Abstract:
Disclosed in this specification is a waste bin with an electric fan for removing air from the receptacle. The electric fan is disposed at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the receptacle. Upon activation of the electric fan, the electric fan remains on for a predetermined period of time and thereafter automatically turns off. While the fan is active, a bag can more easily be disposed within the receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/705,234 (filed Sep. 25, 2012), the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates, in one embodiment, to a waste bin with an electric fan to remove air from the space within the receptacle. This facilitates the placement of a bag within the receptacle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Waste bins are widely used in residential households and commercial facilities. Flexible plastic bags are placed in the opening of traditional waste bins. Many users have difficulty properly positioning the bags within traditional waste bins—the bags often adhere to the sides of the bin and fail to reach the bottom. Additionally, as the bags are filled with waste, the bags tend to establish a seal with the waste bin which makes removal of the bag difficult. 
         [0004]    Therefore, an improved waste bin is desired that addresses at least some of these shortcomings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Disclosed in this specification is a waste bin with an electric fan for removing air from the receptacle. The electric fan is disposed at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the receptacle. Upon activation of the electric fan, the electric fan remains on for a predetermined period of time and thereafter automatically turns off. While the fan is active, a bag can more easily be disposed within the receptacle. 
         [0006]    In one exemplary embodiment, a waste bin for permitting easy manipulation of a bag, the waste bin is disclosed. The waste bin comprises a receptacle with a bottom surface, an opening and at least one vertical surface surrounding the bottom surface and the opening to define a space within the receptacle; an electric fan disposed in the vertical surface of the receptacle that provides an air pathway between the space within the receptacle and an ambient environment, the electric fan being disposed at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface; an electrical circuit connected to the electric fan to control operation of the electric fan; and an actuation switch in communication with the electrical circuit for activating the electric fan. 
         [0007]    In another exemplary embodiment, a method for disposing a bag within a waste bin is disposed. The method comprising the steps of: disposing a bag proximate an opening of a receptacle, the receptacle having: a bottom surface, the opening and at least one vertical surface surrounding the bottom surface and the opening to define a space within the receptacle; an electric fan disposed in the vertical surface of the receptacle that provides an air pathway between the space within the receptacle and an ambient environment, the electric fan being disposed at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface; an electrical circuit connected to the electric fan to control operation of the electric fan; and an actuation switch in communication with the electrical circuit for activating the electric fan. The method further comprises the steps of activating the actuation switch to cause the electric fan to turn on; permitting the electric fan to pull the bag toward the bottom surface of the receptacle; and permitting the electrical circuit to turn the electric fan off after a predetermined period of time. 
         [0008]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, a system for disposing a bag within a waste bin is disclosed. The system comprising an adaptor comprising an elongated pipe with a top opening and a bottom opening at opposite ends of the elongated pipe. The adapter further includes: an electric fan in the elongated pipe for moving air into the bottom opening and out of the top opening; an electrical circuit connected to the electric fan to control operation of the electric fan; an actuation switch in communication with the electrical circuit for activating the electric fan. The system further comprises a receptacle with a bottom surface, an opening and at least one vertical surface surrounding the bottom surface and the opening to define a space within the receptacle. The adaptor is disposed at least partially within the space within the receptacle such that the bottom opening is proximate the bottom surface of the receptacle and the top opening is proximate the opening. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of an exemplary waste bin; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of an exemplary electric fan; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are cross-sectional views of an exemplary receptacle; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for controlling an actuation switch; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a depiction of an exemplary lid showing an actuation switch; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  illustrate a protective screen over the electric fan; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  depict an exemplary adapter. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of an exemplary waste bin  100 . The waste bin  100  comprises a receptacle  102  with an opening  104  surrounded by vertical surfaces  106 . The exemplary waste bin  100  has four vertical surfaces  106  which provide a rectangular opening  104 . In other embodiments, there may be a different number of vertical surfaces  106  to provide openings  104  of various shapes including squares, circles, ovals, and other shapes. The receptacle  102  may be formed from any suitable material, including metal and/or plastic. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the waste bin  100  further comprises a lid  108  shaped to fit the opening  104 . Lid  108  may fit to the opening  104  with a secure connector. Examples of secure connectors include snap connectors, hinge connectors and the like. The receptacle  102  comprises an electric fan  110  in vertical surface  106 . The electric fan  110  is proximate a bottom surface  112 . The electric fan  110  provides a pathway between the space  114  within receptacle  102  and the ambient environment. In one embodiment, the electric fan  110  is disposed in the lower 50% of the height  116  of the receptacle  102 . In another embodiment, the electric fan  110  is disposed in the lower 25% of the height  116  of the receptacle  102 . In yet another embodiment, the electric fan  110  is disposed in the lower 10% of the height  116  of the receptacle  102 . 
         [0019]    In use, a user disposes a flexible bag near opening  104 . The electric fan  110  is then activated. The electric fan  110  moves air from space  114  which pulls the bag toward bottom surface  112 . In this fashion the bag is properly and easily deployed within the waste bin  100 . When the user wishes to remove the bag from the waste bin  100 , the electric fan  110  provides a pathway to supply air into the space  114  from the ambient environment. As the bag is lifted, air passes from the ambient environment, around the blades of the electric fan  110 , and into the space  114 . This prevents the formation of a vacuum within the space  114  thereby facilitating removal of the bag. The electric fan  110  need not be on while the bag is removed. As a further advantage, the user can place the bag in the receptacle  102  with minimal contact with the bag. This is particularly advantageous in situations where hygiene is a concern such as, for example, in health care environments. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the electric fan  110 . The electric fan  110  is placed a predetermined distance  200  from the bottom surface  112 . The predetermined distance  200  is greater than zero centimeters. Advantageously, this prevents contamination of the electric fan  110 . For example, if liquid waste escapes the bag, the liquid pools near the bottom surface  112 . However, due to the predetermined distance  200 , this liquid does not contact the electric fan  110  and the functioning of the electric fan  110  is not hindered. In one embodiment, the predetermined distance is between one centimeter and ten centimeters. In another embodiment, the predetermined distance is between two centimeters and eight centimeters. In yet another embodiment, the predetermined distance is between three centimeters and eight centimeters. 
         [0021]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the electric fan  110  is coupled to electrical circuit  202 . The electrical circuit  202  may further include a power supply that powers the fan (e.g. a battery or adapter that connects to an electric plug). The electrical circuit  202  controls the operation of the electric fan  110 . The electric fan  110  may be, for example a nine to twenty-four volt electric fan. In another embodiment, the electric fan  110  is a nine to twelve volt electric fan. 
         [0022]    The electric fan  110  has blades with a handedness configured to remove air from the space  114  when the electric fan  110  is actuated. In one embodiment, the electric fan  110  is freely rotating such that, when the electric fan  110  is not actuated, it can rotate in a direction opposite its handedness. As shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , this permits the electric fan  110  to rotate in a reverse direction when the bag is removed. For example, the electric fan may be configured to actively rotate in a first rotary direction upon actuation and this rotation moves air from the space  114  in the direction of arrow  300 . The electric fan  110  may also passively rotate in a second rotary direction, opposite the first rotary direction, when the electric fan  110  is not actuated by virtue of the motion of air passing around the blades as the air moves from the ambient environment, in the direction of arrow  302 , into the space  14 . In another embodiment, the actuation switch includes a directional control for reversing the rotary direction of the electric fan  110 . Such an embodiment actively supplies air into the space  114 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an exemplary method  400  for controlling an actuation switch. Method  400  begins with step  402  wherein an actuation switch is activated which, in turn, actuates the electric fan  110 . In one embodiment, the actuation switch is a manual switch. Such a manual switch may be located, for example, proximate the opening  104 . In other embodiments, the actuation switch may be an automated switch that is connected to a sensor such as a motion sensor or light sensor. 
         [0024]    In step  404  of the method  400 , the electric fan  110  is run for a predetermined period of time. In one embodiment, the predetermined period of time is preprogrammed into a timing circuit in the electrical circuit  202 . In another embodiment, the predetermined period of time is adjustable by virtue of a user-operable controller, such as a dial controller connected to the electrical circuit  202 . Examples of suitable predetermined periods of time may be ten seconds to two minutes. In another embodiment, the predetermined period of time is between ten seconds and one minute. In yet another embodiment, the predetermined period of time is between ten seconds and thirty seconds. 
         [0025]    In step  406  of the method  400 , the electrical circuit  202  automatically turn the electric fan  110  off after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a depiction of exemplary lid  108  showing an actuation switch  500 . Although the actuation switch  500  is depicted as being disposed in the lid  108 , the actuation switch  500  may be placed at alternative locations. For example, in one embodiment, the actuation switch  500  is disposed on the external surface of electric fan  110 . In another embodiment, the actuation switch  500  is disposed on the external surface of the receptacle  102  near the bottom surface  114 . In one such embodiment, the actuation switch is a foot pedal. The actuation switch  500  is in communication with the electrical circuit  202 . In one embodiment, the actuation switch  500  is in communication with the electrical circuit by a wired connection. In another embodiment, the actuation switch  500  is in communication with the electrical circuit by a wireless connection. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  illustrate a protective screen  600  over the electric fan  110 . Protective screen  600  faces the space  114  and keeps the bag away from the blades of the electric fan  110 . The protective screen  600  has grates  602  to permit air to pass through the protective screen  600 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6B , the grates  602  are on the vertical surface of protective screen  600 . In other embodiments, the grates may be on a horizontal surface of protective screen  600  (e.g. on the bottom). In yet another embodiment, the grates are on both horizontal or vertical surfaces. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , the protective screen has an angled vertical surface that slopes outwardly and downwardly away from the electric fan  110 . This provides an exposed bottom horizontal surface suitable for grates. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  depict an exemplary adapter.  FIG. 7A  depicts an adaptor  700  that comprises an elongated pipe  702  fitted with a top opening  704  and a bottom opening  706 . The adapter  700  permits one to retrofit an existing receptacle  712  (see  FIG. 7B ). In the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7A , the top opening  704  is connected to the elongated pipe  702  by a top curvature  708 . The adaptor  700  may be attached by simply hanging curvature  708  over the vertical surface of receptacle  712 . In another embodiment fasteners, such as clips, are used to secure the adaptor  700  to the receptacle  712 . The bottom opening  706  is connected to the elongated pipe  702  by a bottom curvature  710 . An electric fan (not shown) is disposed at a point along the adaptor  700 . This electric fan is configured in a fashion analogous to the electric fan  110  and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the bottom opening  706 . The electric fan may be disposed proximate the top opening  704 , proximate the bottom opening  706  or at any point between. It should be understood that  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  are schematic depictions only. The relative dimensions of the components may be altered to fit a particular design. For example, the pipe need not be cylindrical and/or the diameter may be reduced. In those embodiments where a lid is present, the diameter of adapter  700  may be reduced to permit the lid to attach to the receptacle. The adapter  700  also comprises electric circuit and actuation switch (not shown) for controlling the fan. In one embodiment, the actuation switch is proximate the top opening  704  for easy access. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the adaptor  700  has one or more accordion connectors to permit the adaptor to be flexed to fit a particular receptacle. For example, top curvature  708  and/or bottom curvature  710  may be accordion connectors. Additionally or alternatively, an accordion connector may be present in elongated pipe  702 . This permits additional flexibility as well as permits the elongated pipe to be extended lengthwise to accommodate receptacles of various heights. In another embodiment, elongated pipe  702  is fitted with a telescoping connector to permit lengthwise adjustment. 
         [0030]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the claims not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the claims will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.