Abstract:
A garbage can liner system for use in a single compartment of a refuse container where the container volume is divided into subsections by placing and attaching a refuse receptacle divider system across the top of the container and by securing two garbage bags inside the container by attaching the bags to the divider system and to opposing ends of the container as is normally done. The divider system is adjustable so as to accommodate various sized containers so a single divider system can be used serially in several different garbage cans.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to recycling, and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for facilitating recycling by dividing a single refuse container into subsections. 
     In the past, it is well known to have dedicated recycling bins for different types of recyclable materials, as well as having a single exterior container with multiple separate compartments therein. 
     Systems of separate containers, as well as single containers with multiple compartments, have enjoyed considerable success in the past. However, these systems have had several drawbacks. 
     When these systems of dedicated separate bins are used by a consumer, the result is often that each of the dedicated bins is smaller than a single bin that could hold all the material mixed together. Some consumers find a larger number of smaller refuse containers to be problematic in that they are easier to become accidentally dumped; for example by an accidental kick, etc. They may require multiple trips to the curb or other actions when the consumer is attempting to handle material from each of the containers. Single containers with multiple compartments are often fixed at predetermined and discrete configurations, and often, lining such compartments with garbage bags for easy cleanup is difficult. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and apparatuses for providing more and smaller volume receptacles for refuse. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide enhanced abilities to reduce inconvenience associated with recycling. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to include an apparatus for dividing a single refuse container into a system of multiple smaller containment zones. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to reduce unwanted numbers of stand-alone refuse containers. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide for increased ability to accommodate subdivision of refuse containers of various sizes. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to include an expanding beam member. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention to provide for an increased ability to reconfigure the size and number of smaller containment zones in a single stand-alone refuse container. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to allow for use of garbage bags to retain garbage in predetermined containment zones within a single refuse container. 
     It is yet another feature of the present invention to include garbage bag receiving voids, as well as garbage bag engaging and refuse container lip emulating upwardly protruding fingers. 
     It is yet another advantage to allow for secure, but also easily adjustable attachment of multiple garbage bags, defining multiple separate variable volume and distinct containment zones within a single refuse container. 
     The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for dividing a stand-alone refuse container into multiple smaller containment zones, which improvement is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “clutter-less” system in the sense that a substantial reduction in number of standalone refuse containers needed by a typical consumer is achieved with the present invention. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is a method and apparatus . . . . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an overhead perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the underside of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2  with a container being engaged from its outside. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2  with a container being engaged from its inside. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the system of the present invention, including three (3) refuse receptacle divider systems to divide a single compartment container into four (4) containment zones. 
         FIG. 9  is a close up view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a refuse receptacle divider system  100  which is generally used to provide for the ability to support multiple bags within a single refuse container, so as to effectively convert a single refuse container from being a support structure for a single bag to a support structure that is capable of supporting multiple bags, such as reused plastic grocery bags, garbage bags and/or other suitable bags. 
     Refuse receptacle divider system  100  is shown including a first gripping end  110  and a second gripping end  120  with disposed therebetween an adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130 . 
     First gripping end  110  may be attached to adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  and may include a first gripping end bag receiving insertion gap defining member  112 , which may be a portion of a larger member which may be made with various materials, or it may be an individual component. First gripping end bag receiving insertion gap  114  is shown located between opposing first gripping end bag receiving insertion gap defining members  112 . First gripping end bag gathering void  113  is located at the end of first gripping end bag receiving insertion gap  114  and is enlarged so as to allow for a larger portion of a garbage bag to be gathered therein. First gripping end bag receiving insertion gap defining member  112  would typically be located atop an upper peripheral lip of a refuse container and extending outwardly from said upper peripheral lip of a refuse container. First gripping end refuse container engaging foot  115  is configured to drop below the first gripping end bag receiving insertion gap defining member  112  and include first gripping end refuse container engaging foot prongs  116  which are configured to extend beneath a lower peripheral lip of the refuse container. The terminal end of each of the first gripping end refuse container engaging foot prongs  116  is configured to extend inwardly of the outermost edge of the peripheral lip of the refuse container. First gripping end  110  is also shown with a first gripping end bag engaging and refuse container lip emulating upwardly protruding finger  117  which is used to help define a limit of an extent of an opening of one of the multiple garbage bags. Second gripping end  120  may preferably be identical to first gripping end  110  and may include the following similar structures: second gripping end bag receiving insertion gap defining member  122 , second gripping end bag gathering void  123 , second gripping end bag receiving insertion gap  124 , second gripping end refuse container engaging foot  125 , second gripping end bag engaging and refuse container lip and second gripping end refuse container engaging foot prongs  126  and emulating upwardly protruding finger  127 . 
     The refuse receptacle divider system  100  can be made with many different materials, such as plastic, metal, wood, recycled materials, composites, cardboard and other suitable materials and combinations thereof. The system may be made in many different ways. For example adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  is shown as having 3 pieces. If may be a single piece or more than 3 pieces depending upon the amount of adjustability in length is desired. 
     In any of these variations it is preferred to have the ability to grasp the first gripping end and adjust its separation from the second gripping end. Ideally, the adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  can be easily expanded (made longer) but may require some releasing action to allow the beam to be shortened. Various mechanisms such as detents, spring loaded or resilient buttons, ridges etc. could be used. The particular adjustment structure used will depend upon the particular application. For example, if the objects placed in the bags are heavy, then the adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  could resemble a tent pole with nested tubes, with one with a spring loaded button and the other with a series of holes. If the application is very light, then plastic couplers similar to zip-ties (either single use or releasable multi-use ties) could be used. Any suitable way of adjusting the length of the adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  is intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a side view of the refuse receptacle divider system  100  of  FIG. 1 . First gripping end bag engaging and refuse container lip emulating upwardly protruding finger  117  and second gripping end bag engaging and refuse container lip emulating upwardly protruding finger  127  are more easily seen in  FIG. 2 . Also the fact that first gripping end refuse container engaging foot prongs  116  are lower than adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  is more easily seen. Additionally, riser  210  with outwardly pushing surface  212  and riser  220  with pushing surface  222 , are shown. It should be understood that the adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  can be used to pull the first gripping end  110  and second gripping end  120  together on the outside of a refuse container as discussed above, or it can be used to push the first gripping end  110  and second gripping end  120  apart from inside the refuse container. The ridges  232  on innermost adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  132  may be used so that they are sized smaller than the opening  231  in middle adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  134  and designed to be sufficiently rigid to maintain a pushing or pulling force sufficient to hold the adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  in place with respect to a refuse container, but may be sufficiently resilient so as to allow the length of adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  to be adjusted by providing more force to pull or push past one of the ridges. Various length other adjusting mechanisms are contemplated. Also shown is outermost adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  136 , and inwardly pushing surfaces  214 ,  224 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , there are shown various views of the refuse receptacle divider system  100  of the present invention and of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a view of the refuse receptacle divider system  100  disposed across the top of a refuse container  500  and configured to apply an inward pressure on opposing external sides of the refuse container. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a view of the refuse receptacle divider system  100  disposed across the top of a refuse container and configured to apply an outward pressure on opposing internal sides of the refuse container. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a refuse container with two refuse receptacle utility maximization systems  100  coupled thereto, together with another refuse receptacle divider system  100  disposed between and coupled to the other two refuse receptacle divider systems  100 , so as together to support four (4) bags  804 ,  805 ,  806  and  808  creating four (4) separate and distinct garbage bag lined containment zones within the single refuse container. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an alternate embodiment of the present invention which includes an end  920  with an alternate second gripping end bag receiving insertion gap defining member  922  with easy bag insertion void  924 . 
     In operation, the system of  FIG. 8  could function as follows: 
     A container with a single compartment is provided; a first refuse receptacle divider system  100  is added between opposing sides of the container. A second refuse receptacle divider system  100  is added between the same opposing sides of the container. A third refuse receptacle divider system  100  is positioned between the earlier two installed refuse receptacle divider systems  100 . The adjustable length refuse container spanning beam  130  of each system is adjusted to provide a solid structure. Garbage bags are added to each of the containment zones as follows. The garbage bag is inserted into the container in a containment zone. The bag is attached to the top edge of the container as is normally done with garbage bags. The bag is gathered in the hand near one first gripping end  110  and wrapped around first gripping end bag engaging and refuse container lip emulating upwardly protruding finger  117 , and then pulled through first gripping end bag receiving insertion gap  114  and gathered in first gripping end bag gathering void  113 . At the other end of the refuse receptacle divider system  100 , the bag is gathered and wrapped around second gripping end bag engaging and refuse container lip emulating upwardly protruding finger  127  pulled through second gripping end bag receiving insertion gap  124  and gathered at second gripping end bag gathering void  123 . In  FIG. 8 , the two bags in the two central containment zones are able to be supported by four (4) corners by coupling with the two (2) ends of the non-container touching refuse receptacle divider system  100  and with one end from each of the other refuse receptacle divider systems  100 . The volume of these containment zones is self adjusting in the sense that the volume of each of the four (4) containment zones could be nearly the volume of the entire container. The apportionment of the volume between the four (4) containment zones may be a function of how much is put in each bag and when. So if one bag is stuffed full, the contents of the bag will be located under the openings to the other containment zones. This provides much more flexibility than doe multiple cans or a single can with multiple fixed compartments. One additional feature of the present invention is the ability to adjust the amount of the bag that is available for containing refuse. When sorting recyclables is very important, often the best way to assure that unfamiliar users of the present system will use the correct containment zone for their particular recyclable waste, may be to provide at first a smaller volume of bags available to receive refuse. This will keep the refuse nearer the top of the container where the contents can be seen easier and thereby increasing the chances that like matter will be placed together in the proper containment zone. Then as the waste collection period progresses, the bags can be adjusted to allow for more volume as needed. The adjustment is very simple. The bags are detached from the first gripping end  110  and second gripping end  120  and more of the bags are moved into the container. The gathered portions of the bags will now be smaller and will be engaged with the first gripping end bag engaging and refuse container lip emulating upwardly protruding finger  117 , first gripping end bag receiving insertion gap  114 , and first gripping end bag gathering void  113  as done originally. 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, steps and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of the material advantages, the form herein described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.