Abstract:
The temporary trash container generally tastefully decorates a container with a hinged lid that stores bags. Residents place bags in the container as desired and then the garbage men retrieve the trash bags. The container can remain in one location indefinitely. The container has a generally rectangular box shape with a front panel, a left side panel, a right side panel, a rear panel, a lid hinged to the rear panel and to a door included with the front panel, and a bottom panel. The present invention has wheels and handles for movement of the container and placement of flower boxes as desired.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of priority to the provisional application Ser. No. 60/575,061, filed May 27, 2004 by the same inventor. The above noted application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The temporary trash container relates generally to storage devices, and more specifically to waste receptacles.  
         [0003]     Through living, people produce trash in many forms industrially, commercially, and residentially. In a residential setting, people produce food scraps, paper, other packaging, and debris from domestic projects. People have to dispose of their trash for sanitation and aesthetic reasons. People dislike the odors and appearance of trash and containers thereof.  
         [0004]     In separate houses, subdivisions, condominiums, and apartments, trash is usually picked up on a regular basis. Some residential settings use dumpsters for residents to place trash at anytime and waste haulers to remove at any time. Some view dumpsters as unsightly. Other residential settings use trash cans placed at the curb by residents on a designated day. Depending on weather, empty trash cans may roll or blow around a neighborhood. And in other residential settings, residents place the bags of trash alone at their curb. Trash bags appear unsightly and may be opened by animals. Each method of temporary trash storage prior to pick up has its advantages and disadvantages.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0005]     Trash containers have proliferated into numerous varieties. Industrial sites have open and closed dumpsters of varying capacity and with or without compactors. Toning down from the industrial, residential sites also have various trash containers.  
         [0006]     Large residential and communal areas have dumpsters located at a mutually convenient place for residents and trash haulers. The residents can place trash in the dumpsters at will while the trash haulers can empty the dumpsters with large trucks on their own schedule. The dumpsters provide convenience to the residents but may appear unsightly initially. The dumpsters can grow more unsightly as trash billows out of an over full dumpster.  
         [0007]     Other residential areas have large wheeled cans. The wheeled cans have sufficient capacity for the trash produced by a family of four persons in a week. The wheeled cans have a fitting upon one side that cooperates with a lifting device upon a truck. Residents usually keep the wheeled cans alongside a house or in a garage until the designated trash pickup day. Residents bear the burdens of moving the wheeled can on the designated day and any odors while having the benefit of convenient access.  
         [0008]     In other areas, residents have trash cans. The trash cans have lids initially though the lids may disappear in time due to a variety of reasons. The residents store the trash cans in a location out of sight and downwind of the residence due to odor in summer. The residents can place trash in the cans as desired but must drag the cans to a curb for pickup. The cans have pleasing color schemes however, empty cans are prone to rolling during windy days. And, the resident must also retrieve the empty cans.  
         [0009]     Lastly in some residential areas, residents place bags of trash at curbside. Using bags alone saves residents the expense and hassle of dealing with cans. However, bags alone usually increase the pickup frequency as fewer bags can be stored before offending the residents. Bags alone also may make an area unsightly as residents place bags out in advance of a pickup date and as animals investigate and open the bags.  
         [0010]     The patent to Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,033 shows a tilting trash storage apparatus. The apparatus has an inclined container upon a wheeled carriage. The incline places the container near shoulder height of a person. Tilting the apparatus dumps trash from the container into another receptacle. Though useful, the apparatus does not conceal well outside of a residence. In contrast, the present invention lacks a wheeled carriage and keeps its container below waist level of a person. Decorated and with a readily opened door, the present invention can remain in view without disturbing aesthetics. The present invention requires trash bags to be pulled from the container but not dumped.  
         [0011]     The present invention seeks to combine the advantages of convenient access of dumpsters, flexibility of cans, and ease of bags in an eye pleasing trash container.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     Generally, the present invention provides a tastefully decorated container with a hinged lid that stores bags of trash. Residents place bags in the container as desired and then the garbage men retrieve the bags on their schedule. The container can remain in one location indefinitely. The present invention has a generally rectangular box shape with a front, a left side, a right side, a rear, a lid hinged to the rear, and a bottom. The present invention has handles upon the left side and the right side for movement of the container and placement of flower boxes as desired.  
         [0013]     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.  
         [0014]     The invention may also include wheels upon the bottom, cylinders to assist in opening and closing the lid, ventilation of vapors and drainage of fluids, and a loop for anchoring the present invention. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.  
         [0015]     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0016]     One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved temporary trash container.  
         [0017]     Another object is to provide a temporary trash container that can be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed to the consuming public.  
         [0018]     Another object is to provide a temporary trash container that allows ready access by garbage men to bags within the container.  
         [0019]     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the lid open;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view with the present invention open;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  describes a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of the present invention with the lid closed;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  describes the left side view of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  describes the right side view of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  illustrates the rear view of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of the present invention with the lid open;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the present invention with the lid open; and,  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  describes the bottom view of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0030]     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]     The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a temporary trash container of suitable size for storing trash bags and capable of decoration in front of a residence.  
         [0032]     The present invention begins in  FIG. 1  with a generally rectangular shaped container  1  having a lid  11  upon the top. In this view, the left side panel  5  of the container  1  is shown including the left side handle  7 . The left side handle  7  is hollow and generally conical. The base of the conical shape is proximate to the lid  11  for the left side handle  7 . A homeowner may place flower pots or earth within the left side handle  7  for seasonal decoration. Within the container  1 , a homeowner places trash in bags and the container  1  holds at least three bags of household trash. To put in a bag and when trash pickup day arrives, the lid  11  is lifted as shown in  FIG. 2 . The lid  11  rotates upwards and toward the rear panel  4  of the container  1 . Cylinders  15  located upon the left side panel  5  and the right side panel  6  and connecting to the underside of the lid  11  assist in opening the lid  11 . The cylinders  15  can be either pneumatic or hydraulic. As the lid  11  rotates, the door  3  folds upon the underside of the lid  11 , later shown in  FIG. 8 . The door  3  when folded away provides ready access to the interior of the container  1 .  
         [0033]     Looking at the present invention  1  more closely, the invention appears in  FIG. 3  and has a generally rectangular shaped container  1  having a lid  11  upon the top. The container  1  has a rectangular front panel  2  having a longitudinal axis generally horizontal. Within the front panel  2 , a door  3  provides access to trash bags stored within the present invention  1 . The door  3  is narrower than the length of the container  1  and shallower than the height of the container  1 . The door  3  though does hingedly attach to one longitudinal side of the lid  11 . In the preferred embodiment, the door  3  has two second hinges  11   a  connected to the lid  11 . The door  3  flares in width as it approaches the lid  11 , forming shoulders  2   a  upon both ends of the front panel  2 . The door  3  has a pull  13  centered and proximate to the bottom. The pull  13  allows a resident or a garbage man to open the present invention  1 . Extending rearward from the front panel  2 , the present invention  1  has a left side panel  5  and a right side panel  6  denoted by a handle  7 ,  8  upon each side. In front view, the handles  7 ,  8  have a generally conical shape with the surface extending upward and away from the respective sides. The handles  7 ,  8  have sufficient width to support a flower box yet permit a person to grasp the handle  7 ,  8  by hand.  
         [0034]     Viewing the front panel  2  of the container  1 , the door  3  and shoulders  2   a  have a band of decoration suitable to mimic flower boxes. The left handle  7  and the right handle  8  permit placement of flower pots or earth within them. The decorative band is located above the level of the left handle  7  and the right handle  8 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  then shows the top of the present invention  1 , primarily the lid  11 . The lid  11  has a generally rectangular shape that covers the footprint of the present invention  1  and seals in trash bags placed into the present invention  1 . The lid  11  connects to the rear panel  4  of the container  1  with two first hinges  11   b . The first hinges  11   b  permit the lid  11  to open upwards and rear panel  4  wards for ready access to the contents of the container  1 . To the left of the front panel  2 , the left handle  7  extends outwards. The left handle  7  has a generally round base of a conical shape for supporting a flower pot and permitting a person to grasp. Opposite the left handle  7 , the right handle  8  extends outwards from the right side panel  6 . The right handle  8  also has a generally round base of a conical shape that supports a flower box and permits a person to grasp the present invention  1 . The left handle  7  and the right handle  8  are hollow and permit placement of a flower pot or earth within the left handle  7  and the right handle  8 . A homeowner may decorate the handles as the seasons inspire.  
         [0036]     Turning to the left side panel  5 ,  FIG. 5  shows the left handle  7  generally centered upon the left side panel  5 . The left handle  7  has a frusto-conical shape with the base proximate toward the lid  11  and the rounded point towards the bottom panel  9  and the left side panel  5 . The left side panel  5  has a generally trapezoidal shape with the higher base located towards the front panel  2  and the door  3 . The trapezoidal shape allows precipitation to drain off the present invention  1  towards the rear panel  4  and away from those opening the container  1 . The lid  11  extends from the higher front panel  2  towards the rear panel  4 . The second hinges  11   a  connect the door  3  to the lid  11  at the front panel  2  and the first hinges  11   b  connect the lid  11  to the rear panel  4  of the invention. The decorative band continues on the left side panel  5  as it encircles the invention. The decorative band has a constant bottom elevation around the invention. Beneath the left side panel  5 , the bottom has two moveable wheels  10   b  upon brackets, as in a Simpson wheel. The wheels  10   b  proximate to the left side panel  5  turn in the direction of movement of the container  1 .  
         [0037]     Turning to the right side panel  6 ,  FIG. 6  shows nearly the reverse of  FIG. 5 . The right handle  8  is generally centered upon the right side panel  6  and has a frusto-conical shape with the base proximate toward the lid  11  and the rounded point towards the bottom panel  9  and the right side panel  6 , symmetric to the left side panel  5 . The right side panel  6  has a generally trapezoidal shape with the lower base located towards the rear panel  4  and away from the door  3 . The trapezoidal shape allows precipitation to drain off the present invention  1  towards the rear panel  4  and away from people opening the container  1 . The second hinges  11   a  connect the door  3  to the lid  11  at the front panel  2  and the first hinges  11   b  connect the lid  11  to the rear panel  4  of the invention. The decorative band continues on the right side panel  6  as it encircles the invention at a constant bottom elevation. Beneath the right side panel  6 , the bottom has two wheels  10   a  upon brackets. Alternatively, the wheels  10   a  can be upon an axle. The wheels  10   a  proximate to the right side panel  6  are generally fixed in position.  
         [0038]     Then  FIG. 7  shows the rear panel  4  of the present invention  1 . The rear panel  4  has the lowest elevation and a generally rectangular shape. The rear panel  4  has one or more first hinges  11   b , two in the preferred embodiment, to connect the lid  11 . The first hinges  11   b  are located upon the top edge of the rear panel  4 . Beneath the rear panel  4 , the container  1  has a loop  12  generally located towards the front panel  2 . The loop  12  provides an anchoring point for the container  1  using either a stake or rope. Away from the loop  12  towards the left side panel  5  of the invention, the bottom has a moveable wheel. As before, the moveable wheels  10   b  are Simpson type, turning in the direction of movement thus steering the container  1 . Opposite the moveable wheels  10   b , the preferred embodiment has wheels  10   a  generally fixed with the plane of the wheels  10   a  located parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container  1 . Upwards from the bottom on the left side panel  5 , the container  1  has the left handle  7  that supports flower pots or earth. On the opposite right side panel  6 , the container  1  has the right handle  8  symmetric to the left handle  7  and that supports flower pots or other decoration.  
         [0039]     Eventually, trash pick up day arrives and  FIG. 8  shows the container  1  with the lid  11  fully opened. Viewing the front panel  2  of the container  1 , a person grasps the pull  13  and moves the door  3  slightly forward and the lid  11  upward. Raising the lid  11  also rotates the lid  11  towards the rear panel  4  of the container  1 . In rotating the lid  11 , the person also pushes the door  3  towards the lid  11 . The door  3  folds upon the underside of the lid  11  via the second hinges  11   a  and the lid  11  opens coplanar with the rear panel  4  of the container  1  via the first hinges  11   b . With the door  3  folded upon the lid  11  and the lid  11  open, a garbage man reaches into the container  1  to remove bags of trash. The door  3  folded upon the lid  11  provides full access to the interior of the container  1 .  
         [0040]     Viewing the container  1  with the lid  11  open, the bottom appears in  FIG. 9 . The empty container  1  shows a bottom having a plurality of holes  14   a . The holes  14   a  penetrate through the thickness of the bottom. The holes  14   a  permit drainage of fluids and ventilation of odors. Above the holes  14   a , a mesh or grid  14  raises the bags of trash above the holes  14   a  to ease drainage and ventilation. In the preferred embodiment the grid  14  is a plastic material, resistant to corrosion.  
         [0041]     Beneath the front panel  2 , the present invention  1  has a bottom shown in  FIG. 10 . The bottom is perpendicular to the front panel  2 , door  3 , left side panel  5 , and right side panel  6  and opposite the lid  11 . The bottom has a loop  12  generally centered and towards the front panel  2 . The loop  12  provides a location for anchoring the present invention  1  against wind and theft. In the preferred embodiment, the loop  12  is steel and secures to a stake or rope. Towards the right side panel  6 , the bottom has two wheels  10   a  located within the footprint of the present invention  1 . The wheels  10   a  are generally mutually parallel and supported upon brackets. Towards the left side panel  5 , the bottom has two moveable wheels  10   b  located within the footprint of the present invention  1 . The brackets of the moveable wheels  10   b  permit rotation about an axis parallel to the diameter of the moveable wheels  10   b . The moveable wheels  10   b  allow a resident to steer the present invention  1  during motion.  
         [0042]     From the aforementioned description, a temporary trash container has been described. The temporary trash container is uniquely capable of holding bags of trash concealed yet permitting ready removal of the bags when required. The temporary trash container also permits a homeowner to place flower pots within the left handle and the right handle and to decorate the lid as the seasons may inspire. The temporary trash container and its various components may be manufactured from many materials including but not limited to steel, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their alloys, polymers, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, and composites.  
         [0043]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.