Patent Publication Number: US-2012037637-A1

Title: Dispensing devices, systems, and methods thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/306,390, Feb. 19, 2010, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to dispensing devices, systems, and methods that can be used to allow a bag or other internal receptacle to be laterally removed and/or removed without being required to be lifted solely vertically. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In exemplary embodiments, a dispenser system, such as a trash dispenser system, can comprise a sidewall(s) extending a vertical length from a base. The trash dispenser system can also comprise a lid(s) that can substantially cover a first opening(s) and the first opening(s) can be located substantially near the top of the sidewall(s), wherein displacing the lid(s) can expose the first opening(s). Further, the trash dispenser system can also comprise a gate(s) that can substantially cover a second opening(s), the second opening(s) can be located along at least some region of the vertical length of the sidewall(s), wherein displacing the gate(s) can expose the second opening(s). Further, the first opening(s) and/or the second opening(s) can receive a receptacle, such as a trash bag, displacing the lid(s) can allow receipt of rubbish or other materials via the first opening(s), and/or displacing the gate(s) can allow substantially lateral removal of trash bags from the trash dispenser. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the gate can further comprise door(s) coupled to the sidewall(s) by hinge(s). Further, the gate can be a saloon style gate. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the cross-section of the trash dispenser can be square, rectangular, oval, and/or round. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the gate(s) can substantially replaces (i) a region of the sidewall of the trash dispenser and/or (ii) the sidewall of the trash dispenser. In exemplary embodiments, the substantially lateral removal of trash bags from the trash dispenser can allow removal of trash bags from the trash dispenser, for example, at an offset angle from the sidewall(s) and/or the base of the trash dispenser. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the lid(s) can be coupled to the sidewall(s) and/or removable from the sidewall(s). Further, the lid(s) can be coupled to the sidewall(s) by a hinge(s). 
     In exemplary embodiments, the lid(s) can be further comprise displaceable opening(s). Further, the displaceable opening(s) can be coupled to the lid(s) and/or the sidewall(s) by a hinge(s). 
     In exemplary embodiments, the trash dispenser can further comprise a force input(s), wherein displacing the lid(s), gate(s), and/or displaceable opening(s) can be activated by the force input(s). In some instances, the force input can be a lever, a foot pedal, and/or a button. Also, in some instances, the force input can be a motor. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the trash dispenser can further comprise a sensor(s); wherein the motor can be activated in response to the sensor. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the trash dispenser can further comprise a trash bag retaining region and/or trash bag attachment fixture. In some instances, the trash bag attachment fixture can further comprise hook(s) and loop(s), hook(s), clasp(s), adhesive(s), and/or rod(s). In some instances, the trash bag retaining region can retain the trash bag by, for example, wrapping a portion of the trash bag over a portion of the trash dispenser. Also, in some instances, the trash bag retaining region can retain the trash bag by, for example, wrapping a portion of the trash bag over a periphery of first opening(s). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following description of the disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A-2C  illustratively depict exemplary trash dispensers including a gate and lid that can open and close, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  illustratively depict a top, front perspective view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate closed and lid closed, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  illustratively depict a front view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate closed and lid closed, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  illustratively depict a rear view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate closed and lid closed, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  illustratively depict a side view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate closed and lid closed, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustratively depict an opposite side view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate closed and lid closed, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  illustratively depict a top view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate closed and lid closed, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  illustratively depict a bottom view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate closed and lid closed, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 10A-10D  illustratively depict a top, front perspective view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate closed and lid open, for example, exemplifying trash being placed in a trash bag housed in exemplary trash dispensers, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 11A-11D  illustratively depict a top, front perspective view of exemplary trash dispensers with the gate open and lid open, for example, exemplifying how trash bag can be removed and/or replaced from exemplary trash dispensers, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to devices, systems and methods for storing and dispensing a trash bag from the side and/or top of a trash dispenser. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2C , in exemplary embodiments, a trash dispenser  100  can include an at least one sidewall  101  extending vertically from a base  103  as well as include a first opening  102  that can be located substantially at the top of trash dispenser  100  and/or second opening  104  that can be located on an at least region of at least one sidewall  101  of trash dispenser  100 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, first opening  102  can be for receiving and/or removing rubbish and/or a trash bag  110  from trash dispenser  100 . Second opening  104  can be for removing trash bag  110  from trash dispenser  100  and/or receiving trash bag  110  into trash dispenser  100 . Further, trash dispenser  100  can include an at least one gate  106  that can substantially block second opening  104  and/or trash dispenser  100  can include an at least one lid  108  that can substantially cover first opening  102 . 
     Further, as discussed below, trash dispenser  100  can include and/or be affiliated with at least one door  112 , at least one displaceable opening  118 , at least one hinge  120 , at least one trash bag retaining region  121 , at least one trash bag attachment fixture (not shown) and/or a force input, for example, a foot pedal  122 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, referring to  FIGS. 3A-9B , trash dispenser  100  can have both lid  108  and gate  106  in a closed position. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the overall shape and trash dispenser  100  can be of aesthetic importance. For example, the aesthetics of trash dispenser  100  can be important as it may be located in the kitchen of a house, business environment, or other location where aesthetics may be important. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the cross-section of the trash dispenser can be any reasonable shape such as, but not limited to square, rectangular, polygonal, round, oval, any geometric shape, any further combination and/or separation thereof, and/or any other shape. For example, the at least one sidewall  101  extending vertically from a base  103  can create a body having a cross-section that can be any reasonable shape such as, but not limited to square, rectangular, polygonal, round, oval, any geometric shape, anthropomorphic shape, animal shape, fanciful shape, any further combination and/or separation thereof, and/or any other shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10D , in exemplary embodiments, lid  108  can be displaced thereby opening the top region of trash dispenser  100  and/or exposing first opening  102  such that trash bag  110  is accessible. For example, referring to  FIG. 10C-10D , with the top region of trash dispenser  100  opened a user can place rubbish into trash bag  110 . When finished placing rubbish in trash bag  110 , lid  108  can be displaced again thereby closing the dispenser such that trash bag  110  is no longer exposed. As this process is repeated trash bag  110  can become substantially full and/or may be heavy. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11D , in exemplary embodiments, gate  106 , located on at least some region of the sidewall of trash dispenser  100 , can be displaced thereby opening the side region of trash dispenser  100  and/or exposing second opening  104  such that trash bag  110  can be accessible. Further, in exemplary embodiments, both gate  106  and lid  108  can be displaced such that trash dispenser  100  can be substantially opened and/or allowing trash bag  110  to be accessible. In exemplary embodiments, with both the top region and/or first opening  102  of trash dispenser  100  substantially opened as well as the side region and/or second opening  104  of trash dispenser  100  substantially opened, trash bag  110  can be substantially easier to access and/or substantially easier to remove from trash dispenser  100 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, with both the side and top of trash dispenser  100  opened, trash bag  110  can be removed from trash dispenser  100  with substantially greater ease because, for example, a user can remove trash bag  110  from trash dispenser  100  substantially laterally at an offset angle from sidewall  101  and/or base  103  of trash dispenser  100  and/or not be restricted to lifting trash bag  110  solely vertically. For example, referring to  FIGS. 11C-11D , trash bag  110  can removed from trash dispenser  100  in a substantially lateral technique. That is, a user may not be required to lift trash bag  110  solely vertically, for example, at a substantially parallel angle to the sidewall of the dispenser and/or substantially perpendicular angle to base  103  of trash dispenser  100 . Rather, in exemplary embodiments, a user can remove trash bag  110  from trash dispenser  100  substantially laterally, for example, at an offset angle from sidewall  101  and/or base  103  of trash dispenser  100  and/or not be restricted to lifting trash bag  110  solely vertically. 
     In exemplary embodiments, gate  106  can include any reasonable movable barrier allowing access to trash bag  110  from at least one side of trash dispenser  100  such as, but not limited to a hinged door, a plurality of hinged doors, a sliding door, a plurality of sliding doors, a rotating door, and a plurality of rotating doors, to name a few. Further, the hinge can be located on any reasonable location such as, but not limited to, a single side of a sidewall, more than one side of a sidewall, and/or any other reasonable location for locating at least one hinge. For example, gate  106  can include a plurality of doors  112  extending at least partially along one side of trash dispenser  100  such that doors  112  can pivot exposing and/or providing access to trash bag  110 . For example, gate  106  can include a plurality of saloon style doors  112  extending along one side of trash dispenser  100  that can pivot exposing and/or providing access to trash bag  110 . 
     It will be understood that gate  106  can include any reasonable hinge, guide, and/or guide rail. Further, in exemplary embodiments, gate  106  can replace at least one sidewall of trash dispenser  100 , all of the sidewall(s) of trash dispenser  100 , and/or a region of at least one sidewall of trash dispenser  100 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, lid  108  can include any reasonable cap capable of substantially covering and/or sealing first opening  102  of trash dispenser  100  and/or lid  108  can be coupled to and/or be able to separate from trash dispenser  100 . For example, lid  108  can couple to and/or be able to separate from at least one sidewall  101  of trash dispenser  100  and/or any other component of trash dispenser  100 . Further, lid  108  can be coupled to trash dispenser  100  such that lid  108  can act as a movable barrier that can allow access to trash bag  110  from the top of trash dispenser  100 . For example, lid  108  can be coupled to the trash dispenser  100  by any number of hinges  120 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, lid  108  can further include a displaceable opening  118  such that, for example, lid  108  can be coupled to trash dispenser  100  and/or displaceable opening  118  in lid  108  can provide access to trash bag  110 . For example, displaceable opening  118  in lid  108  can be utilized to access trash bag  110  to dispose of rubbish. For another example, to remove trash bag  110 , lid  108  may be moved and/or displaced in conjunction with gate  106  while displaceable opening  118  may only be used to access trash bag  110  to dispose of rubbish. In exemplary embodiments, lid  108  need not include a displaceable opening  118 , such that access to the trash bag  110  can be directly accessed through lid  108 . 
     Movement and/or displacement of gate  106 , lid  108 , displaceable opening  118 , and/or doors  112  can be activated by any reasonable technique and/or force input, such as, but not limited to, a user provided force, a force from a motor or any other electro-mechanical device, and/or any other reasonable source capable of providing force to drive movement. For example, a user can provide force via a lever, a foot pedal, a button, or any other reasonable technique for a user to apply force. 
     In exemplary embodiments, force can be applied by a motor or any other electromechanical device in response to a sensor and/or in response to a user input. The sensor can be any reasonable sensor, such as, but not limited to a motion sensor, heat sensor, and/or moisture sensor. The user input can be any reasonable user input such as, but not limited to interaction with a button, sensor, screen, and/or pedal. 
     For ease, at times, gate  106 , lid  108 , displaceable opening  118 , and/or doors  112  are described as being activated and/or opened by a user input applying a force on pedal  122 . This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation. 
     In exemplary embodiments, trash dispenser  100  can be constructed for use with any standard trash bag  100  and/or trash dispenser  100  can be constructed for use with a trash bag  100  designed specifically for use with trash dispenser  100 . 
     In some instances, trash bag  110  can be releasably coupled to trash dispenser  100  by wrapping a portion of the trash bag over the periphery a trash bag retaining region  121  that can be separate from trash dispenser  100  and/or can be affiliated with, for example, first opening  102 , gate(s)  106 , door(s)  112 , sidewall  101 , any combination or separation thereof, and/or by being wrapped about any element affiliated with trash dispenser  100 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, trash dispenser  100  can include a trash bag attachment fixture (not shown) such as, but not limited to, hooks, clasps, adhesive, a rod, and/or any other mechanism that can be releasably couple trash bag  110 . By way of example, in exemplary embodiments, trash bag  110  can be releasably coupled to trash bag attachment fixture (not shown) of trash dispenser  100  by, for example, placing trash bag  110  on a rod, or by any other reasonable coupling technique. 
     It will be understood that trash bag  110  can be coupled to a region of trash dispenser  100 , coupled to trash bag retaining region  121 , coupled to at least one trash bag attachment fixture, and/or trash bag  110  can be coupled by any other reasonable technique for releasably coupling trash bag  110  to trash dispenser  100 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, trash bag  110  can be removed and/or received via first opening  102  and/or second opening  104 . For example, trash bag  110  can be placed into trash dispenser  100  through first opening  102  and/or releasably coupled to trash dispenser  100 . As another example, trash bag  110  can be placed into trash dispenser  100  through second opening  104  and/or releasably coupled to trash dispenser  100 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, trash bag  110  can be removed and/or received via first opening  102 , second opening  104 , and/or the combination of first opening  102  and second opening  104 . For example, trash bag  110  can removed from trash dispenser  100  through first opening  102  and second opening  104  in combination such that trash bag  110  is substantially laterally removed from trash dispenser  100 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, rubbish can be placed into trash bag  110  located within trash dispenser  100  via first opening  102  and/or displaceable opening  118 . Further, trash bag  110  can be received from the top region of trash dispenser  100  through first opening  102 , from the side region of trash dispenser  100  through second opening  104 , and/or from a combination of the top region of trash dispenser  100  and side region of trash dispenser  100 . 
     Any of the elements of trash dispenser  100  such as, but not limited to, sidewall(s)  101 , base  103 , first opening  102 , second opening  104 , gate(s)  106 , lid(s)  108 , door(s)  112 , displaceable opening(s)  118 , hinge(s)  120 , force input(s), sensor(s), pedal(s)  122 , trash bag retaining region  121 , trash bag attachment fixture, and/or any other elements of trash dispenser  100  can be made from the same or different materials. Further, any of the elements of trash dispenser  100  such as, but not limited to, sidewall(s)  101 , base  103 , first opening  102 , second opening  104 , gate(s)  106 , lid(s)  108 , door(s)  112 , displaceable opening(s)  118 , hinge(s)  120 , force input(s), sensor(s), pedal(s)  122 , trash bag retaining region  121 , trash bag attachment fixture, and/or any other elements of trash dispenser  100  can be made from any reasonable material, such as, but not limited to, plastics, metals, or any other combination thereof. 
     It will be understood that any of the elements of trash dispenser  100  such as, but not limited to, sidewall(s)  101 , base  103 , first opening  102 , second opening  104 , gate(s)  106 , lid(s)  108 , door(s)  112 , displaceable opening(s)  118 , hinge(s)  120 , force input(s), sensor(s), pedal(s)  122 , trash bag retaining region  121 , trash bag attachment fixture, and/or any other elements of trash dispenser  100  can be further combined and/or separated without deviating from the scope of the invention. 
     Now that exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be used for other forms of containers and/or dispensers such as, but not limited to, laundry hampers. Similarly, receptacles other than trash bags could likewise be used such as other forms of bags, baskets or receptacles. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly and limited only by the appended claims, and not by the foregoing specification.