Abstract:
A novel universal adjustable garbage, trash and waste management system, implemented therein as an adjustable trash receptacle, equipped with at least a cover lid supported by a gliding transformable mechanism, a dual supply feeder, and the wing-regulated adjustable opening. Said system gives a user freedom to enjoy a diversity of disposable storage media, represented by the wide variety of kitchen bags, plastic ties or sacks, independently of their brand, type, shape, size or capacity. Said system consequently improves management of garbage, trash or waste at home, in an office, or business enterprise, as well as serving family, social and outdoor, sports and other activities.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The U.S. patent application 10/248,222 (Abzaletdinov). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Known for years and widely available garbage, trash and waste management systems, especially those appliances which fall in the scope of a domestic usage, being primarily operated and managed by home users, are mostly designed to accept a certain type or brand of a waste bag, plastic tie or trash sack of a single size, as a manufacturer of the particular appliance recommends. Such situation may be beneficial for a manufacturer, but hot necessarily for the end user or customer. It is in fact a limitation, which narrows the user freedom to choose a supply media size or type. The customer has to use just a single one size or type of supply media. At minimum, it is inconvenient for the user, not to mention diminishing of supply media products competitiveness, negatively influencing market. 
     Often the particular brand, size, or type of a supply media that the user has to use, may not be available at the convenience store or other point of sale. To adopt, the user may try to purchase the next available size of supply media, which would most likely appear not even close to the “prescribed” specification, thus turning the user waste management experience into very unpleasant one, until the user would have the next chance to obtain the “right” supply media size or type, as required by a demanding waste management appliance. 
     A ballpark estimate of global scale of related feasible trouble caused by usage of said “improper” media size or type of the supply media, may potentially result in spilling waste or trash, including hazardous, as well as related user injury, time and money loss, for many users worldwide, having to struggle with the restrains of existing trash management solutions, limited by design to accept a single size or type of the supply media. Not to mention people&#39;s stress, as well as possible cases of unsanitary and other health-threatening events, which the improperly managed trash, waste or garbage substance may result in, once the needed supply media is not available, and is substituted by the wrong size or type supply media, which, we should admit, happens quite frequently in our day to day life. 
     Those experienced in the Art continually challenge problems in the field of garbage, trash and waste management systems, suggesting ways to improve and resolve them, no wonder the Prior Art has been enriched by a cumulative intellectual capital represented by, and not limited, to reference just few: The U.S. Pat. No. 445,719 (Schillinger), The U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,424 (Gola), The U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,239, (Triglia), The U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,303, (Timm, et al.), The U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,470 (Neelly, et al.), The U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,759 (Payne, et al.), The U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,031 (Reason),The U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,583 (Steinmetz), The U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,919, (Tsui), The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 20020003144 (Grimes), The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 20020162304 (Stravitz), in addition, many more artifact of the Art may be discovered worldwide. 
     Compared to the Prior Art the novel invention uniquely differentiates itself by adding value to the quality of domestic, office or business garbage, trash and waste management systems. The invention introduces a bright palette of simple, yet effective solutions and improvements to said systems. The lid gliding mechanism with transformable bars, secure joints and glider rails, the rotary wings with clickable mechanism to control the size of the adjustable opening, the dual feeder these are just few key features of the new and improved architecture design pattern applicable to any newly designed garbage, trash or waste management system, said key features could make the said system almost universal, truly user friendly, highly convenient and appealing for a modern look and pleasing feel for the user of most ages and experience levels. 
     Moreover, the invention expands usability of trash management systems, especially of the newly designed garbage containing and disposing means or waste management appliances, by adapting to a wide variety of kitchen bags, trash ties, plastic sacks and other disposable supply media. Subject to a newly suggested architecture design pattern said appliances could easily handle any supply media which is often sequentially compacted in packs or rolls, with or without cavity inside and includes subjects of spiral nature. 
     Furthermore, the invention allows simultaneous hosting of a diverse supply media sizes and types, letting the user pick them up interchangeably, thus promoting creation of a new and improved garbage containers, trashcans, wastebaskets and other stationary or mobile adaptive waste management systems. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts the wire model of the adjustable opening rotary wings with clickable mechanism and synchronization gears. 
     FIG. 2 shows the side view of several possible positions of the rotary wings. 
     FIG. 3 depicts the detailed view of the adjustable trash receptacle. 
     FIG. 4 renders the position of the user hand easily opening thy lid. 
     FIG. 5 extends the further move of the lid allowing the user pick up her choice of the supply media type from the dual feeder. 
     FIG.  6 . shows the lid in its extreme open position. 
     FIG. 7 shows the lid on its way to the closed position. 
     FIG. 8 renders the receptacle with the completely closed lid. 
     FIG. 9 illustrated the ability of the receptacle opening and the lid to adapt to a bigger size mouth of alternative supply media. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the flexibility of the lid gliding transformable mechanism. 
     FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 with the user approach the receptacle from the other side to open the lid. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates the receptacle ability to maximize the size of the adjustable opening to let the user prepare for choosing the bigger size and alternative type of the supply media. 
     FIG. 13 depicts the user extracting the filled trash sack. 
     FIG. 14 shows the support of the one of the several secured rotary wings, to help user make the side move of the sack, and ease the user job of separating the filled sack from the subsequent empty one along the separation line. 
     FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 8 but shows the receptacle adjusted to the maximum size of the supply media item. 
     FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 with different position of the rotary wings to adapt to the smaller size and capacity of the used supply media. 
     FIG. 17 shows one of the possible implementations of the novel waste management system architecture design pattern applied to a new adjustable trash receptacle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A novel adjustable trash receptacle apparatus and method helps users avoid constraints of a particular size, brand or type of disposable garbage storage media such as kitchen bags, plastic ties or sacks. The invention introduces the variable size opening and all-inclusive universal design pattern, allowing the user enjoy the freedom to choose from a diverse supply media sizes, brands, types, qualities or capacities. 
     FIG. 1 therein renders new concept of variable size opening  300  formed by a plurality of rotary wings  310  coupled with at least one clickable mechanism  500  comprised of at least one gear wheel  350  and at least one tongue  220 , said clickable mechanism  500  combined with a plurality of axles  331  synchronized by a plurality of bevel gears  351 . Said axles  331  freely turn inside plurality of tube-like bushings  226 . The tongue  220  and possibly C-shaped bushings  226  may be extruded as part of the receptacle body  210  during its manufacturing process. The tip of the tongue  220  and teeth of the gear wheel  350  may be reinforced for durability using any of the available reinforcing technologies at manufacturer choice. 
     FIG.  2 . illustrates just a few possible positions of wings  310  to better accommodate the size of the opening  300 , from minimum 123 min, to maximum 123 max, to the size of the mouth  123  of kitchen bag  110 , as well as of a plastic waste tie or garbage sack  121 , once either type of supply media has been pulled out from its feed-state form  120  or  110 , and further expanded by the user while wrapping around wings  310  on the upper side of the perforated separation panel  215 , which may be optionally extruded as part of the system during its manufacturing process. 
     FIG. 3 extends a view of the adjustable trash receptacle  700  including plurality of key functionality areas, namely supply media compartment  100 , container stomach  200 , adjustable opening  300 , and cover lid glider transformable mechanism  400 . Together, key areas  100 ,  200 ,  300  and  400  shape an all-inclusive architecture design pattern of the novel waste management system represented therein as an adjustable trash receptacle  700 . 
     The adjustable opening  300  is comprised of at least one rotating wing  310  coupled with the bevel gears  351  responsible for a synchronous move of all wings  310 , by means of axles  331 , supporting bushings  226  and, rotary controlled by the user, clickable mechanism comprised of at least one gear wheel  350  and at least one tongue  220 . Said clickable mechanism  500  helps regulate, in click-by-click controlled angles approximately 15 degrees each, the size of opening  300  to match the size of mouth  123  of the plastic bag  110 , or rolled sack  120  in their expanded form  121 . The bushing  226  may have an optional technological slot  227  helping insert axle  331  inside said bushing  226  during the assembly of the receptacle  700 . 
     The user manually and rotary turns at least one or preferably two opposite wings  310 , as necessary, which action, in turn, engages axles  331 , causing synchronous rotation of the rest of the axles  331  and attached to them wings  310  driven by the bevel gearings  351  also attached to axles  331 . Said user movement results in an orchestrated adjustment of the size of the opening  300  and fixing said size to a desired degree by clickable mechanism  500 . The clickable mechanism  500  consists of a plurality of gear wheels  350  and plurality of tongues  220 , said gear wheels  350  engaged together with the axles  331 , which are revolving inside bushings  226 . The final degree of openness and, therefore, the size of the opening  300  is secured by the at least one tongue  220  and gear wheel  350 . The plurality of tongues  220  and bushings  226  may be extruded as part of the receptacle body. Finally, the perimeter of the opening area  300 , formed by the plurality of the wing  310  edges  311 , and orchestrated by the user&#39;s rotary action, adapts to the size of the mouth  123  of either the plastic bag  110 , or plastic tie or sack  121  coming from the latter media type feed  120 . 
     Furthermore, the lid  410  is a centerpiece of the glider transformable mechanism  400 , comprised of a plurality of curved bars  425 ,  430 , a plurality of transformable secure joints  428 ,  427 ,  461 , and a plurality of glider rails  420 ,  440  equipped with the brake-curved friction means  421 . Said rails  420 ,  440  maintain friction with the transformable secure joints  428 ,  427 ,  461  that are kept in a required degree of tension by the dual force action springs  426 ,  460 , which are, in turn, coupled with the plurality of pilot wheels  470 . Said pilot wheels  470  and the lid secure joint  428  experience traction of the brake curves  421 , to help maintain the preferred position of the lid, as may be freely chosen by the user operating the receptacle  700 , additionally by means of the lid  410  handle  415 , curved bars  425 ,  430 , and rails  420 ,  440  of the lid transformable glider mechanism  400 . 
     The supply compartment area  100  is shaped as at least dual cave supply media feeder, suited to host at least either or both the roll  119  and the, possibly cardboard, box  111 , with each of said supply media type most likely containing a sequential feed of supply media subjects, such as kitchen bags  110  or plastic sacks  120 . Therefore, supply compartment  100  hosts a plurality of supply media of different brands, types, shapes, capacities and sizes. Furthermore, the supply area  100  on FIG. 3 may have at least one lateral door  155  shown on FIG. 17 therein, and/or plurality of cavities  152 ,  153  open to any side, or both the door  155  with handle  156  and cavities  152 ,  153 , as, once again, is illustrated on FIG. 17; for ease of loading of either type of said supply media into supply area  100  shown on FIG.  3 . 
     Furthermore, on FIG. 3, the peripheral, most likely corner edges of supply area  100 , may be optionally equipped with a plurality of user operated and downwards erectable wheels  250 , controlled by the user by means of one of many possible kinds of the erect mechanism  251 , such that the user could secure the plurality of wheels  250  in either upward or downward position, relative to the foundation panel  115 , with the help of at least one bolt  252  sliding within a curved guiding channel, which may be also possibly extruded as part of the receptacle body  210  during the receptacle  700  manufacturing process. 
     Apparently, the concatenated supply media  120  may be supplied by the manufacturer often perforated for ease of disjoint along separation lines  122  between adjacent sections of the supply media contiguous feed  120 , thus forming a prolonged chain of ties or sacks  120  rolled around optional hub  118  which, in turn, may be mounted by the user on at least one, optionally removable, hub axle  130 , may be just one from a possible set of several interchangeable hub axles  130 , also characterized by a plurality of diameters and lengths to fit a diversity of dimensions of different roll hubs  118 . Said set of axles  130  may or may not come with, or sold separately from the trash receptacle  700 . 
     Alternatively, the supply feed may be represented by a hub less roll  119  that does not have a gap or cavity to accept the optionally removable hub axle  130 , therefore, the latter may be safely dismounted by the user from the feeder area  100 , to let her insert the hub-less roll  119  inside the supply compartment  100 . In case of the hub-less roll  119  the feeder compartment may be equipped with a plurality of optional tubular bearings  160  as shown on FIG. 17, said prolonged tubular bearings may be similar to at least a pair of tubular wheels  150  as shown on FIG. 3, said bearings  160  on FIG. 17 may be located on the bottom of the feeder area  100  on FIG. 3, and based off either the platform  115  or any of the side walls of the feeder area  100 , to support and help rotation of the hub-less roll  119 . 
     Additionally FIG. 3 renders an optional supply media brake  140 , described in detail in the referenced the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/248,222, said media brake  140  may or may not be pre-manufactured together with the container body  210  or perforated separation panel  215  shown on FIG.  2 . 
     Furthermore, as illustrated on FIG. 3 therein, the supply media feed may be represented by a collection of individual separated plastic bags  110  sequentially compacted in an original cardboard box  111 , which could be easily inserted by the user, via the said side door or cavern  155  on FIG.  17 . The box  111  on FIG. 3 may be inserted in the feeder area  100 , and put by the user on the top of the box  111  support platform  112 , such that said cardboard box  111  is secured between the plurality of teeth  211  forming an oval, rectangular or other free-form shape opening  212 , helping the user access the bag  110 , and the support platform  112 . The expansion force of spring  13  pushes platform  112  against the foundation basement panel  115  and in the upper direction, thus supporting box  111  in the closest proximity to the opening  212 , and against the teeth  211 , thus readily exposing the content of the cardboard box  111  to the user. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the user easily opening the cover lid to access the bag  110  or the sack  120 . 
     FIG. 5 shows the lid in an open position allowing the user penetrate inside the receptacle and choose the feed of sacks  120  as the current media type; she also has an option to pick up the plastic bag  110 . 
     On FIG. 6, the sack has been moved up, expanded and wrapped around the receptacle opening. Notably, the cover lid is not an obstacle during this operation as the cover lid gliding transformable mechanism provides for the greater freedom to open the lid. 
     FIG. 7 unleashes the further closing movement of the lid stabilized by the gliding transformable mechanism. 
     FIG. 8 therein renders the trash receptacle  700  loaded by the user with both supply media types such as plastic bags  110  stored in the cardboard box  111  and sack feed  120  supplied from the spiral roll  119 . The bag or sack loading movement may be undertaken by the user preferably via at least one convenient door or door less plurality of loading cavities  155  as appears on FIG. 17, said doors, cavities  155  and additional caverns  152 ,  152  may be pre-manufactured in the plurality of walls of the supply compartment area  100  on FIG. 8, simultaneously said door or door less cavity  155 , or plurality of caverns  152 ,  153  on FIG. 17, may optionally partially or entirely extend the geometry contour onto the wall of the container body  200  on FIG. 8, as needed for the greater user convenience while loading and gliding the supply media of any kind into the required initial position in the supply feeder area  100 . 
     FIG. 9 therein illustrates the sack feed has been untied into the sack bag. The user has completed the preparation cycle by conveniently wrapping the bag mouth precisely and securely, applying necessary tension around outer edges of rotary wings, and, if necessary, further fine-tuning the size of the receptacle opening by rotating said wings in clicks of said tongue against said gear wheel, achieving closest match of the outer perimeter of the receptacle opening and the perimeter of the bag mouth, resulting in a most secure position of the supplied bag or sack within the trash receptacle. 
     FIG. 10 shows the user opens the lid to, most likely, reach the supply media from the bottom of the receptacle. Notice the new positioning of the lid gliding transformable mechanism, and the rotary wings preset by the user to form about 45 degree opening. 
     FIG. 11 presents the user moving the lid of the adjustable trash receptacle further to close position. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates the user hand reaching through receptacle opening  300  to grab either a sack feed  120 , or even further, via the opening  212  to grab the plastic bag  110  from the supply compartment area  100 . The media chosen by the user happens to be plastic bag  110 , which will be pulled up and out opening  300  for further wrapping around plurality of rotary wings. 
     FIG. 13, further demonstrates the bottom supply feeder area  100 , which, as indicated on FIG. 17 has a plurality of cavities  152 ,  153  for the user foot to step on the foundation of the feeder  100 , to keep the adjustable trash receptacle stable while the user, as appears on FIG. 13, keeps her foot developing a natural force pressing down in the direction indicated by arrow  551 , and pulling full sack  121  up and out through the receptacle opening  300 . 
     FIG. 14 illustrates the user foot penetrating horizontally, in direction  550 , and simultaneously keeping the down force  551  to control the rotation of the tie or sack roll  119  by variation the horizontal force in direction  550  up to a complete stop of the roll  119 , thus optimizing the tension force along dividing perforation line  122  of the supply media feed  120 , finally to force the filled bag  121  separate from the empty one in the feed  120 , when the filled bag  121  is being removed by the user, with the additional supporting role of the rotary wing  310  helping the user to manage the weight of the full sack or bag  121 . Once again, to free the filled bag  121  from the empty “tail”  120 , the user initiates the disjoint of the media feed  120  from the sack bag  121  along the perforation line  122 , which is weakened by the separation event tension as enforced by the tip of the user foot applying a stopping force  550  against the roll  119 , and the user hand concurrently pulling the bag  121  up and out; additionally the closest to the user wing  310  provides for a convenient support of the full and likely relatively heavy bag  121 , during the separation process at weakened perforated separation line  122 . 
     FIG. 15 therein illustrates the tension of the mouth of the disposable bag or sack wrapped around adjustable opening of the trash receptacle and covered by the lid. 
     FIG. 16, moreover exposes the other possible position of the rotary wings, the lid in the closed position, and illustrates the flexibility of the gliding transformable mechanism. 
     FIG. 17 therein exposes the so called “wire model” of the adjustable trash receptacle, which demonstrates the simplicity of the waste management system design pattern. In particular said wire model shows the hub less spiral roll  119  supported, in this case, by a plurality of tubular prolonged bearings  160 , said roll  119  loaded through the door or door less cavity  155 , equipped in case it is the door with some kind of convenient handle  156 . As mentioned earlier the openings or cavities  152 ,  153  help the user manage the state of the box  110  and roll  119  while dealing with the separation of the sack  121  from the feed  120 , furthermore the prolonged bearings  150  help guide the supply media feed  120  up and out, to expose the sack  121  and its mouth  123  to the user. 
     It is obvious to those experienced in the Art that the plurality of figures and letters therein expose only few of many possible implementation variants of the waste management system architecture design pattern applied as the sample adjustable trash receptacle therein, furthermore the invention intent is to help those experienced in the Art come up with numerous flavors of the particular solutions or inherited designs based on, feed by, and grown from the novel ideas, patterns and concepts expressed by this novel invention, its letters and graphic figures, such that the wide variety of said flavors of particular implementations would be covered by the letters and figures of this invention.