Abstract:
A trash compactor suitable for backpacking having two parts: a container and a removable plunger. The container is made from a tube. The ends of the tube are formed to accept caps. The caps are fitted with gaskets to prevent leaking of liquids and odors. One of the end caps has a plug to allow liquids to be drained from the container during compression. In one embodiment, the plunger has a flat press end and a handle. In another embodiment, the plunger base is fitted into one of the screw caps. The handle is a threaded shaft that screws into the plunger base. The container may be lined with a plastic bag for disposal or the trash can be stored in the container and then transferred to a separate plastic bag for disposal. The compactor can be used in recreational vehicles, boats and automobiles as well as by hikers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/102,155, filed Mar. 19, 2002, now abandoned. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to portable trash compactors and particularly to portable trash compactors for backpacking use. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Backpacking in remote areas of the country has long been a popular outdoor activity. When backpacking, people carry everything they need for backcountry living with them. This includes shelter, food and water. In many cases, backpacking is a pleasant experience. However, like home living, there are some inconveniences. In the backcountry, there are usually no trash receptacles. The standard rule is “if you pack it in, you must pack it out.” Although backpackers do travel light, they can produce a bulky amount of trash. This is often inconvenient to carry as the amount of trash increases as the hike continues. Plastic trash bags serve as a useful way to hold trash, but they can be damaged. This can cause undesirable problems, such as trash being dumped on a trail or liquids to leaking out into a backpack. 
   Two devices that deal with trash storage in outdoor locations are found in U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,109 to Hokoana Jr. discloses a frame that can be suspended. The frame holds a plastic trash bag, which can be suspended by a hook on the frame. A cover can also be used to cover the trash within the bag. Although this device is designed for home and garden use, it can be used by backpackers to hold trash. The problem is that the backpacker is then left with a large plastic bag full of trash to carry out, with all of the problems mentioned above. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,643 to Cordova teaches a camping clean up station that includes a water jug, cups a towel and a small disposable trash container. The problem is here that the trash container is again, a small plastic bag that simply holds trash. 
   It has long been recognized that compacting trash is an efficient way to store and hold large amounts of trash. Compactors compress trash down to a small volume compared to uncompacted trash. This small volume is then easier to carry and store until it can be disposed of. Electric trash compactors have been used in homes for years. Unfortunately, they cannot be used in the wilds. 
   Manual trash compactors have been developed, but these are generally for large trashcans and are not practical for backpacking applications. Some examples of these devices are found in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,322 to Marasco teaches a compactor that has a large frame. A trash receptacle is placed within the frame. A large lid that fits within the receptacle is suspended from a pivoting arm. After trash is placed in the container, the lid is dropped down into the container and the arm is depressed. This causes the lid to compress the trash that is in the container. Once compressed, the lid can be withdrawn for additional trash loads until the container is full. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,866 teaches a stacked trash container system. In this design, an outer container holds the trash. The outer container has pleated sides that can be compressed. An inner container, or alternatively, a plunger, is placed within the outer container on top of the trash. The inner container is then pushed down, compressing the pleats until the trash in the outer container is fully compressed. This step can be repeated until the container is full. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,932 to Basuino is similar to the Marasco patent in that it uses a lid attached to a lever to compress trash in a container. Unlike Marasco, the lid and arm assembly is mounted to a wall and the large frame is eliminated. The device can be folded to sit against the wall and then pulled out when needed. As before, the lid is placed into the container and the arm is used to press down on the trash. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,047 teaches a portable container that has a pivoting lid. An arm is attached to the lid so that when the lid is placed in the container, the arm can be used to compress the trash within the container. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,126 teaches an interesting form of compactor. This unit is intended to be bolted to a table or bench, so it is not suitable for portable use. It has an upper chamber and a lower chamber that are separated by a grate. The upper chamber is sealed and has an access door for loading trash. The device has a double plunger system. It has a first plunger that is a screw type plunger. This is operated by a wheel that is turned. This plunger is a hollow tube. Within this tube is a second plunger. This plunger is an impact type that is operated by raising and lower the plunger, thus pounding the refuse down. The impact plunger is designed to be used initially. Once the refuse has been pounded, the wheel can be turned to further compress the refuse down. Once compressed, the grate at the bottom of the container is removed and the trash is allowed to fall into the lower container. This container is removable for disposal of the compacted trash. 
   Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,567 discloses a trash compactor that uses a small container to hold trash. A hinged lid is used to close the box. The lid is attached to a vertical slide. The slide is pushed down to compress the trash within the container. Once the trash is compressed, it can be removed from the container and be disposed of in a standard container. While useful, none of these devices is suitable for backpacking applications in remote areas. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The instant invention is suitable for backpacking. It consists of two parts. First is a container and the second is a removable plunger. The container is made from a plastic tube. The ends of the tube are formed to accept caps. The caps are fitted with gaskets to prevent leaking of liquids and odors. One of the end caps has a plug to allow liquids to be drained from the container during compression. 
   The plunger can have different configurations. In one embodiment, the plunger has a flat press end and a handle extending out from it. In another embodiment, the plunger base is fitted into one of the screw caps. The handle is a threaded shaft that screws into the plunger base. 
   The container is lined with a plastic bag before use to collect the compressed trash. In one embodiment, the trash can be stored in the container and then transferred to a separate plastic bag for disposal. 
   In another embodiment, the plunger is eliminated. The tube is formed with a set of very coarse threads on one half of its inner wall. One end cap is formed that has a set of corresponding threads on its outer surface. Thus, this end cap screws down into the tube. A wrench is used to turn the end cap down. A sealing end cap is placed on the other end of the tube to close it off. Refuse is placed in the tube and the first end cap is screwed down into the tube. As this cap is screwed down, it compresses the trash in the tube. As additional trash is placed in the tube, the end cap can be backed out and screwed back in to compress this additional trash. This produces a compact device that has a minimum of parts. 
   The compactor can be used in recreational vehicles, boats and automobiles as well as by hikers. 
   It is an object of this invention to produce a portable trash compactor for use while backpacking. 
   It is another object of this invention to produce a portable trash compactor that can be used to conveniently compact trash in remote areas for subsequent disposal. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to produce a portable trash compactor that allows liquids to be drained during compaction. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to produce a portable trash compactor that has a variety of compression plungers for compressing the trash. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to produce a portable trash compactor that has sealed end caps that are air and water tight to prevent leaking. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the invention showing a removable plunger. 
       FIG. 1   a  is a side view of a removable plunger. 
       FIG. 2   a  is a top view of two end caps. 
       FIG. 2   b  is a side view of a threaded end cap. 
       FIG. 2   c  is a top view of the second of two end caps. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a detail view of a wrench used to remove the end caps and an end cap. 
       FIG. 3   b  is an end view of the wrench. 
       FIG. 4  is a detail view of a bleeder valve on the device. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the device having a threaded plunger system. 
       FIG. 6  is an alternative form of the second embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a detail of an o-ring type seal for the end caps. 
       FIG. 8  is a detail view of a different means to secure the end caps in place. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a removable plastic liner for the device. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention as assembled, showing a removable liner installed in the housing, with the plunger in place and a quantity of compacted refuse being held in the container. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the tube of a third embodiment. 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the end cap-compressor of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the end-cap compressor of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the end-cap compressor of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the second end cap of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of the second end cap of the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an operating tool for the third embodiment. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the end-cap compressor of the third embodiment showing an alternative threading handle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 1   a , the basic form of the invention  1  is shown. In this embodiment, the device has a main tube  2  and two threaded ends  3 , which act as a housing. In this embodiment, the ends have threads  3   a  on the inside to accept caps  10  and  10   a  as described below. A plunger  5  is used to compact trash placed inside the tube  2  (see  FIG. 1   a ). As shown in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c , in this embodiment, two end caps  10  and  10   a  are used. Both caps have external threads  11  that mate with the threads in the threaded ends  3 . Both caps have center ridges  12  that allow the user to turn the caps to lock then in place. Cap  10   a  also has a center hole  13  that accepts the handle  6  of the plunger  5 . To use this embodiment, seal one end of the tube  2  with cap  10 . Then place cap  10   a  over the handle  6  of the plunger. Insert the paddle part  7  of the plunger into the tube and secure cap  10   a  in place. Push on the plunger handle to compact the trash in the tube. The user can use a rock, hammer or similar tool to help push the plunger into the tube to further compress the trash. When the tube is full, cap  10  can be removed and the plunger can then be used to push the compressed trash out of the tube and into a proper receptacle, such as a plastic trash bag. 
     FIG. 1  also shows an option for a side door  15  that can be used to load the container without having to remove the end caps. 
     FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show a wrench  20  that can be used to help screw in the screw-type end caps  10  and  10   a . The wrench is a cylinder that is similar in size to the caps. The wrench has a center void  21  that mates with the center ridge  12  in the caps. Once the wrench is in place, it makes turning the end caps easy. Of course, the wrench can have a ridge and the end caps can have a central void. The choice is a matter of design. 
     FIG. 4  shows details of a bleeder valve  30 . Although the bleeder valve  30  can be placed in the tube, the preferred location is to place it in end cap  10 . This valve is designed to pass liquids that are in the tube when the trash is being compressed. If there is no compression, the valve is closed to prevent leaks. 
     FIG. 5  shows yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, end cap  10   a  has a center hole as before. However, this hole forms a cylinder  35 . A plunger base  36  has an upper cylinder  37  that has internal threads. Cylinder  37  is designed to be friction fit into cylinder  35 . The plunger handle  38  has a set of corresponding threads  39  that match the threads in the cylinder  37 . In this way, the plunger base  36  is designed to remain in the tube, fitted into the end cap. The handle is then removable to store separately. 
     FIG. 6  is a variation of this design. Here, end cap  10   a  has a threaded cylinder  40 . The plunger has a flat end  41  and a threaded shaft  42 . In this embodiment, the plunger is made a permanent part of the end cap  10   a . The threaded handle is screwed into the threaded cylinder  40  and then the flat end  41  is attached so that when the end cap is installed in the tube, the flat end is inside. In this embodiment, trash is placed inside the tube. End cap  10   a  is screwed in place. Then the handle  42  is turned, which forces the flat portion of the plunger to compress the trash. The handle can be unscrewed as desired to load more trash for compacting. 
     FIG. 7  shows an important feature of the device.  FIG. 7  shows a cross-section of the basic embodiment without the end cap in place. Inside the end portion  3  is a small ridge  50 . On this ridge is placed an o-ring type seal  51 . The o-ring seal prevents leakage from the device. Note that a seal is provided for in each end of the device. Note also that the seal can be any type of seal known in the art and can be adapted to different types of end caps. 
   As just mentioned, the device can have different styles of end caps. For example, the tube  2  can have external threaded ends that accept caps that fit over m instead of into, the ends of the tube. In this case, the seal is placed in the end cap and not in the tube. Moreover, the end caps do not have to be threaded. They can be slip fit, friction fit and held with pipe clamps.  FIG. 8  shows an end cap  60  fitted to tube  2  with a threaded pipe clamp  61 . These methods are not preferred, however, because it is not as easy to obtain a reliable seal with these methods so that the seal remains in place during compaction of the trash. 
     FIG. 9  shows a liner  70 . The liner is plastic and is shaped to fit the inside of the tube. Using a liner eliminates the need to place the compacted trash into a separate receptacle for disposal. When fully loaded, the bag  70  can be sealed and pulled from the tube for disposal without any further steps. Note that for the container with the optional side door  15 , the bag cannot be used as shown. 
   The device can be made from any suitable material such as cardboard, metal, wood or plastic. Because the device is designed for backpacking use, lightweight materials such as plastics are preferred. A cardboard device may be used as a disposable model. When full, the tube can simply be thrown away, without having to empty it. Of course, the plunger would have to be sufficiently strong to ensure good compaction in this case. 
     FIG. 10  shows a side view of one embodiment of the invention as assembled, showing a removable liner  70  installed in the housing  2 , with the two end caps  10  and  10   a  in place, with the plunger  5  compressing a quantity of compacted refuse  100  being held in the container. 
     FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the tube of a third embodiment. In this embodiment, there is no separate plunger or piston to compress the trash. Rather, one of the end caps is used to compress the trash. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the tube  80  has two open ends as before. In the preferred embodiment, one end has a set of square threads  81 . Note that these threads are quite large, being approximately ⅛ inch (3 mm) wide. This enables the cap to be screwed down into the tube, as discussed below to compress the trash without causing the threads to be stripped or jammed.  FIG. 11  also shows a number of fine threads  81   a  at the other end of the tube. These threads mate with the threads on the second end cap (discussed below). 
     FIG. 12  is a side view of the end cap-compressor  82  of the third embodiment. As shown, the end cap-compressor  82  has a set of corresponding square threads  83  that mate with the threads in the tube. Of course, other types of coarse threads may be used in place of the square threads discussed above. 
     FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the end-cap compressor  82  of the third embodiment.  FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the end-cap compressor  82  of the third embodiment. These views show a center insert  84  that has a hex shaped receptacle  85  formed therein. This receptacle  85  accepts a hex drive that is used to turn the end cap-compressor into (and out of) the container  80 . Of course, while the hex key is preferred, any other suitably shaped drive may be used instead. Hex drives are commonly used in hex key wrench sets and are easy to obtain and use. 
     FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the end-cap compressor of the third embodiment. Here, instead of a recessed center insert, a knurled knob  97  is shown. This knob is formed on the top of the cap to allow the user to turn the cap into the housing without the use of tools. The knob  97  also has a hex insert  98  as shown. This allows the use of a tool as well. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16  show a top plan view of the second end cap  86  of the third embodiment and a side perspective view of the second end cap of the third embodiment respectively. Here, the end cap  86  has fine threads  87 . These threads mate with the fine threads  81   a  shown in  FIG. 11 . Note also that the end cap  86  has a wide flange  88  at its base. This is to provide a gasket seal for the tube. 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , a hex head threaded boss  89  is installed into the end cap  86 . This boss  89  may be removed to drain any liquid that may accumulate within the tube during the compressing operation. 
     FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an operating tool  90  for the third embodiment. It has a handle  91  and a shaft  92 . Note that the shaft shown is hexagonal, which matches the hex shaped receptacle  85 . Of course, as mentioned before, the tool shaft and receptacle can be made using other shapes as desired. 
   The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.