for the container itself and the slatted exterior with attached differential length slats provided a pleasing appearance to the exterior. When a lid was desired, a flat lid was merely placed in the top supported by internal tabs spaced, usually at four locations, on the interior of the slats. The top could either be supported in a horizontal position or preferably was slanted to conform more or less with the top of the receptacle. Unfortunately, while the described arrangement provided a strong lower section for the receptacle, the upper slanted portion was left essentially unsupported, particularly with respect to the longer or higher slats and there was, furthermore, no satisfactory way to securely attach the top to the receptacle. 
     At this point, a new oval top ring was developed that allowed the exterior plastic slats to be directly attached either on the outside around the oval support ring or on the inside of such ring. A sturdy lid for the receptacle could then be directly attached to the top ring. Subsequently, a flat-topped version for the slatted plastic receptacle was developed in which the structural rings at the top of the receptacle and the bottom are provided with an inclination which allows the slats of the sides to be biased when pulled tight against the structural rings at the top and bottom to provide such slats with either an inward or outward bow which provides a visually pleasing curve to the side of the receptacle. 
     One disadvantage of these slatted type receptacles is that all the receptacles have the same general look either with flat tops or with slanted tops. The present inventor has now developed a more versatile top that not only provides a strong, durable and conveniently openable and securable lid but the option of providing a variety of easily replaceable top designs or treatments for various locations or times. These tops are also suppliable in various materials of construction. For example, in indoor less vandal-prone areas the tops may be formed from heavy molded plastic while in more exposed outdoor areas, the changeable top may be formed of damage resistant metal. The tops may furthermore easily be made with decorative treatments such as flared tops and the like around the exterior edges which do not interfere with removal of the contents of the receptacle because the decorative portions are removed with the top when such top is removed from the receptacle to remove the contents of the receptacle. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention therefore to provide an arrangement at the top of a recycling or refuse container that facilitates the provision of a variety of tops. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a top treatment for a recycling and refuse container that provides for optional removable tops with various decorative treatments. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a strong damage resistant receptacle resistant to the attempts of vandals to damage it as well as their efforts to remove recyclables or rubbish from it and strew such rubbish about. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a receptacle which may be easily and conveniently interchangeable with other similar receptacles with different top treatments. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide convertibility from one type of top to anther so the receptacle can be moved from one location to another conforming it to its new location by merely replacing the top. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a strong damage resistant secure top or cover for a receptacle that may be easily removed and easily replaced either with the same lid or with a different configuration lid or cover. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide flexibility in design for the covers of trash and recycling receptacles by providing a convenient as well as strong and durable top design that can be replaced with other matching top designs. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from review of the following description in connection with the appended drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a slatted-type trash and recycling receptacle wherein the plastic slats are secured to metal structural rings, the assembled slats and structural ring providing a strong damage resistant receptacle and in which the top ring is provided with an upwardly extending circular neck preferably inwardly oriented with respect to the slats, such neck being provided internally or externally with detents including threads adapted to be interconnected with matching detents on a top or lid which is adapted thereby to be easily connected to the upper structural ring while easily removed. The lid or cover is adapted to be formed in several embodiments including being supplied with flared outwardly and upwardly extending decorative edges, straight decorative edges and smooth edges forming a domed top. One or more restricted sized orifices are provided in the top or lid for the receipt of trash or recyclables, each orifice being restricted in size to discourage reaching into the orifice to access the contents of the receptacle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the slatted receptacle top assembly of the invention in which the top has a flared pierced decorative edge. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the invention with a somewhat different design on top comprising an upwardly extending pierced ring formation about the edge. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a still further embodiment of the invention with a smooth top without decorative treatment suitable for less opulent surroundings and also providing less means for vandals to grip the top and try to remove it or the entire assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is a partially broken away sectional view of the top structural ring of the receptacle showing the partially threaded upwardly extending neck for receipt of the top of the receptacle assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the top or cover of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 showing the neck that extends downwardly and releasably secures with the upwardly extending neck of the upper structural ring. 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the top or cover of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 in the manner shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the top or cover of the assembly shown in FIG. 3 in the manner shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the receptacle of the invention with the lid or cover removed. 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric top view of a cover in accordance with the invention having two orifices in its surface. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the recycling and refuse container shown isometrically in FIG. 1, but with smaller openings or orifices in the interchangeable top. 
     FIGS. 11,  12  and  13  show partial sections of the top, middle and lower or bottom structural rings with slats partially applied to illustrate the construction of the entire assembly. 
     FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the bottom of one of the lids or covers of the invention showing the partially threaded neck adapted for connection with the neck of the upper structural ring. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is of the best mode or modes of the invention presently contemplated. Such description is not intended to be understood in a limiting manner and is presented solely for illustration thereof, and by reference to which in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of the advantages and construction of the invention. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a plastic slatted refuse and recycling receptacle in which the receptacle has not only a top that can be removed in order to easily remove refuse and recyclables deposited within, but which top can be replaced by several different tops which provide the receptacle as a whole with substantially different looks or appearances overall. A regular series of such tops range from extremely plain to a relatively ornate flared cornice-type treatment can be provided. Thus, a single basic receptacle can be provided with several different standard looks merely with a change of the top. Ultimately a wide variety of special or custom treatments are possible. Change of the top and thereby the looks of the receptacle are attained by merely removing the top as is also done to remove rubbish or recyclables, and replacing the top with a different design top made to be applied to the same base. Thus, changing the appearance of the receptacle is accomplished in the same manner as removing the top to remove material deposited within such receptacle. 
     In FIG. 1 there is shown an isometric view of a plastic slatted refuse and recyclable receptacle  11  having a standard lower section  13  and a replaceable top section  15 . It will be noted that the top section shown in FIG. 1 has a flared cornice-type treatment around the upper edge, which provides the top and the entire receptacle with a unique or distinctive appearance. The cornice construction  17  is in the form of an outwardly flared molded edge having a series of openings  19  of modified rectangular shape in it. The appearance of the cornice can be readily changed by changing the shape of the openings. The top  15  of the receptacle is shown by itself in FIG.  1 A. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the invention with essentially a different top  15   a  having a different lower unflared cornice  17   a  around the top edge of the receptacle top. It will be noted that the decorative orifices  19   a  in the cornice  17   a  are more square than the more rectangular slightly tapered orifice  19  in the cornice  17  of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a still further embodiment of the convertible receptacle shown in the previous Figures. It will be noted that the top  15 B has an unadorned treatment without any cornice effect at all, merely showing a slightly domed upper surface with a central restricted diameter orifice  21  in it. 
     FIG. 4 is a partially broken away sectional view of the construction of the upper portion of the standard lower receptacle section  13  in accordance with the present invention showing the structural ring  23  with slats  25  attached to such structural ring  23  along a lower flange  27  and with a horizontal flange  29  extending inwardly with an upwardly extending circular neck  31  supported from the inwardly extending flange  29 . The neck  31  is provided with a series of detents  33  in the form of short threads adapted to receive matching detents  35  on a similar downwardly extending matching neck  37  upon the top or cover  15 ,  15   a  or  15   b . See FIG. 5 which is a partially broken away view of the cover of the assembly  11  shown in FIG.  1 . As can be seen, the cover or top  15  can be mounted upon the receptacle section  13  by inserting the neck  37  of the top within the neck  31  of the upper structural ring and twisting the top approximately one quarter turn to secure the two together. It will be evident from FIG. 4 that other locations for the neck  31  and detents may be arranged including use of the outer flange  41 . It is desirable to provide flange  41 , however, as a stop against which the outer flange  43  of the top  15  may abut. See FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the top  15   b  of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 in a similar manner to that shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the top shown in FIG. 3 in a similar manner to that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the lower section  13  of the plastic slatted receptacle assembly shown in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 . 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric upper view of a cover in accordance with the invention having two orifices in the cover surface. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the recycling and refuse container shown isometrically in FIG. 1, but with smaller openings or orifices in the interchangeable top. 
     FIGS. 11,  12 , and  13  show partial sections of the top middle and lower or bottom structural rings supporting the slats of the bottom section  13  of the receptacle body  13 . 
     FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the bottom of one of the covers or tops  15  of the invention showing the partially threaded neck  37  adapted for connection with or to the corresponding neck  31  of the upper structural ring. 
     It will be recognized that the various Figures together show a representation of an improved recycling and refuse receptacle that is not only efficient in collection of trash and recyclables, but which also can be changed easily and quickly from one embodiment or appearance to another by merely substituting different design tops in the same way that the top or tops are removed for the removal of refuse or recyclables from the interior of the receptacle and then replaced after removal of such waste materials. Both standard and replaceable or changeable heads or tops  15  of the receptacle  13  can be carried by a producer. Custom made heads can also be easily made. The heads or tops  15  can be secured to the standard lower section  13  by any suitable lock to deter unauthorized removal or change of the tops. 
     While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited as to any particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, and is to be construed with reference to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention.