Abstract:
A trash container that allows for the removal of filled trash container liners without the lifting of the said liners is provided consisting of a trash container equipped with a hinge system and associated latch that allows for the opening of at least one vertical surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to trash containers and, more particularly, to a side opening trash container.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    In the related art, numerous attempts have been made to improve the utilization of trash containers with regards to ease of use when used with trash container liners. These improvements have ranged from simple containers with vacuum release tubes to complex lifting apparatuses which utilize mechanical mechanisms to raise the filled liner from the trash container and the like. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:  
                                                       U.S. Pat. No.   Inventor   Issue Date                           4,630,752   DeMars   Dec. 23, 1986           4,955,497   Winden et al.   Sep. 11, 1990           4,923,080   Lounsbury   May 8, 1990                      
 
           [0005]    The previous art consists of several devices in which the usability of trash containers when used with trash container liners is increased. These devices, however, have one or more of the following problems.  
           [0006]    First, the devices can be complex, and therefore, expensive to manufacture. The public is less likely to purchase an expensive side opening trash container.  
           [0007]    Second, many of the previous devices utilize small parts, openings, crevices, and other such features which do not allow for the user to keep said invention clean and in a state of general sanitization. The ability to keep a trash container in a clean state is important to the general health of those exposed to the said trash container.  
           [0008]    Third, some of the above devices improve the general utilization of trash containers when not used with associated trash container liners and are thus not suited for specific use with trash container liners.  
           [0009]    Fourth, several of the previous devices are designed to hold a plurality of trash bags and are thus not suitable for use with a single trash bag.  
           [0010]    Fifth, many of the previous devices utilize complex mechanisms to raise the filled trash container liner and thus operation is not obvious to the untrained user.  
           [0011]    Sixth, many of the previous devices address the problems of using a trash container in a public place and are thus not suitable for the challenges faced by a trash container in a residential or other non-public location.  
           [0012]    Seventh, some of the previous devices are asymmetrical in nature about their vertical axis and thus require an inordinate amount of floor space to accomplish their objective.  
           [0013]    Eighth, some of the previous devices are for the automated lifting of trash receptacles by mechanical collection means and are thus not suitable for use when trash collecting duties are performed by humans.  
           [0014]    Ninth, some of these devices are so complex in design with numerous moving component parts. This increases the likelihood of mechanical failure of the component parts, resulting in numerous and expensive repairs that are cost prohibitive.  
           [0015]    Consequently, a need has therefore been felt for an improved but less complex mechanism that allows for a side opening trash container.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved trash container.  
           [0017]    It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide for an improved trash container that allows for the removal of a filled trash container liner without requiring lifting of said filled trash container liner.  
           [0018]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide for an improved trash container that can be manufactured in varying sizes and shapes.  
           [0019]    It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide for an improved trash container that is easily cleaned and sanitized to allow for healthier living conditions.  
           [0020]    Briefly described according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention comprises a trash container for use with trash container liners. The trash container is equipped with a hinge system and associated latch that allows for the opening of at least one vertical surface. When weight lifting limitations or other physical ailments prevent a user from lifting the filled trash container liner from the trash container, the latch is released and the filled trash container liner is removed via a horizontal sliding motion. When opened, the side opening trash container may easily be cleaned and/or sanitized to provide for healthier living conditions.  
           [0021]    An advantage of the present invention is that its operation is intuitively obvious to the user with little or no training required.  
           [0022]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it facilitates the removal of filled trash container liners when conditions, such as vacuum, prevent or hinder their removal from conventional trash container containers.  
           [0023]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it is simple, and therefore, inexpensive to manufacture. This savings, if passed on to the consumer, may influence the public to utilize such a device. A simple design also increases product reliability and useful product lifetime.  
           [0024]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides independence to users who are unable to lift heavy weights or are afflicted by physical disabilities.  
           [0025]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it is easily produced from readily available materials using known manufacturing techniques, thus allowing for an economical and practical product. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the side opening trash container shown in closed state with a trash container liner installed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a side view of the side opening trash container;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a top view of the side opening trash container; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the side opening trash container shown in a partially open state with a filled trash container liner.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in the closed position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]    The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.  
       1. Detailed Description of the Figures  
       [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a side opening trash container  10  is shown in closed state with a trash container liner  15  installed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A container  20  is formed by an opening segment  25  and a stationary segment  30  (not shown in this FIG. for illustrative purposes). They are connected along one of their common sides by at least three hinges  35 , all of which lie flush against the exterior surface of the opening segment  25  and the stationary segment  30 . The opening segment  25  and the stationary segment  30  are secured via at least one latch  40 . The preferred embodiment shows two latches  40 . A pair of access hand grooves  45  (only one shown for illustrative clarity) is provided on both the opening segment  25  and the stationary segment  30 , and are positioned in such a manner as to aid the user in carrying the side opening trash container  10  or for separation of the opening segment  25  from the stationary segment  30  as will be described in greater detail below. The access hand grooves  45  are of the handle type configuration and are formed as indentations in the respective opening segment  25  and stationary segment  30 . A trash container lid  50  is provided to contain the trash within the side opening trash container  10  and to provide protection for the user against unpleasant olfactory and visual intrusions during use. A pair of trash container lid access hand grooves  55  is provided as an integral part of the trash container lid  50  to aid the user in placement and removal of the trash container lid  50  upon the container  20  in much the same manner as conventional residential trash containers.  
         [0034]    A trash container lid flap  57  is positioned inside of the trash container lid  50 , and is hinged in its middle such that trash container lid flap  57  swings freely along its horizontal axis. The trash container lid flap  57  thus facilitates the quick and easy filling of the trash container liner  15  with refuse.  
         [0035]    The shape of the side opening trash container  10  as shown in this FIG. is indicated as a circular cross section unit in its vertical plane. It should be noted however that other functional forms such as rectangular and square could also be utilized and should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. It is envisioned that the side opening trash container  10  would be manufactured using plastic or galvanized steel in much the same manner as conventional trash containers for residential use using such manufacturing procedures as injection molding, stamping, rolling and/or welding.  
         [0036]    Referring next to FIG. 2, a side view of the container  20  is disclosed. A reinforcing rim  60  is provided on the upper portion of the opening segment  25  and the stationary segment  30  (not shown in this FIG. for illustrative clarity) to provide structural integrity to the container  20  and to provide a gripping surface for the trash container liner  15  (not shown in this FIG.) when installed. The hinges  35  are envisioned to be manufactured from the same material as the container  20 , namely plastic or steel and will provide at least a 270° swing radius for the opening segment  25  to swing through. Additionally, the latches  40  and the access hand grooves  45  would be manufactured from the same respective material as the container  20 . In the case of plastic materials, it is envisioned that the hinges  35 , the latches  40  and the access hand grooves  45  would be formed as an integral part of the opening segment  25  and the stationary segment  30  (not shown in this FIG. for illustrative clarity).  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of the container  20 , as looking down into its opening is depicted. A bottom surface  65  is disclosed to provide a surface upon which the trash container liner  15  (not shown for illustrative clarity) to rest when in a utilized state. The bottom surface  65  is connected to the stationary segment  30  along one segment of its adjacent perimeter as shown. The other segment of its perimeter is thus adjacent to opening segment  25  though not connected. The access hand grooves  45  provide a means by which the user container supply equal but opposite force to allow for the opening of the opening segment  25  from the stationary segment  30  when the latches  40  are released and swung about the axis as defined by the hinges  35 . The opening thus defined when the hinges  35  are in their fullest open position is therefore equal to the diameter as defined by the trash container liner  15  (not shown in this FIG.) and would thus allow for its subsequent removal. It can be seen that if the container  20  were to take the shape of a rectangular or square unit, the opening segment  25  would only be required to take the length of one of the widest sides as the trash container liner  15  (not shown in this FIG.) would assume.  
         [0038]    Referring finally to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the side opening trash container  10  shown in a partially open state with a filled trash container liner  70  is disclosed. The filled trash container liner  70  would be closed by the user and secured via a closure means  75  such as a metal reinforced twist-tie or plastic locking strip in an ordinary manner as found with conventional trash container liners. The user would then open the container  20 , as aforementioned described by utilization of the hinges  35 , the latch  40 , and the access hand grooves  45  to allow the opening segment  25  to open with respect to the stationary segment  30 . This action would then provide access to the filled trash container liner  70 . The filled trash container liner  70  is then slid from its resting place atop the bottom surface  65  and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations. This said sliding action does not require the user to lift the filled trash container liner  70  above the level of the reinforcing rim  60  as would be found with conventional trash containers. The lack of the lifting requirement allows users with weight lifting limitations or other physical disabilities to utilize the side opening trash container  10  (not shown in this FIG.) as compared to conventional trash containers. The side opening feature would also be enjoyed by users who do not have a weight lifting limitation or other physical disability but who do endure aggravation when trying to remove a filled trash container liner  70  from a conventional trash container and vacuum pressure prevents them from doing so. Such aggravation is most apparent when light weight refuse that assumes the shape of the conventional trash container such as daily refuse, forms a tight vacuum seal. While the container  20  is in its open state as shown, conditions are facilitated to allow the user to wipe out, clean and/or sanitize the container  20 . This said wiping, cleaning and/or sanitizing action is much more convenient as compared to conventional trash containers, thus encouraging the user to perform said actions. These actions promote a healthier living environment around the container  20 .  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein the access hand grooves  45  are replaced by traditional access handles  67 .  
       2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment  
       [0040]    In operation, the present invention can be easily utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner. To use the present invention with its preferred embodiment can best be described in conjunction with the perspective views of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the side view of FIG. 2, and the top view of FIG. 3.  
         [0041]    The user would begin utilization of the side opening trash container  10  by installing the trash container liner  15  into the container  20  and securing the opening of the trash container liner  15  around the reinforcing rim  60  as would be found with a conventional trash container. The trash container lid  50  is then put in place. Refuse is then placed inside the trash container liner  15  via the trash container lid flap  57 . Refuse is continually added to the trash container liner  15  until the trash container liner  15  is filled. At this point the user is ready to remove the filled trash container liner  70 .  
         [0042]    To remove the filled trash container liner  70  the user would first remove the trash container lid  50  by using the trash container lid access hand grooves  55 , then release the outer edges of the filled trash container liner  70  from the reinforcing rim  60  and secure all open edges of the filled trash container liner  70  with a closure means  75 . Next, the user would release the latch  40 , and grasp the access hand grooves  45 . With a swinging action, the opening segment  25  is swung away from the stationary segment  30 , as defined by the swing radius of the hinges  35 , thus exposing the filled trash container liner  70  resting upon the bottom surface  65 . The user would then simply grasp the filled trash container liner  70  about the closure means  75  and slide it away from the container  20 . The filled trash container liner  70  would then be disposed of in accordance with any applicable regulations as in a conventional manner. At this point, the user is ready to clean and/or sanitize the side opening trash container  10  if desired.  
         [0043]    To clean and/or sanitize the side opening trash container  10 , the user would leave the container  20  in its open state as previously defined. The cleaning process could range from a simple wiping out with a cloth, to a fully involved process utilizing water, cleaning chemicals, and/or pressure washers. To sanitize the side opening trash container  10  if so desired, the user would apply a sanitizing chemical and/or disinfectant to all surfaces of the side opening trash container  10 . At this point the user would be ready to reinstall an empty trash container liner  15  and the process would repeat as above described.  
         [0044]    The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.