Abstract:
A dual bin waste receptacle is disclosed having a bin assembly comprised of a pair of bins sharing a single divider between them. The bins are waterproof and leak proof. The tops of each respective bin has a continuous rim that a trash liner may be folded over. A complementary dual lid assembly is also provided that snaps onto the bin assembly thereby pinching both of the trash liners. The lid assembly is hinged in the middle, essentially over the divider that allows access to and trash liner removal from each side independently.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to household garbage and recycling storage, and more particularly, to a dual bin waste receptacle including a complementary lid for garbage and recycling sorting and storage. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Several designs for garbage cans have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes a dual bin design suitable for household use that includes features to hold securely a disposable bin liner while permitting easy access to either of two bins while not disturbing or opening the other adjacent bin. 
     Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,674 issued to Ledford. However, it differs from the present invention because the present improvements include the ability to keep one of the sides closed while servicing the opposite side as well as providing an improved means to secure a liner (also referred to as a garbage bag, trash liner or bag) to the tops of the bins while remaining robust. 
     Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a device that encourages household recycling by improving the ease in which a user can separate recyclables from refuse. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a sanitary device that is easy to clean and easy to keep clean with garbage bags held securely by the lids. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device that is simple to use and is attractive to home owners. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of a version of the device as it might be in actual use. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a bin assembly. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a version of the device as it might be in use with a partially opened lid assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a representation of a partial elevation view of a portion of a bin assembly. 
         FIG. 5  a perspective view of a version of a bin assembly. 
         FIG. 6  shows a partial elevation cross section view showing an example of how a lid assembly connects to a bin assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of a version of a lid assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a top side plan view of a variety of lid assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes a bin assembly  12  and a lid assembly  14 . 
     The bin assembly  12  is further comprised of, among other elements, a dispenser  30 , a sidewall  32 , a sidewall  33 , a base  34 , a divider  36 , a rim  38 , a rim  39 , a gap  40 , a rim  41 , a rim  42 , a back  44  and a front  46 . 
     Generally, the bin assembly  12  is comprised of an open-topped box bounded by the base  34  forming a bottom panel, a front  46  forming a front panel, a sidewall  32  and sidewall  33  forming a left and right side panels, respectively, and a back  44  forming the back panel. 
     The base  34 , sidewalls  32  and  33 , front  46  and back  44  together form essentially an open topped, two part box. The addition of a divider  36  that connects the front  46  to the back  44 , as well as the bottom  34 , divides the bin assembly  12  into a first and second bin. The two bins are substantially identical, but mirror images of each other. 
     The bin assembly  12  is preferably made of a unitary construction of a semi-rigid and water-proof material. For example, the bin assembly  12  may be made of sheet metal, plastic, other polymer or combination thereof. Other materials could also conceivably be used as may become available, but any material should be strong and stiff enough to support the weight of any contained garbage and also be able to contain odors and liquids that may be placed inside. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5  where the divider  36  is shown in more detail, a top edge of the bin assembly  12  on the first bin is bounded by the rim  38  and rim  39  and on the second bin by rim  41  and rim  42 . At the top of the divider  36 , a gap  40  separates the rim  38  and the rim  42 . This feature allows a trash liner to be set inside either the first or second bin and be fully wrapped over the respective rims  38  and  39  for the first bin and the second bin at rims  41  and  42 . 
     The divider  36  is present to provide a structure for any trash liner placed in either side of the bin assembly  12  as well as to isolate any spillage of liquid or solids in one side from traveling to the other side. This can reduce the effort required to clean a spill and also to prevent cross-contamination between the two sides of the bin assembly  12  when used for containing different types of garbage. For example, food waste intended for composting should typically not be in contact with other garbage intended for disposal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the dispenser  30  is optionally provided on the exterior of the bin assembly  12 . The dispenser  30  can hold a reserve supply of garbage bags in a convenient position to aid the user in easily removing the content of the bin assembly  12  and replacing the garbage bag with a new, clean trash bag readying the device for continued use. 
     The dispenser  30  may have a hinged or lidded cover to allow a refill of a new package of garbage bags when the supply contained therein is exhausted. In a preferred version of the device the dispenser  30  is dimensioned to a standard size of garbage bag bulk pack. This may encourage use of any particular brand of garbage bags which may have an added value for a manufacturer of the device. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 3  is the hinging action of the lid assembly  14 . The first and second bins may be each individually accessed by lifting the outside edge of the crown  48 . The portion of the lid assembly  14  over that bin can then be accessed without disturbing the other bin. In a preferred version of the device the lid assembly  14  for each side independently snaps tightly onto the respective rims  38  and  39  as well as the rims  41  and  42 . This is useful, for example, when one side of the bin is changed out more frequently or has an odorous content that the user prefers not to disturb until absolutely necessary. 
     Another advantage of independently operable lids is that the liner on one side can be removed with the benefit of the weight of the opposing side. As often happens when emptying a prior art garbage can by removing the liner, the liner is over stuffed and is somewhat difficult to remove. For prior art devices the user then has to try to hold the can to the floor to pry the bag out. In the present invention the weight of the garbage in the side that it not then being removed holds the can down so plenty of force can more easily be applied to remove a stubborn liner from the other side without holding the bin assembly  12  down with their feet or some other cumbersome means. 
     The lid assembly  14  is further comprised of, among other elements, a cover  16 , a cover  18 , a door  20 , a door  22 , a seam  24 , a hinge  26 , a margin  28 , a crown  48 , a flange  52 , a flange  54  and a flange  56 . 
     Generally, the lid assembly  14  is a unified assembly of cover  16  connected to cover  18  at the hinge  26 . The lid assembly  14  is dimensioned to attach onto the top of the bin assembly  12 . The crown  48  is configured to engage the rim  39  on a first side and the rim  41  on the second side. Above the divider  36 , the lid assembly  14  at the flange  52  engages the rim  38  and the flange  54  engages the rim  42 . The crown  48  creates a generally air and odor proof seal at the intersection between the lid assembly  14  and the bin assembly  12 . 
     Doors  20  and  22  independently open, one each over the first and second bins, respectively. In a preferred version the doors  20  and  22  are biased closed with the force of gravity. Alternate versions using springs or elastic bands may also be used. Doors  20  and  22  are preferably relatively tight fitting to avoid the escape of odors and preventing the intrusion of insects yet remaining freely movable so that refuse may be easily inserted into the bins. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6  where a partial view of the device is shown to further include, among other features, a liner  50 , a flange  52 , a flange  54  and a flange  56 . 
     The liner  50  is equivalent to and sometimes referred to as a garbage bag, trash bag, can liner or similar terminology that should be reasonably understood to encompass other analogous terminology. The liner  50  is typically made of plastic. Liners  50  are commonly sold in boxed rolls that may be inserted into the dispenser  30 . Other marketable forms may be used equally and are commonly widely available. 
     The liner  50  is used as a disposable lining for each of the sides of the bin assembly individually. Typically one liner  50  may be used for the bin on the left and another for the bin on the right. The liner provides a removable element that protects the inside of each of the bins from soiling or contamination from the refuse contained inside the bins. The liner  50  simultaneously provides a means to easily extricate the contents of the bins with minimal effort and mess because one liner  50  can be removed without disturbing the opposing bin. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , during typical use, one of the sides of the lid assembly is raised about hinge  26  (in a similar configuration as demonstrated in  FIG. 3 ) to expose the interior of that side of the bin assembly  12 . Notice that the other side of the bin assembly  12  remains undisturbed. 
     A liner  50  may then be inflated and inserted into a bin and hung over the rims  41  and  42  of the bin assembly  12 . To hold the liner  50  firmly in place during use the liner  50  is pinched between the inside of the crown  48  between the flange  56  and rim  41 . Similarly on the medial side the liner  50  is pinched between flange  54  and rim  42 . The flanges  54  and  56  encircle the underside of the right half of the lid assembly  14  and engage the rims  41  and  42  that encircle the corresponding elements of the bin assembly  12 . Materially similar elements are employed on the left side for the first bin as shown by flange  52  that mates with rim  38  in an analogous fashion to that on the right side. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show an exemplary configuration of a lid assembly that further comprises, among other elements, a hinge  57 , a rear door  58 , an aperture  60 , an aperture  62  and a flange  64 .  FIG. 8  is a view of the lid assembly  12  from the bottom demonstrating the interior elements in more detail. 
     In one important version of the lid assembly the door  20  and rear door  58  are supported and are moveable relative to hinge  57 . A materially similar design may be over each of the two sides of the bin assembly  12 . The weight of the rear door  58  and door  20  essentially balance at a position where the rear door  58  seals closed aperture  62  and the door  20  seals closed aperture  60 . As described above it is preferable that the seals between the doors and apertures are as tight as possible to thwart insects and contain odors yet be freely moveable enough to permit easy deposits of garbage inside the bin assembly  12 . 
     An important version of the present invention can be fairly described as a trash receptacle comprised generally of a bin assembly and a lid assembly. The bin assembly is essentially a tub, preferably made of plastic, that is formed from a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, all integrated together. An important element of this version of the device is that the bin assembly further has a divider panel that is substantially parallel to said first side panel and said second side panel and bisects said bin assembly forming a first bin and a second bin. Essentially, the plastic bin is divided by this divider into two roughly equal sub-sections creating the first bin and the second bin. The first bin has a first rim encircling a top edge of said first bin and said second bin has a second rim encircling a top edge of said second bin. The first bin contains and is lined by a first liner (trash bag) with an open end of said first liner wrapped over said first rim and Said second bin similarly contains a second liner inside with the open end of said second liner wrapped over said second rim. This is in similar fashion to how in the prior art a single trash bag is placed inside the trash can and the liner wraps over the top edge of the trash can. The lid assembly is comprised of a first lid articulably connected to a second lid by a hinge. The first lid snaps onto said first rim thereby frictionally retaining (by pinching between) said first liner between the first lid and first rim. Then the second lid snaps onto the second rim thereby similarly frictionally retaining said second liner between the second lid and second rim. The hinge is substantially adjacent and parallel to a top edge of said divider panel. The first lid covers said first bin and said second lid covers said second bin, each having a door that is biased closed that can be pushed open by the user to insert trash. 
     An important variation or option is that a liner dispenser assembly is affixed to an exterior side of said front panel or an exterior side of said first side panel or an exterior side of said second side panel. This way additional, fresh liners are always handy. 
     In a preferred version the first and second bins are waterproof and leak proof. Any wet trash is then contained inside and cannot easily get out of the device. The first bin is also isolated from the second bin so that fluid in one cannot get into the other side. In other words, the first bin is fluid tight between said first panel, said divider panel, said front panel, said bottom panel and said back panel. Similarly, the second bin is fluid tight between said second panel, said divider panel, said front panel, said bottom panel and said back panel. 
     The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.