Patent Publication Number: US-2017369240-A1

Title: Front operating refuse liner removal system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to refuse receptacls, and more specifically, to a refuse liner removal system for enabling the removal of bags filled with waste from the waste receptacle. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Refuse receptacles are well known in the art and are effective means to hold a refuse liner to be filled with waste. For example,  FIG. 1  depicts a conventional refuse liner removal system  101  having a refuse receptacle  105  supporting a refuse liner  107  that is filled with waste  109 . During use, a user  103  pulls up on liner  107  removing it and the waste  109  from the refuse receptacle  105 . 
     One of the problems commonly associated with system  101  is its limited use. For example, a liner  107  filled with waste  109  can create a seal within the receptacle  105  making it difficult to remove the liner  107  from the receptacle  105 . 
     Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of refuse liner removal systems, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a common refuse liner removal system; 
         FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  are front views of a front operating refuse liner removal system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; and 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are sectional top views of the receptacle of  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of the preferred method of use of the system of  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C . 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional refuse liner removal systems. Specifically, the system of the present application eliminates the creation of a seal between the liner and the receptacle facilitating removal of a liner. This and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  depict front views of a front operating refuse liner removal system  201  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  201  overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional refuse liner removal systems. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  201  includes a refuse receptacle  205  having an access opening  203  that penetrates the receptacle  203 . The access opening  203  having a door  211  slidingly attached to the receptacle. The door  211  having a handle  213  rigidly attached that facilitates moving the door  211  to open and close the access opening  203 . 
     The receptacle having an interior compartment  215  within configured to support a liner  207 . The interior compartment  215  having a track  217  integral to at least the bottom surface  219  and configured to facilitate the door  211  sliding open and closed. 
     In use the liner  207  is filled with refuse  209 . To remove the liner  207 , door  211  transits along track  217  by applying force to handle  213  as depicted by motion B. A user  221  closes liner  207  within the interior compartment  215  as depicted by motions A. The liner  207  is then extracted from the interior compartment  215  via door  211  as depicted by motion C. 
     It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that door  211  opens receptacle  205  without becoming an obstacle for user  221  to work around as they remove refuse liner  207  from the receptacle. It will also be appreciated that track  217  allows door  211  to smoothly transit within the interior or receptacle  205 . It will also be appreciated that lids, foot operated doors, liner retainers and other features common to refuse receptacles could be incorporated with system  201  without deviating from this disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  an alternate embodiment of the system  201  of  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  is depicted. The embodiment  301  having the features of system  201  with an additional interior wall  303  forming a space  305  where door  211  can travel as it opens. It will be appreciated that interior wall  303  protects the door  211  and track  217  from fouling with the liner  207  or refuse  209 . It will also be appreciated that while track  217  is depicted with ball bearings  307  that any method of facilitating the movement of door  211  is contemplated. It will also be appreciated that while receptacle  205  is depicted as a circle any shape is contemplated so long as door  211  opens on the within the receptacle  205  as depicted by motion A. 
     Another unique feature believed characteristic of the present application is interior wall  303  that prevents liner  207 , refuse  209  or any other foreign item from obstructing the movement of door  211 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  the preferred method of use of system  201  is depicted, method  401  including, placing a liner in the refuse receptacle  403 , filling the liner with refuse  405 , detaching the liner from the receptacle  407 , accessing the liner by opening the door  409  and removing the liner from the receptacle through the door  411 . 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.