Abstract:
A receptacle for storing waste containing oil. The receptacle includes a container, having a body defining a storage area and a base having ventilation openings, a cover, and a lift assembly for moving the cover over a range of travel between a closed position and an open position. The lift mechanism includes a pivotable pedal, which is provided at the base of the receptacle body, a rotating drive, which is rotatably mounted to the base such that its ends extend therefrom with one end operably arranged with the pedal and the other end pivotally mounted to a lift member. The drive is rotatable in two opposing directions with the lift rod connected to the drive such that the lift member is either moving in a lift direction or a lowering direction when the drive is so rotating. The lift member having one end pivotally mounted to the second end of the drive and another end pivotally mounted to a hinged bracket. One part of the bracket is mounted to the receptacle and the other part of the bracket is mounted to the cover. The lift rod is connected to the portion of the hinged bracket that is also connected to the cover so that movement of the lift rod pivots the cover. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position in response to movement of the pedal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Oils, solvents, thinners, combustible adhesives, and other flammable or toxic substances are commonly used in manufacturing, service, and other working environments. Often cloths, rags, brushes, and other materials are used to apply, remove, or otherwise control these flammable or toxic substances. After use, these cloths, rags, brushes, and other materials present serious fire and health risks when improperly discarded. Receptacles are often employed to store and transport the contaminated cloths, rags, brushes, and other materials. Such a receptacle often includes a cover to close off the storage area of the receptacle. The present invention is directed to such a receptacle. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention provides a receptacle having a container and a cover pivotally mounted thereto and movable between a closed position and an open position via a lift mechanism. The container can include a body and a base. The body can include a sidewall, an open top and a bottom. The sidewall and the bottom can define a storage area accessible via the open top. A base can be disposed adjacent to the bottom of the container and have a plurality of ventilation openings in a sidewall thereof. 
         [0003]    In one embodiment, the lift mechanism can include a pedal pivotally mounted to the base to allow a user to operate the lift mechanism by foot. A drive member can be provided that is rotatably mounted to the base. The drive member can have a shaft, a first end and a second end. The shaft can define a longitudinal axis with the first end and the second end axially offset from the longitudinal axis. The first end of the drive member can be in operable arrangement with the pedal. 
         [0004]    A lift member can be provided that has a first end and a second end. The first end of the lift member can be pivotally mounted to the drive member adjacent the second end thereof. A bracket can be provided that has a fist portion mounted to the container and a second portion that is pivotally movable with respect to the first portion. The second portion of the bracket can be pivotally connected to the second end of the lift member. 
         [0005]    A cover can be mounted to the second portion of the bracket such that the cover is movable by operation of the pedal over a range of travel between a closed position wherein the cover occludes the top of the container and an open position wherein the storage area of the container is accessible through the open top thereof. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment of the invention, a lift assembly can be provided for moving a cover of a receptacle between an open position and a closed position. The lift assembly can include a pedal, a rotating drive operably arranged with the pedal, a lift member operably arrange with the drive member, and a bracket operably arranged with the lift rod. The rotating drive can have a first end, a second end, and a main portion disposed therebetween defining a drive axis. The first end can be operably arranged with a bottom surface of the pedal The first end and the second end can be in offset relationship with the drive axis. 
         [0007]    The lift member can be disposed in non-parallel relationship with the drive axis. The lift member can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the lift member can be pivotally connected to the second end of the drive. The bracket can include a first portion and a second portion which are pivotally movable with respect to each other. The second end of the lift member can be pivotally mounted to one of the first and second portions of the bracket. The bracket can include a stop to limit the relative pivotal movement of the first and second portions thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a waste can in accordance with the present invention, having a foot-operated cover shown in an open position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the waste can of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the waste can of  FIG. 1  with the cover shown in a closed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a foot pedal suitable for use with the waste can of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the waste can of  FIG. 1  with the cover shown in the closed position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the waste can of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lift system in accordance with the present invention, having a foot pedal shown in a fully-depressed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the lift system of  FIG. 9  with the foot pedal shown in a normal position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the waste can of  FIG. 1  with the cover shown in an open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Now referring to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like elements, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a waste can  100  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The waste can  100  can receive and store oil-soaked waste material and other refuse, such as, cloths, rags, brushes, and other materials used to apply, remove, or otherwise control flammable or toxic substances, for example. In other embodiments, the waste can  100  can be of various sizes and colors. For example, a plurality of waste cans  100  can be provided that each have a different color as part of a color-coding plan with each color serving to act as an identifier for a predetermined function and/or location, for example. In one embodiment, the respective colors can signal that the particular waste can is intended to store a certain type of waste material and/or to be located at a particular location of a site in which the waste cans are used. In other embodiments, the color of the waste can may be used as an identifier to signal the hazardous nature of the materials stored therein and to help the waste can be more visible to personnel at the site. For example, the waste can  100  can be bright red or yellow to signal flammable materials are intended to be stored therein. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 - 8 , and  11  illustrate an embodiment of a waste can  100  according to the present invention that includes a container  101 , having a body portion  102  and a base portion  106 , and a cover  104  pivotally mounted to the container  101  and movable via a lift assembly  142  between an open position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The waste can  100  may be made of any suitable material such as one known in the art as being suitable for storing flammable or toxic substances. For example, the container and the cover  104  of the waste can  100  may be constructed of lead-free, galvanized steel having a powder-coat paint finish. It should be appreciated that the waste can  100  may be constructed of any other suitable steel. The waste can  100  may be coated or painted with any suitable coating or paint known in the art. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the body portion  102  includes a generally cylindrical sidewall  108 , a bottom end  110 , and a top end  112  that cooperate together to define a receptacle area  116 . The top end  112  can be in the form of a flanged rim that defines an opening  114  for access to the interior receptacle area  116 . Although the illustrated embodiment includes a body portion in the shape of a cylinder, in other embodiments, the body portion  102  can take the form of other shapes. For example, the body portion  102  can be generally rectangular, square, or ovular. The body portion can include a reinforcing rib  113  or ribs to strengthen the body portion  102 . In use, the waste material can be deposited through the opening  114  to the interior receptacle area  116  of the container  101  where it is safely stored. 
         [0022]    The cover  104  is hingedly connected to the top end  112  of the body portion  102 . The cover  104  of the illustrated embodiment is shown as being generally circular in configuration such that it corresponds to the shape of the body portion  102 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the cover  104  includes a top  118  and a flange  120  depending from the perimeter of the top  118 . The flange  120  is adapted to fit around the outer periphery of the top end  112  of the body portion  102 . Accordingly, when the cover is in the closed position, the flange  120  of the cover  104  overlaps the top end  112  of the body portion  102  to provide an effective closure of the opening to the interior receptacle area. In some embodiments, the top end  112  of the body portion and the flange  120  of the cover  104  can be configured such that there is an interference fit between them to help further secure the cover  104  to the container  101 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base portion  106  is contiguous to the bottom end  110  of the body portion  102 . The base portion  106  of the illustrated embodiment is shown as being generally cylindrical in configuration such that it corresponds to the shape of the body portion  102 . The base portion  106  includes a base rim  122  and a connecting rim  124  with a cylindrical sidewall  125  extending therebetween. The connecting rim  124  is contiguous with the bottom end  110  of the body portion  102 . The base rim  122  of the base portion  106  can include a stabilizing flange  126 . The stabilizing flange  126  can extend radially outwardly from the sidewall  125  of the base portion to provide further support to the waste can  100  to help prevent the tipping of the waste can  100 . The sidewall  125  of the base portion  106  can include a plurality of ventilation openings  128  for promoting air circulation underneath the receptacle area of the body portion  102 . This air circulation can disperse heat, reduce moisture buildup, and prevent rust. In the embodiment of the waste can  100  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the sidewall  108  of the body portion  102  and the sidewall  125  of the base portion  106  are integrally formed with each other such that the sidewalls  108 ,  125  have a unitary construction. In other embodiments, the sidewall  108 ,  125  can be constructed from multiple pieces. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the sidewall  125  of the base portion  106  includes a pedal mounting location  130 . The pedal mounting location  130  is adapted to receive a pedal  132  such that the pedal is pivotally movable between a normal position, shown in  FIG. 4 , and a fully-depressed position, shown in  FIG. 3 , to operate the lift assembly  142 , thereby moving the cover from the closed position to the open position. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the pedal mounting location  130  is configured to receive a pair of resiliently flexible securing projections  134  extending from the pedal  132 . Each securing projection  134  includes a movable barb  136  configured to flex to allow the securing projection to enter the pedal mounting location  130  and, upon entry, return to its normal position so as to retentively engage the interior surface of the sidewall  125  of the base portion  106  to secure the pedal  132  to the base portion  106 . The barbs  136  of the securing projections  134  enable quick and positive attachment of the foot pedal  132  to the container  101 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the pedal  132  is movable, relative to the base portion  106 , in an operating direction  138  to open the cover  104  and a returning direction  140  when the cover  104  returns from the open position to the closed position. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  7  and  8 - 11 , the lift system  142  can be configured to move the cover  104  in an opening direction  144  from the closed position to an open position when the pedal  132  moves in the operating direction  138  by application of an operating force thereto. The linkage system  142  can be configured to allow the cover  104  to move in a closing direction  146  from the open position to the closed position when the pedal  132  moves in the direction  140  once the operating force is removed therefrom. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the lift system  142  includes the pedal  132 , a cam-action drive rod  148  pivotally mounted to the base portion  106  of the container  101  and operatively arranged with the pedal  132 , a vertical lift rod  150  pivotally mounted to the drive rod  148 , and a pivotally movable bracket  152  mounted to the lift rod  150  and to the body portion  102  of the container  101  adjacent the top end  112  thereof and the cover  104  to act as the hinged connection between the cover  104  and the container  101 . The cam-action drive rod  148  extends through the base portion  106  such that offset first and second ends  149 ,  151  thereof extend a predetermined distance from the sidewall  125  of the base portion  106 . The drive rod  148  can extend through a pair of opening in the sidewall  125  of the base  106 . In other embodiments, bushings can be provided to facilitate the support provided by the base to the drive rod. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , the first and second cam ends  149 ,  151  are axially offset from a drive axis defined by the main portion of the drive rod  148  and about which the drive rod is rotatable. The first cam end  149  includes an oblique portion  154  and a generally curved portion  156 , and the second cam end  151  includes a perpendicular portion  170  and a parallel portion  172 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the oblique portion  154  of the first end  149  of the drive rod  148  is disposed at an oblique angle  164  with respect to the main portion thereof. The generally curved portion  156  of the first cam end is in operative engagement with a bottom surface  158  of the pedal  132 . The parallel portion  172  of the second end  151  of the drive rod  148  is movably connected to the lift rod  150  such that the parallel portion  172  can rotate with respect to the lift rod  150 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , when the pedal  132  moves in the operating direction  138  upon application of a predetermined lifting force thereto, the bottom surface  158  of the pedal  132  interacts with the generally curved portion  156  so as to move the generally curved portion  156 , and the oblique portion  154  connected thereto, in the operating direction  138 . The movement of the oblique portion  154  in the operating direction  138  in turn rotates the remainder of the cam-action drive rod  148  in an opening direction  160 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the parallel portion  174  of the second end  151  of the cam-action drive rod  148  rotates in the opening direction  160  to thereby move the lift rod  150  in a lift direction  176  to open the cover  104 . The cover can be maintained in the open position while a sufficient force is applied to the pedal. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , when the lifting force is removed from the pedal  132 , the cover falls toward the closed position. In response to the movement of the cover, the lift rod  150  moves in a closing direction  178  which in turn causes the cam-action drive rod  148  to rotate in a return direction  162 . The generally curved portion  156  and the oblique portion  154  of the first end  149  of the drive rod  148  move along with the rest of the drive rod  148  and act against the pedal  132  to move it in the return direction  140 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the vertical lift rod  150  includes a bottom cam end  166  for connecting to the drive rod  148  and a top end  168  for connecting to the bracket  152 . Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the top end  168  includes a second oblique portion  171  and a hook  173  for connection to the bracket  152 . The bottom cam end  166  includes a loop  174  for receiving therethrough the parallel portion  172  of the second cam end  151  of the cam-action drive rod  148 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the bracket  152  includes a fixed portion  180  that is generally U-shaped and includes a pair of openings  184  respectively disposed on one of a pair of projecting legs  185  of the fixed portion  180 . The fixed portion  180  includes an intermediate member  187  from which the legs  185  extend. The intermediate member  187  can be contoured to substantially correspond to the shape of the sidewall of the body portion of the container. The bracket  152  can include a pivoting portion  182  having a pair of openings  186  that respectively align with the openings  184  of the fixed portion  180 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a handle  193  constructed from a formed rod includes a pair of ends that respectively extend through the aligned openings  184 ,  186  of the fixed portion  180  and the pivoting portion  182  to thereby pivotally mount the pivoting portion  182  to the fixed portion  180  for relative pivotal movement between the pivoting portion  182  and the fixed portion  180 . In addition to pivotally connecting the fixed portion  180  to the pivoting portion  182 , the handle  193  can function as a means for transporting the waste can  100 . A user or a machine can grip the handle  193  to readily transport the waste can  100 . In other embodiments, the pivoting portion can be pivotally mounted to the fixed portion by other known techniques. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the pivoting portion  182  of the bracket  152  can include a pair of stops  183  configured to prevent the pivoting portion  182  from pivoting beyond a predetermined pivot angle. For example, when the cover  104  is connected to the pivoting portion  182 , as discussed below, the stops  183  can be configured so as to prevent the cover  104  from opening beyond a pivot angle  187  of sixty degrees ( FIG. 3 ), measured between the planes defined by the top portion  112  of the body  102  and the distal end of the flange  120  of the cover  104 , for example. As such, when the cover  104  is in the fully-open position as shown in  FIG. 3 , the pivot angle  187  is at its maximum. When the operating force is removed from the pedal  132 , the weight of the cover  104  is sufficient to automatically return the cover  104  to the closed position and in turn move the lift assembly  142  back to its normal position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0034]    In other embodiments, the pivot angle can be different than sixty degrees. For example, in other embodiments, the pivot angle can be anywhere between about forty-five degrees and about eighty-five degrees. In still other embodiments, the pivot angle can be any angle in which the weight of the cover is still sufficient to automatically return the to the closed position upon removing the operating force from the pedal. In yet other embodiments, the pivot angle can be different. In still other embodiments, the waste can may include a closing actuator, such as a spring or hydraulic cylinder, for example, that urges the cover to the closed position such that pivot angles greater than ninety degrees can be used and still incorporate an automatic closing feature. 
         [0035]    The pivoting portion  182  includes a connecting member  188  that extends in an outward direction. The connecting member  188  includes an opening  190  for receiving therethrough the hook  173  of the top end  168  of the vertical lift bar  150 . Accordingly, the pivoting portion  182  moves in response to movement of the vertical lift bar  150 . When the vertical lift bar  150  moves in the direction  178 , the pivoting portion  182  moves in a direction  192 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . When the vertical lift bar  150  moves in the direction  176 , the pivoting portion  182  moves in a direction  196 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the fixed portion  180  of the bracket  152  is connected to a location proximate to the top end  112  of the body portion  102 , and the pivoting portion  182  of the bracket  152  is connected to the flange  120  of the cover  104 . 
         [0036]    In operation, when a user applies a sufficient operating force, via his foot, for example, the pedal  132  moves in the direction  138 , which in turn causes the bottom portion  158  of the pedal  132  to interact with the generally curved portion  156  of the first cam end  149  of the cam-action drive rod  148  to rotate the drive rod  148  in the direction  160 . The parallel portion  172  of the second cam end  151  moves in the direction  176 , which in turn causes the vertical lift rod  150  to move in the direction  176 . The connection between the connecting member  188  and the lift rod  150  causes the pivoting portion  182  of the bracket  152  to rotate in the direction  196 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As a result, the cover  104 , which is connected to the pivoting portion  182 , moves in the direction  144  from the closed position to the open position. 
         [0037]    Likewise, when a user removes the operating force from the pedal  132 , the weight of the cover  104  urges the cover to move from the open position in which it is toward the closed position, thereby causing the pivoting portion  182  of the bracket to rotate with it in the direction  192 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The connection of the connecting member  188  of the pivoting portion  182  and the hook  173  of the lift rod  150  causes the lift rod to move in the direction  178 , which in turn causes the parallel portion  172  of the second end  151  of the drive rod  148  to rotate in the direction  162 . As a result, the cam-action drive rod  148  rotates in the same direction  162 , thereby causing the curved portion  156  of the first cam end  149  of the cam-action drive rod  148  to urge the pedal  132  upward in the direction  140  toward its normal position with the cover  104  closed. 
         [0038]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0039]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0040]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.