Patent Abstract:
A garbage collection system comprises a housing positioned under a belt of a point of sale register counter; first and second bins positioned in the housing under the point of sale register counter, the first bin for receiving garbage and/or recyclables, the second bin for receiving hangers; and at least one sliding rail extending perpendicular from a height of the housing, the first and second bins coupled to the at least one sliding rail, at least one of the first and second bins retracting or protruding from at least a portion of the housing in a first position and positioned entirely in the housing in a second position.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/295,866, filed on Feb. 16, 2016 entitled “WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present inventive concepts relate generally to garbage collection, and more specifically, to the separation of recyclable waste from other garbage at a retail establishment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Modern stores are environmentally conscious and institute policies or procedures to implement steps to improve the environment. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect, provided is a garbage collection system, comprising: a housing positioned under a belt of a point of sale register counter; first and second bins positioned in the housing under the point of sale register counter, the first bin for receiving garbage and/or recyclables, the second bin for receiving hangers; and at least one sliding rail extending perpendicular from a height of the housing, the first and second bins coupled to the at least one sliding rail, at least one of the first and second bins retracting or protruding from at least a portion of the housing in a first position and positioned entirely in the housing in a second position. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, the housing includes: a first side; a second side; a back wall between the first side and the second side; and an interior between the first side, the second side, and the back wall, wherein the first and second bins are positioned in the interior of the housing. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises a door at an opening to the interior of the housing. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the door has at least one of a same or similar color, texture, quality, or material as the sale register counter. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises a pair of sliding rails coupled between the door and the housing, for extending or retracting the door and the first and second bin relative to the housing. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the door is hinged to the housing, which when closed, hides the first and second bins in the housing. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises a trash bin housing unit for holding the first and second bins, the trash bin housing unit constructed and arranged for positioning in an interior of the housing. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises a frame for holding the first and second bins, the frame constructed and arranged for positioning in an interior of the housing. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises at least one fixture attachment for coupling the housing to the register counter. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the at least one fixture attachment includes a first fixture attachment extending from a top surface of a back wall of the housing. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises the at least one fixture attachment includes a second fixture attachment extending from a surface of a side wall of the housing. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the housing is coupled to an underside of the register counter and is suspended above the ground by a predetermined distance. 
         [0016]    In one aspect, provided is a garbage collection system, comprising: a housing positioned under a belt of a point of sale register counter, the housing including a first region for holding a first bin and a second region for holding a second bin; at least one sliding rail extending perpendicular from a height of the housing; and a housing unit or a frame coupled to the at least one sliding rail for holding the first and second bins, the housing unit or frame holding the first and second bins retracting or protruding from at least a portion of the housing in a first position and positioned entirely in the housing in a second position. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the first bin is constructed and arranged for receiving at least one of garbage or recyclable material, and the second bin is constructed and arranged for receiving hangers. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the housing includes: a first side; a second side; a back wall between the first side and the second side; and an interior between the first side, the second side, and the back wall, wherein the first and second bins are positioned in the interior of the housing. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises a door at an opening to the interior of the housing. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the housing is coupled to an underside of the register counter and is suspended above the ground by a predetermined distance. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises a trash bin housing unit for holding the first and second bins, the trash bin housing unit constructed and arranged for positioning in an interior of the housing. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the garbage collection system further comprises a frame for holding the first and second bins, the frame constructed and arranged for positioning in an interior of the housing. 
         [0023]    In another aspect, provided is a garbage collection system formed by a process, comprising: positioning a housing under a belt of a point of sale register counter; coupling at least one sliding rail to the register counter, the at least one sliding rail constructed and arranged to extend perpendicular from a height of the housing; coupling a housing unit or a frame coupled to the at least one sliding rail for holding the first and second bins; and retracting or extending the housing unit or frame from at least a portion of the housing in a first position and positioned entirely in the housing in a second position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The above and further advantages may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the concepts. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a garbage collection system in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the garbage collection system of  FIG. 1A  in a closed position, in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the garbage collection system of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is view of an interior of a garbage collection system, in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective views of a retail store checkout counter including a garbage collection system in open and closed positions, respectively, in accordance with some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    One desired procedure by retail establishments is to require store associates to separate garbage from recyclable material such as metal hangers, plastic bags, and so on at a checkout register or other point of sale location. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a garbage collection system  100 A in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the garbage collection system  100 A of  FIG. 1A  in a closed position, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 1C  is a top view of the garbage collection system  100 A of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         [0032]    The garbage collection system  110 A may be a self-contained unit, for retrofitting or otherwise installing the entire unit under a register belt area (shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The garbage collection system  100 A includes a housing portion  102  comprising a first side  122 , a second side  123 , and a back wall  124  collectively forming an interior  107 . A door  103  is positioned at an opening to the interior  107  of the housing portion  102 . The door  103  may include a handle  111  for opening and/or closing the door  103 . In a closed position as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the door  103  may abut edges of the first side  122  and  123 , respectively. At least a portion of the door  103  may include a layer or coating of material  108 , such as metal, plastic, or chemical compound, for example, providing a scratch or damage-resistant guard. 
         [0033]    The housing portion  102  and door  103  may be formed of one or more materials sufficient for supporting the weight of garbage bins  112 ,  113  and their contents, for example, wood, metal, plastic or related composites, or a combination thereof. The housing portion  102  and/or door  103  may be coated with a material to match the color, texture, material, and/or other features of the checkout counter to which the housing portion  102  is coupled. 
         [0034]    The garbage collection system  100 A may include a rail system, or set of rails  104 , ball bearing slides, or the like, for permitting a trash bin housing unit  115  and door  103  to slide linearly relative to the interior  107  of the housing portion  102 . The rails  104  may be formed of metal and/or other material with withstanding the weight of one or both garbage bins  112 ,  113  filled with trash, recyclable material, and so on. The garbage bins  112 ,  113  may be positioned in the trash bin housing unit  115 , which turn is positioned on the pair of sliding rails  104 , so that the trash bin housing unit  115  extends and retracts when needed. For example, when retracted, the trash bin housing unit  115  is positioned in the interior  107  of the housing portion  102 . The walls  122 - 124  of the housing portion  102  are attached under a register belt to a checkout counter (see  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) which supports the housing portion  102 . When extended, the garbage bins  112 ,  113  are exposed so that trash, recyclable materials, and so on may be placed in the garbage bins  112 ,  113 . One of the garbage bins  112 ,  113  may provide a compartment for holding trash and the other of the bins  112 ,  113  may provide a compartment for holding empty hangers and/or other recyclable material. The garbage bins  112 ,  113  may be off-the-shelf garbage cans, pails, buckets, or other holding accessory, for example, formed of plastic, stainless steel, or other well-known materials. Although two bins  112 ,  113  are shown and described, other embodiments include a single bin, or more than two bins. The bins  112 ,  113  may be the same size or be of different sizes. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is view of an interior of a garbage collection system  100 B, in accordance with some embodiments. The garbage collection system  100 B may have elements similar to those of the garbage collection system  100 A of  FIGS. 1A-1C , which are not repeated due to brevity. 
         [0036]    The garbage collection system  100 B may include components that are different than those described with respect to the garbage collection system  100 A of  FIG. 1 . For example, the garbage collection system  100 B can include a wire or metal frame  134  instead of the trash bin housing unit  115  of  FIG. 1 . The frame  134  may be formed of metal, plastic, and/or other composite material providing strength and stability for maintaining at least one bin  112 ,  113 . In some embodiments, the garbage collection system  100 B has a door  103  positioned in front of the wire frame  134  to cover the garbage bins  112 ,  113  when in a closed position, for example, see  FIG. 1B . The wire frame  134  may be is positioned on sliding rails  104  or the like, so that the wire frame  134  and the door  103  extend and retract when needed. 
         [0037]    The garbage collection system  100 B includes fixture attachments  131 ,  132 ,  133  for coupling to a register belt region of a retail store checkout counter. In some embodiments, although not shown, the garbage collection system  100 A of  FIG. 1  may include similar or same fixture attachments. In particular, fixture attachment  131  may extend from a top surface of the back wall  124  of the garbage collection system  100 B, fixture attachment  132  can extend from a bottom surface of the first side wall  122  of the garbage collection system  100 B, and fixture attachment  133  can extend from a top surface of the second side wall  133  of the garbage collection system  100 B. Coupling devices such as screws or the like can be used for attaching the fixture attachments  131 ,  132 ,  133  directly to the register belt region. For example, fixture attachment  131  at a top surface of the back wall  124  may be aligned with a screw hole  109  (see  FIG. 1A ) whereby a screw, nail, or other coupling mechanism may be inserted through a hole in the fixture attachment  131  and into the screw hole  109  for securing the fixture attachment  131  to the back wall  124 . Accordingly, when the fixture attachments  131 ,  133  abut the underside of the cabinet at which the register belt region is located, and/or a side wall of the register belt region, then the cabinet, or housing portion  102  of the garbage collection system  100 A,  100 B (generally,  100 ) is suspended, i.e., the bottom of the housing portion  102  does not touch the ground. In other embodiments, attachment  132  may be coupled to the bottom of the cabinet so that the housing portion  102  touches the ground, or more specifically, directly abuts the bottom or floor of the cabinet instead of or in addition to the sidewall of the register belt cabinet. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective views of a retail store checkout counter  16  having a register belt  14 , and further including the garbage collection system  100 A of  FIG. 1A-1C  or the garbage collection system  100 B of  FIG. 2 , or other related garbage collection system under the register belt area  14 , in accordance with some embodiments. In  FIG. 3A , the garbage collection system  100  is in a closed or retracted position. In  FIG. 3B , the garbage collection system  100  is in an open or extended position. 
         [0039]    The retail store checkout counter  16  may support a plurality of well-known electronic and/or mechanical devices used by a store associate at a checkout counter, for example, but not limited to, a point of sale (POS) terminal or related computer having a display, processor, memory, input/output devices, and so on, optical bar code scanner, printer, electronic payment processing device, cash tray, and credit card processing module (not shown). Elements of the POS device may be positioned on, at, or near a table surface  20  of the checkout counter  16  such as a display monitor  12 , while other elements such as the processor and memory may be positioned below the table surface, for example, collocated in a compartment under the register belt  302 . The garbage collection system  100  may be positioned between the POS system  12  and the register belt  16 , or separate from the POS system  12  by a predetermined distance under the register belt  16 . In other embodiments, the garbage collection system  100  is positioned under the table  20  in such a manner that it does not interfere with other physical elements of a checkout counter  16  such as electronic parts, wires, and so on. In some embodiments, the garbage collection system  100  may include two housing units: a first housing unit under the table  20  and holding a first bin, and a second housing unit under the register belt  14  and holding a second bin. 
         [0040]    The self-contained unit of the garbage collection system  100 , including housing  102  and door  103 , may be positioned at a region  17  under the register belt  14  for ease of access and usage by a store associate behind the checkout counter. The door  103  of the system  100  may be used in lieu of a door of the counter compartment  17 . 
         [0041]    In doing so, the door  103  may be constructed and arranged to match the register belt counter  16 , for example, same color, texture, material, alignment, quality, and/or shape for insertion into the counter compartment  17 , and so on. The garbage bins  112 ,  113  may move in a linear direction in and out of a compartment  17  in a region of the counter  16  under the register belt  14  due to sliding rails  104  or the like, which extend and retract when a user pulls or pushes one or both garbage bins  112 ,  113  when needed. An outermost edge of the housing, the door  103 , or the bins themselves may be flush with a surface of the register belt area or other regions of the counter so as to not protrude from the counter, and therefore provide a compact configuration when closed. However, when at least partially opened, for example, rails extended to expose some or all of the bins  112 ,  113 , some protrusion may occur. The counter  16  may include a door (not shown) in an opened position when the sliding rails  104  are in an extended position, and the garbage bins  112 ,  113  are therefore outside of the compartment  305 . The door may be in a closed position when the sliding rails  104  are in a retracted position, and the garbage bins  112 ,  113  are inside the compartment  305 . 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the retail store checkout counter serves as a hybrid register, for sorting garbage from recyclables such as hangers, plastic bags etc. at the checkout counter. The garbage collection system  100  can be constructed and arranged for one or more of garbage collection, recyclable collection, hangers&#39; collection, returns collection (for example, bottles, cans, and so on), or anything else having a size and configuration for insertion into one or both bins  112 ,  113 . 
         [0043]    While concepts have been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1