Patent Publication Number: US-2023150762-A1

Title: Safety Pail

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/280,612, filed Nov. 17, 2021. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     In general, the present invention relates to the structure of garbage cans, trash pails and other trash receptacles. More particularly, the present invention relates to trash receptacles with side openings that make it easier to remove a full bag of trash from the trash receptacle. 
     2. Prior Art Description 
     Traditional trash receptacles are simple metal or plastic receptacles with an open top. The trash receptacle is often lined with a disposable trash bag. Once the trash bag is full, the trash bag is lifted out of the receptacle. This process requires lifting the full trash bag high enough to clear the top of the trash receptacle. The trash bag, depending on size and content, can be quite heavy. Lifting such a weight can be difficult for many people and can cause injury. In an attempt to reduce the effort needed to empty a full trash bag from a trash receptacle, doors have been added to the structure of the trash receptacle. The doors are located on the sides of the trash receptacle and provide easy access to the trash bag without having to lift the trash bag to any significant height. Such prior art trash receptacles are exemplified by U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0149647 to Geurink and U.S. Pat. No. 10,604,341 to Walker. 
     There are problems associated with trash receptacles that have attached doors. One problem is that the door opening is typically a little smaller than the interior of the trash receptacle. As is widely known, when a trash bag is filled with garbage, the trash bag stretches and conforms to the size of the trash receptacle. Furthermore, the full trash bag can have salient points and bulges that cause the full trash bag to press against the interior surfaces of the trash receptacle. This makes the full trash bag difficult to remove from the open top of a trash receptacle. This also can make the trash bag nearly impossible to remove through any opening, such as a side door opening, that is in any way smaller than the full trash bag. 
     Another problem associated with prior art trash receptacles that have access doors is that the doors need significant room to fully open. If the doors are not fully open, then the trash bags cannot be received. Often, the opening of the door on the trash receptacle doubles the size of the trash receptacle. Such prior art trash receptacles are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 9,944,460 to Hon and U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,880 to Nash. Other trash receptacles have front pivot doors that require the area in front of the trash receptacle be large and unoccupied. Such prior art trash receptacles are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 9,745,128 to Romano and U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,321 to Meshorer. In all cases, some area around the trash receptacle must be unoccupied or the trash receptacle must be pulled to an open area before it can be unloaded. This limits situations where such trash receptacles can be used. 
     A need therefore exists for an improved trash receptacle that can be unloaded from a side opening, but where there is no need to provide room for a swinging door. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a trash receptacle assembly that is made from two sections that can be selectively connected and/or separated. The first section has a base. An incomplete peripheral wall extends upwardly from the base. The incomplete peripheral wall has a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein a gap is defined between the first side edge and the second side edge. 
     Guide tracks are provided on the incomplete peripheral wall along at least part of the first side edge and the second side edge. 
     The second section of the trash receptacle assembly contains a peripheral wall segment that is shaped and sized to fill the gap in the incomplete peripheral wall of the first section. The second section is completely separate and distinct from the first section. The peripheral wall segment has edges that can selectively slide into the guide tracks on the first section. The edges are received and retained by the guide tracks therein retaining the peripheral wall segment in the gap of the incomplete peripheral wall and completing the trash receptacle assembly. 
     The trash receptacle assembly is lined with a trash bag. Once the trash bag is full, the peripheral wall segment of the second section can be completely removed from the gap and detached from the first section. This provided access to the trash bag without requiring a swinging door. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a first exemplary embodiment of trash receptacle assembly; 
         FIG.  2    shows an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a fragmented view of section line  3 - 3  in  FIG.  1   , showing the guide track interconnection between the two sections of the trash receptacle assembly; 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged fragmented view of the embodiment of  FIG.  2    to show interconnecting features; 
         FIG.  5    shows a second exemplary embodiment of a trash receptacle assembly; and 
         FIG.  6    shows an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  5   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Although the present invention can be embodied in many ways, only two exemplary embodiments are illustrated. The exemplary embodiments are being shown for the purposes of explanation and description. The exemplary embodiments are selected in order to set forth two of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered as limitations when interpreting the scope of the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , a safety pail system  10  is shown. The safety pail system  10  contains a receptacle assembly  12 . The receptacle assembly  12  has a bottom panel  14  that can be solid, perforated, or mesh. A peripheral wall  16  extends from the bottom panel  14  to an open top rim  18 . The peripheral wall  16  has a height H 1 . In the shown embodiment, the bottom panel  14  and the open top rim  18  are circular with the open top rim  18  having a larger diameter than does the bottom panel  14 . This causes the peripheral wall  16  to flare and follow a diverging conical shape. However, it will be understood that the bottom panel  14  and the open top rim  18  can have different sizes and shapes, wherein the peripheral wall  16  will follow different paths from the bottom panel  14  to the open top rim  18 . 
     The receptacle assembly  12  defines an open interior space  20  that is sized to receive a disposable trash bag  22 . The open interior space  20  is normally only accessible through the open top rim  18 . The open top rim  18  may contain a flared edge  24  to help receive and hold the disposable trash bag  22  open within the open interior space  20 . 
     The receptacle assembly  12  is an assembly of two sections. The two sections include a lower section  26  and an upper section  28 . The lower section  26  holds the bottom panel  14  of the safety pail system  10 . The lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12  retains a first wall segment  30  of the peripheral wall  16 . The first wall segment  30  has a height H 2 . Depending upon the style of the trash receptacle, the height H 2  of the first wall segment can be any height up to the height H 1  of the overall receptacle assembly  12 . However, for the shown style, the first wall segment  30  has a height H 2  that is preferably between seventy percent and ninety percent of the full height H 1  of the full peripheral wall  16 . The first wall segment  30  extends from a first edge  32  to a second edge  34 . Furthermore, the first wall segment  30  has a top edge  36 . The top edge  36  is contoured for a purpose that is later explained. 
     A short wall band  38  extends from the first edge  32  to the second edge  34  to provide structural stability. The short wall band  38  has an upper edge  39 . A gap  40  exists above the short wall band  38  that is defined on three sides by the first edge  32  of the first wall segment  30 , the upper edge  39  of the short wall band  38 , and the second edge  34  of the first wall segment  30 . The gap  40  is completely filled by the upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12  when the upper section  28  is assembled onto the lower section  26 . The first edge  32 , the second edge  34 , the top edge  36 , and the upper edge  39  all contain guide tracks  54  for a purpose that is later explained. 
     The bottom panel  14  rests at the bottom of the lower section  26 . The bottom panel  14  can be flat. However, in a preferred embodiment, the bottom panel  14  can incline away from the short wall band  38 . Furthermore, a trough  41  can be disposed in the bottom panel  14  near the short wall band  38 . One or more drain openings can be provided at the bottom of the trough  41 . The inclined bottom panel  14  serves two purposes. First, the inclination of the bottom surface tends to tilt the trash bag  22  toward the gap  40  when the trash bag  22  is full. Second, the inclined bottom panel  14  collects and channels any liquids that drip from the trash bag  22  to drain openings. 
     The upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12  holds the open top rim  18  of the safety pail system  10 . The upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12  retains a second wall segment  42  of the peripheral wall  16 . The second wall segment  42  has a height H 3 , which is preferably between seventy percent and ninety percent of the height H 1  of the full peripheral wall  16 . The second wall segment  42  extends from a third edge  44  to a fourth edge  46 . Furthermore, the second wall segment  42  has a bottom edge  48 . The bottom edge  48  is contoured for a purpose that is later explained. A second short wall band  50  extends from the third edge  44  to the fourth edge  46  to provide structural stability. The short wall band  50  has a lower edge  52 . The third edge  44 , the fourth edge  46 , the bottom edge  48  and the lower edge  52  are all shaped to be received by the guide tracks  54  on the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12 . 
     The upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12  and the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12  interconnect to form the overall safety pail system  10 . Referring to  FIG.  3    in conjunction with  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , it can be seen that the first edge  32 , the second edge  34 , the top edge  36  and the upper edge  39  of the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12  intermesh with the third edge  44 , the fourth edge  46 , the bottom edge  48  and the lower edge  52  of the upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12 . In the shown embodiment, the first edge  32 , the second edge  34 , the top edge  36  and the upper edge  39  of the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12  all contain guide tracks  54 . The third edge  44 , the fourth edge  46 , the bottom edge  48 , and the lower edge  52  of the upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12  are all tapered to be better received within the guide tracks  54 . Such a male/female configuration can be reversed, and it will be understood that the guide tracks  54  can be formed on the upper section  28  rather than on the illustrated lower section  26 . The guide tracks  54  can be generally U-shaped. However, in  FIG.  3   , the guide track  54  is shown to be generally Y-shaped. This helps the lower section  26  and the upper section  28  interconnect even if the two sections are not precisely aligned. 
     The upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12  interconnects with the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12  to form the overall safety pail system  10 . Referring to  FIG.  4   , in conjunction with  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , it will be understood that features  56  can be formed into the top edge  36  of the lower section  26  and the bottom edge  48  of the upper section  28  that prevent the upper section  28  and the lower section  26  from inadvertently separating. In the illustrated embodiment, the features  56  include corresponding peaks  58  and troughs  60  that can be formed in both the top edge  36  of the lower section  26  and the bottom edge  48  of the upper section  28 . The peaks  58  and troughs  60  intermesh to prevent any inadvertent lateral separation between the upper section  28  and the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12 . Since the guide tracks  54  may be present in the lower section  26 , a drain opening can be provided in the lowest point of any trough  60  to prevent any fluid from pooling in the bottom of the trough  60 . 
     To further prevent inadvertent separation between the upper section  25  and the lower section  26 , a mechanical latch  64  can be provided that mechanically interconnects the upper section  28  to the lower section  26 . The mechanical latch  64  can be any latch or hasp that can be manually closed and opened, wherein the latch or hasp acts to bind the upper section  28  and the lower section  26  together when closed. 
     Returning to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , it will be understood that the upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12  is interconnected with the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12  to complete the safety pail system  10 . A disposable trash bag  22  is placed into the receptacle assembly  12  through the open top rim  18 . When the trash bag  22  is full, the trash bag  22  is tied closed. Any mechanical latch  64  present is manually undone. The upper section  28  of the receptacle assembly  12  is then lifted away from the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12 . This exposes the large gap  40  between the first edge  32  and the second edge  34  of the first wall segment  30 . The full trash bag  22  is then easily removed from the lower section  26  of the receptacle assembly  12 . Once the full trash bag  22  is removed, the upper section  28  is replaced and a new trash bag added. The safety pail system  10  is then ready for reuse. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , an alternate embodiment of a safety pail assembly  70  is shown. In this embodiment, a large receptacle assembly  72  is shown. This receptacle assembly  72  has a bottom surface  74 , an open top rim  76  and a peripheral wall  78  that extends between the bottom surface  74  and the open top rim  76 . The peripheral wall  78  has a complex shape and flares wide near the open top rim  76 . 
     A section  80  of the peripheral wall  78  is removable. Once removed, a gap  82  exists in the peripheral wall  78  that extends between a first wall edge  84  and a second wall edge  86 . The gap  82  exists from the open top rim  76  to the bottom surface  74 . 
     U-shaped guide tracks  88  are provided along sections of the first wall edge  84  and the second wall edge  86 . The guide tracks  88  can also extend along the bottom surface  74 . The guide tracks  88  are shaped and sized to receive the removable section  80  of the peripheral wall  78 . The removable section  80  of the peripheral wall  78  has edges  90  that are shaped and sized to be received within the guide tracks  88 . When the removable section  80  of the peripheral wall  78  engages the guide tracks  88  on the first wall edge  84  and the second wall edge  86 , the removable section  80  completely fills the gap  82  and completes the receptacle assembly  70 . Once in place, the removable section  80  of the peripheral wall  78  resists all movement except movement upward in the vertical direction. To prevent inadvertent movement in the vertical direction, manual latches can be provided to temporarily lock the removable section  80  of the peripheral wall  78  in place. 
     It will be understood that once the removable section  80  is set in place, a disposable trash bag is placed into the receptacle assembly  72  through the open top rim  76 . When the trash bag is full, the trash bag is tied closed. Any mechanical latch present is manually undone. The removable section  80  of the receptacle assembly  72  is then lifted away. This exposes the large gap  82  between the first wall edge  84  and the second wall edge  86 . The full trash bag is then easily removed from the receptacle assembly  72 . Once the full trash bag is removed, the removable section  80  is replaced, and a new trash bag added. The overall safety pail system  70  is then ready for reuse. 
     It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.