Abstract:
A collapsible and disposable garbage container that includes a plurality of liners. The plurality of liners are open, ready for use, and attached to the disposable garbage container. The container is collapsible for ease in transport when new. During use, the container is expanded to define a volume for receiving garbage in the liners. Further, when the liners are used up, the container can be collapsed for subsequent disposal. Text may be provided on a sidewall of the disposable garbage container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/677,111 filed on May 3, 2005 and entitled “DISPOSABLE MULTI-LINER GARBAGE CONTAINER”, and which is incorporated herewith by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to a disposable garbage container that includes a plurality of liners or garbage bags. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-liner garbage container which is able to be folded into a compact storage position. The compact storage position provides for efficient shipping of new garbage containers, as well as disposal and recycling of used garbage containers.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0003]     The use of holders for supporting and holding garbage bags is well known and widely employed. Currently in the art, garbage containers need to be serviced frequently to replace used liners. Upon removal of garbage filled liners, a user needs to insert a new liner or garbage bag into the garbage container. A common practice is to remove a single liner from a roll of liners carried by the user and insert the single liner into a garbage container. Similarly, in a household environment, a special event may require extra garbage containers to be dispersed about the household or associated property. For convenience and cost, either unsupported and unsightly garbage bags or large plastic trash cans are often used. Besides being unsightly, an unsupported garbage bag can more easily be punctured or tipped over, causing garbage leakage or spillage problems.  
         [0004]     When a garbage container is used without a liner, garbage removal is cumbersome, as the entire garbage container and its contents need to be transported. Further, the inside of the garbage container can become soiled and needs to be occasionally cleaned.  
         [0005]     To alleviate garbage container cleaning, a liner-less disposable container such as a box is sometimes used. This solution, however, only provides for a one time use. Once the container is filled, the entire container and its contents are disposed of and another garbage container needs to be provided. Further, when liners are not used, if the garbage contents are wet, leaking is often an issue.  
         [0006]     A convenient, recyclable, easily maintained and transportable garbage container is often desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a convenient, recyclable, easily maintained garbage container.  
         [0008]     One aspect of the present invention is a disposable garbage container comprising a support structure with a plurality of liners attached within. In one possible embodiment, the support structure is made of a recyclable cardboard, for example corrugated cardboard, or other recyclable material. The support structure includes front, back, side and bottom panels, some of which contain fold lines to enable collapsibility of the garbage container. The container can be collapsed or folded into the compact storage position for delivery of new garbage containers. The compact storage position is also beneficial for efficient removal and recycling of used garbage containers. In one possible embodiment, the garbage container, and associated liners, can be collapsed into the compact storage position by pressing the fold lines in towards the interior of the support structure. In another possible embodiment, the garbage container, and associated liners, is folded like a grocery bag is folded.  
         [0009]     Another aspect of the present invention is a garbage container which includes a front panel where text, such as a logo or a multi-lingual message, can be printed. For example, the text could be used as an advertising means.  
         [0010]     Yet another aspect of the present invention is an attaching member providing means to secure the plurality of liners to the support structure. It can be appreciated that the attaching member could be comprised of one of many devices, such as a staple, adhesive, tape, or the like.  
         [0011]     In the exemplary embodiment, the support structure and liners are chosen to be of a recyclable grade, such as cardboard and biodegradable bags. Upon use of such materials, the present invention is environmentally friendly. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Further details are explained below with the help of the examples illustrated in the attached drawings in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of a garbage container in accordance with this invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  represents a cross-sectional view of the garbage container, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  represents a cross-sectional view of an area of detail of the garbage container of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  represents a top view of the garbage container, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , positioned in the compact storage position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers generally indicate corresponding elements through out the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.  
         [0018]     The present invention provides a garbage container that is convenient to use, disposable, and includes a surface on which to print text, such as a logo. A plurality of liners, which are layered one upon another in an open and ready to use position are attached to and supported by a support structure. Prior to use, the garbage container and associated liners are folded or collapsed into a shipping position. This allows multiple collapsed garbage containers to be compactly and efficiently shipped in bulk or individually moved to desired locations of use. After being unfolded to a collecting position and a top liner is filled with garbage, the top liner can be removed to expose a next top liner. Upon using the entire plurality of liners, the entire garbage container can be collapsed or folded into a disposal/recycling position. The disposal/recycling position is more compact than the shipping position, as the plurality of liners is no longer contained inside the support structure.  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  one possible embodiment of a disposable garbage container  50 , associated support structure  51 , and plurality of garbage liners  64  are illustrated. It can be appreciated that the support structure  51  can be constructed in a variety of satisfactory ways. The support structure  51  includes a sidewall and a bottom panel  57 . In an exemplary embodiment the sidewall includes a front panel  54 , a back panel  55 , and a pair of side panels  60 ,  61 . The sidewall is attached perpendicularly to the bottom panel  57 . The top is open, but could include a closure. The panels are joined to each other to form the support structure  51  that supports a plurality of garbage liners  64  to be later described.  
         [0020]     Although a particular structure for garbage collection is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, in other embodiments a support structure  51  of another configuration for defining a suitable garbage container  50  may be used. For example, the support structure may be comprised of a different number of panels forming, for example, a cylinder (one panel) or an octagon (eight panels). In one possible embodiment, each of the panels comprising the sidewall may be formed of one piece of material with folds defining the junction between panels. Similarly, in another possible embodiment, the bottom panel  57  can be formed of a common piece of material with the sidewall, with folds defining the junction between the bottom panel  57  and the sidewall. It can be appreciated that a seam may be positioned in an appropriate location, for example only, on the back panel  55 , so as not to impede the folding of the garbage container or interfere with text  65  provided on the front panel  54 .  
         [0021]     In one possible embodiment, each side panel  60 ,  61  includes a fold line  58  positioned longitudinally along a center axis of each side panel  60 ,  61 . The bottom panel  57  includes a fold line  56  running lengthwise down the center of the panel  57 , as well as two “V” fold lines  59  provided on each end of the panel  57 .  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the fold lines provide a means to collapse the garbage container  50  into a compact storage position. In one possible embodiment, bottom panel  57  fold lines  56 ,  59  and side panel  60 ,  61  fold lines  58  are pressed in towards an inner cavity of the support structure  51 , providing for the front panel  54  and back panel  55  to move towards each other. When collapsed, the garbage container  50 , and associated plurality of liners  64 , can easily and efficiently be transported, for example, to a point of sale or to a user location. Similarly, the compact storage position is beneficial when disposing and/or recycling the garbage container after use. It can be appreciated that fold lines of a different shape and position may similarly provide for easy folding into the compact storage position.  
         [0023]     For example, in one possible embodiment, bottom panel  57  is comprised of multiple panels fitted together to form a base of the garbage container  50 . In yet another possible embodiment, the bottom panel  57  can be coated with a nonabsorbent substance providing a backup liquid barrier to deter fluid leakage from the container.  
         [0024]     The shape and dimensions of the support structure  51  can vary depending on the desired garbage volume. For example, a smaller volume garbage container  50  may be desired for a household or hotel environment, whereas a larger volume garbage container  50  may be required for outdoor yard waste or events.  
         [0025]     In one possible embodiment, the support structure  51  is comprised of a corrugated material such as cardboard. The cardboard can be a recyclable grade of cardboard.  
         [0026]     Text  65  is provided on an outer surface of the sidewall, for example the front panel  54 . The text  65  could be either printed directly on the support structure  51  or may be printed on a label, the label being directly applied to the sidewall. It can be appreciated that the text  65  could fulfill a variety of purposes. The text  65  could include, for example only, a company logo, an advertisement, garbage contents (i.e. CANS ONLY), or multi-lingual directions.  
         [0027]     A plurality of garbage liners  64  are attached to the support structure  51 , by at least one attaching means  62 , in a layered, opened, ready for use, position. For example, the liners are attached to the side panels  60 ,  61  by attaching means  62 ,  63 . A sufficient number of garbage liners  64  are attached within the support structure  51  to last for the duration of an event or a certain number of days. For example,  14  liners may be provided to allow the container to be used for two weeks, assuming daily removal of one liner. In one possible embodiment, a custom number of garbage liners  64  are provided based on a request by the user. For example, a user may request 5 garbage liners  64  to be provided within the support structure  51 , based on an event requiring only 5 garbage liners  64  to be filled and subsequently removed.  
         [0028]     In one possible embodiment, the plurality of garbage liners  64  include different colors in order to notify the user that the supply of garbage liners  64  are running low. For example, the last  2  or  3  garbage liners  64  may be a bright red color, while the balance of the plurality of liners  64  are white.  
         [0029]     The plurality of liners  64  can comprise a biodegradable material to enable recycling.  
         [0030]     In one possible embodiment, the attaching means  62 ,  63  is comprised of at least one heavy-duty staple provided on each side panel  60 ,  61 , securing the plurality of liners  64  to an upper portion of the support structure  51 . In one possible embodiment, the liners  64  are folded over a top edge  52  of the support structure  51 . In another possible embodiment, the attaching means  62 ,  63  is comprised of an adhesive. In another possible embodiment, the attaching means  62 ,  63  is comprised of multiple pieces of adhesive tape which individually secures each liner of the plurality of liners  64  to an outer surface of the support structure  51 . In yet another embodiment, the attaching means  62  is comprised of a rubber-band sized to fit around the outer perimeter of the support structure.  
         [0031]     A method of garbage removal including the use of the disposable garbage container  50  includes unfolding the disposable garbage container  50  from a collapsed shipping position and positioning the garbage container  50  into an un-collapsed or collecting position, where the front  54 , back  55 , bottom  57 , and side  60 ,  61  panels define an interior volume. With reference to  FIG. 2 , after filling the top liner  66  with garbage, the top liner  66  can be torn from the attaching members  62 ,  63  and removed, thereby exposing the next top liner. This process is repeated for the remaining liners. Upon removing the last top liner  66 , the disposable garbage container  50  can be folded or collapsed back into a disposal/recycling position, as shown in  FIG. 4 , for removal and subsequent recycling.  
         [0032]     The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the present invention without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.