Abstract:
The present trash receptacle (and method for using the same) reduces the suction/vacuum effect in the bottom portion of the receptacle as trash bags or polyliners are removed therefrom. The receptacle includes a vent enabling fluid communication from a first chamber section (at the bottom of the receptacle) to a second chamber section which rests above the first chamber section.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/765,160 (filed Feb. 6, 2006) and 60/848,992 (filed Oct. 4, 2006), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The invention relates to a receptacle with a vent and, more particularly, to a receptacle for trash having a vent that provides fluid communication with a bottom area of the receptacle.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Receptacles or containers for refuse have a variety of useful applications and are available in a number of different sizes. For example, large receptacles (e.g., 44 or 55 gallon receptacles) are commonly used for disposal of trash, grass, leaves, and other materials. Liners are often used in combination with the receptacles to simplify emptying of the receptacles and disposal/transportation of the filled liner.  
         [0004]     Many liners are composed of an elastic or deformable material (e.g., polyliner or trash bags) that will conform to the shape of the receptacle. This can cause the liner to conform to the sides of the receptacle during removal, thereby forming a seal and preventing air from passing through to the bottom portion of the receptacle. This seal can create a vacuum or suction effect in the bottom portion of the receptacle as the liner is removed. Thus, as an example, when removing a liner containing dense materials from a larger receptacle, the vacuum may add significantly to the strain suffered by the user.  
         [0005]     It is desirable to ventilate the bottom portion of the receptacle so that air can flow into the bottom portion during removal of the liner and prevent or release a vacuum. There is a need to provide an economical way of reducing or minimizing the force required to fully remove the liner from the receptacle without sacrificing the utility or structural integrity of the receptacle.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     In one exemplary embodiment, a receptacle includes a first chamber section configured to receive items. The first chamber section has a first side wall and a bottom wall. A second chamber section is located above the first chamber section. The second chamber section has a, second side wall and an internal width that is wider than an internal width of the first chamber section. A vent provides fluid communication between the second chamber section and a bottom area of the first chamber section.  
         [0007]     In another exemplary embodiment, a receptacle configured to receive a liner includes a bottom wall and a first chamber section at least partially defined by the bottom wall and a side wall. A second chamber section is superjacent the first chamber section and at least partially defined by the side wall and a rim. A vent is configured to reduce negative pressure in the first chamber section as the liner is filled and/or removed from the receptacle. The second chamber section has a wider internal width than an internal width of the first chamber section.  
         [0008]     In another exemplary embodiment a method of using a receptacle with a liner includes: pulling the liner from a first chamber section of the receptacle that is configured to receive items, the first chamber section having a bottom wall and a first side wall with a vent; and pulling the liner from a second chamber section of the receptacle that is located above the first chamber section. The second chamber section has a second side wall and an internal width that is wider than an internal width of the first chamber section. The liner is pulled from the first chamber section such that the vent provides fluid communication between the second chamber and a bottom area of the first chamber section.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain principles of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle according to the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the receptacle of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the receptacle of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the receptacle of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is atop view of the receptacle of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the receptacle of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the receptacle of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the receptacle of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the receptacle of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the receptacle of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the receptacle of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle taken from line A-A in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is cross-sectional view of the receptacle taken from line B-B in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. An effort has been made to use the same or like reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. With reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-14 , the construction and use of a receptacle is described herein.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a receptacle  10  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the receptacle includes a first chamber section  12 , a second chamber section  14 , and a vent  22 . The receptacle  10  can be configured to receive items (e.g., a liner  24 , another receptacle or other members).  
         [0026]     The first chamber section  12  is defined by a side wall  16  and a bottom wall  18  (also shown in  FIGS. 2-6 ). The side wall  16  can be formed, for example, with a plurality of side wall portions  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c , and  16   d . The first chamber section  12  has a bottom area  13 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the bottom area  13  is a location at which a vacuum may form in the absence of the vent  22 .  
         [0027]     The second chamber section  14  is located above (or superjacent) the first chamber section  12 . The second chamber section  14  is defined by side wall  20 . The side wall  20  can be formed, for example, of a plurality of side wall portions  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , and  20   d  as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 .  
         [0028]     The vent  22  provides fluid communication between the second chamber section and the bottom area  13  of the first chamber section  12 . The vent  22  inhibits the build-up of a vacuum and thus reduces negative pressure in the bottom portion  13  of the first chamber section  12  as the liner  24  is removed from the receptacle  10 .  
         [0029]     The vent  22  can be formed, for example, by a series of outward protrusions  30  at each of the four corners of the receptacle  10 , i.e., at the locations where the side wall portions  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c , and  16   d  meet. The outward protrusions  30  preferably run vertically up the side of the receptacle  10 . The outward protrusions  30  form airways or channels that enable air to flow from the second chamber section  14  to the first chamber section  12 . Outward protrusions  30  are designed to have a relatively small volume as compared to the first and second chamber sections  12 ,  14 . Specifically, the outward protrusions  30  are designed to have a depth and width that does not easily allow a filled liner (e.g.,  24 ) to seep into the inner cavity of the protrusions and block the vents as discussed hereinbelow. Though the vent  22  is preferably formed by outward protrusions  30 , it is possible for the vent  22  to be formed by inward protrusions (not shown).  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, the outward protrusions  30  preferably have a variable internal width. For example, the internal width of the protrusion  30  at the bottom of the receptacle  10  can be smaller than the internal width at the top of the receptacle. In this way, the vent  22  is able to provide air to the bottom portion  13  of the receptacle  10  while allowing the receptacle  10  to be formed with cost effective tooling.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 13 a  cross-sectional view of the receptacle  10  taken from line A-A in  FIG. 3  is shown. The protrusions  30  preferably have a width that is sufficient to prevent the liner  24  from filling the air passage  35  defined by the protrusions. For example, in a preferred embodiment conforming substantially to the dimensions of a conventional SLIM JIM container (about 23 inches long, about 11 inches wide, and about 30 inches high), the internal width of the air passage tapers from about 1 to 2 inches (more preferably about 1.5 inches) at the bottom to about 2.5 to 3.5 inches (more preferably about 2.9 inches) at the top, and its depth is about 0.25 to about 0.75 inches (more preferably about 0.5 inches). As shown in  FIG. 14 , air in the bottom area  13  of the receptacle is able to pass the liner  24  when the liner  24  is being removed from the receptacle.  
         [0032]     Outward protrusions  30  may be formed or included in the receptacle  10  utilizing a number of manufacturing methods. For example, the mold for the present receptacle  10  can include indentations for the outward protrusions  30 . In this way, the receptacle  10  with vents  22  can be manufactured without a significant increase in tooling costs or material costs.  
         [0033]     Another exemplary embodiment of a receptacle  110  according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 7-12 . Like the previously described embodiment, this receptacle  110  includes a first chamber section  112  defined by a side wall  116  and a bottom wall  118 , a second chamber section  114  defined by a side wall  120 , and a vent  122  that reduces negative pressure in a bottom portion  113  (as shown in  FIG. 14 ) of the first chamber section  112  as a liner  124  is removed. As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , side wall  116  is formed with side wall portions  116   a ,  116   b ,  116   c  and  116   d . Side wall  120  is formed with side wall  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c , and  120   d . The vent  122  can be formed by a plurality of outward protrusions  130 . The protrusions  130  preferably have a width that is sufficient to prevent the liner  124  from filling the air passage  135  defined by the protrusions. For example, in a preferred embodiment conforming substantially to the dimensions of a conventional  44  gallon BRUTE container (about 24 inches in diameter at the top and about 31 inches high), the internal width of the air passage tapers from about 1 to 1.5 inches (more preferably about 1.2 inches) at the bottom to about 2 to 3 inches (more preferably about 2.5 inches) at the top, and its depth is about 0.3 to about 0.9 inches (more preferably about 0.66 inches). Preferably the structures in the receptacle  110  are configured to perform in a manner like those described for receptacle  10 . In addition, the bottom wall  118  can include ribs  142 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , that increase the spacing between liner  124  and the bottom wall  118  of the receptacle  110 , and thereby enhance fluid flow.  
         [0034]     In each embodiment, a rim  32 ,  132  is provided at the top of the receptacle  10 ,  110 . Rim  32 ,  132  includes a handle portion  38 ,  138  in which the receptacle  10 ,  110  may be hand-carried.  
         [0035]     Cinching mechanisms  34 ,  134  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 10 ) can be incorporated into the receptacle  10 ,  110 . The cinching mechanism  34 ,  134  can include slots  36 ,  136  on the handle portion  38 ,  183 . The slots  36 ,  136  are included to bunch the liner  24 ,  124  (as shown in  FIGS. 1, 7  and  13 - 14 ) therein and hold it in place. Four slots  36 ,  136  are included in the handle portion  38 ,  138  providing four anchors, one or more of which can be used to fixedly locate the liner  24 ,  124  with respect to the receptacle  10 ,  110 . Apertures  40  also may be provided. The cinching mechanism is described in more detail in concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled Receptacle With Cinch (Attorney Docket No. 086554-1322), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0036]     The shape of the receptacle  10 ,  110  can be configured based on the desired application. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and  13 - 14 , the receptacle  10  preferably has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the first and second chamber sections  12 ,  14  preferably have substantially rectangular cross sectional shapes. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-12 , the receptacle  110  preferably has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the first and second chamber sections  112 ,  114  preferably have substantially circular cross sectional shapes.  
         [0037]     In both embodiments, the second chamber section  14 ,  114  preferably has a greater width than the first chamber section  12 ,  112 , which enhances rigidity of the receptacle  10 ,  10  and permits easier removal of the liner  24  as it nears the top of the receptacle  10 ,  110 . In particular, the first chamber section  12 ,  112  has an internal width w 1 , w 3  and the second chamber section  14 ,  114  has an internal width w 2 , w 4 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 11 . Preferably the internal width w 2 , w 4  of the second chamber section  14 ,  114  is wider than the internal width w 1 , w 3  of the first chamber section  12 ,  112 . Though the width w 1 , w 3  of the first chamber section  12 ,  112  may increase from the bottom wall  18 ,  118  to the second chamber section  14 ,  114 , still the width of the first chamber section  12 ,  112  measured from any point is preferably smaller than the width of the second chamber section  14 ,  114  measured from any point.  
         [0038]     The receptacle  10 ,  110  is preferably configured to fit at least 50% of a substantially similarly shaped receptacle in a vertical direction in a nesting relationship. Configuring the receptacle to be able to nest in this fashion provides distinct advantages, such as reduced space needed for shipping.  
         [0039]     The receptacle  10 ,  110  may be composed of any acceptable material, including those known within the art. For example, the receptacle may be composed of a polymer. The receptacle  10 ,  110  can be formed by suitable processes, such as injection molding, which are known in the art.  
         [0040]     The liner  24 ,  124  may be composed of any number of materials including an elastic material (e.g., a polymer). The liner  24 ,  124  preferably is configured to substantially conform to the shape of the receptacle  10 ,  110 .  
         [0041]     In another exemplary embodiment a method of using a receptacle with a liner is provided (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 ). The steps of the method include: pulling the liner  24 ,  124  from a first chamber section  12 ,  112  of the receptacle  10 ,  110  that is configured to receive items, the first chamber section having a bottom wall  18 ,  118  and a first side wall  16 ,  116  with a vent  22 ,  122 ; and pulling the liner from a second chamber section  14 ,  114  of the receptacle that is located above the first chamber section. The second chamber section  14 ,  114  has a second side wall  20 ,  120  and an internal width (w 2 , w 4 ) that is wider than an internal width of the first chamber section (w 1 , w 3 ). The liner  24 ,  124  is pulled from the first chamber section  12 ,  112  such that the vent  22 ,  122  provides fluid communication between the second chamber section  14 ,  114  and a bottom area of the first chamber section  12 ,  112 . The liner  24 ,  124  may be pulled from the receptacle  10 ,  110  by bunching the liner together at the top of the liner or pulling on a number of corners of the liner together and pulling upward.  
         [0042]     Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present receptacles without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the illustrated embodiments show a liner fitting within a receptacle, another embodiment includes boxes having dense materials, e.g., books, that are packaged in a confined space. As a further example, the receptacle may be useful in any situation in which an object or objects in the receptacle either themselves essentially form a seal with the side wall of the receptacle or a container holding the object or objects forms such a seal, such that in the absence of the vents ventilation could not reach the bottom of the receptacle. Thus, it is intended that the present receptacle cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.