Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/103,732, filed Jan. 15, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an organic waste container and method for use thereof, and more specifically to an organic waste container configured for storage within a shelf of a typical consumer refrigerator. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Organic waste can cause a lot of problems in the kitchen environment. Most often organic scraps are tossed into a common garbage receptacle. The smells caused by the decomposition of these materials can be very powerful and attract insects such as roaches, ants and fruit flies as well as unwanted attention from household pets. If the garbage is not emptied promptly this can cause a real problem as the smells will grow more intense. 
     Even a small amount of organic material can create a problem. Wanting to minimize the smell/mess, many households regularly toss out large garbage bags that are only partially full. The overuse of plastic bags is harmful to the environment. 
     In many regions, composting is mandatory and households collect compostable material in containers on the kitchen counter or in cabinets. Because the compost bins that exist for this purpose are meant to be stored at room temperature the compostable materials begin to smell. Many households experience insect/pest issues because of this. 
     Many types of compost containers exist, although none are designed to fit within a refrigerator door to be refrigerated. What is needed is a compact organic waste storage container designed for easy storage within a typical refrigerator door. 
     Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for an organic waste container with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides an Organic Waste Container allowing for organic material to be collected and refrigerated. Using this product helps minimize the mess and odors associated with food preparation within the kitchen environment. The container is designed to fit in the refrigerator (ideally on the door) and to be highly accessible when needed. 
     The container is designed to be simple, and durable in its construction, with few moving parts. It is designed to be used in conjunction with plastic liners, although it can be used without them. Grocery store produce bags and/or certified compostable bags will work to suit this purpose and aid in further containing odors/mess. 
     The container is a size that allows for these plastic and/or certified compostable liners to be used making cleanup easy when the container becomes full. A large tightly fitting lid helps hold the plastic liners in place. An optional adjustable divider and liner securing clip may be included to allow for collected material to be separated into compostable and non-compostable within the same container (while still utilizing the bag liners). The container can be used with or without the divider, depending upon the needs of the material being collected. 
     The container can be placed in a work area with the lid removed to facilitate quick cleanup when a large amount of organic material needs to be disposed of. The container allows for organic material to be diverted from the regular trash and will thus help prolong the life of kitchen waste plastic bags, ultimately meaning less plastic ends up in the landfill. 
     The environmental benefits of the collection container are further amplified when certified compostable liners are used and the collected material is composted. This container can also be stored outside of the fridge as the tight fitting lids help reduce the smells associated with organic waste collection. It is advised to refrigerate the container to maximize the benefits of using it. 
     All parts of the collection system may be designed to be dishwasher safe allowing for easy cleanup. A gasket provides a seal between the lid and the base bin. Openings allow for ventilation and air movement around the certified compostable liners. A magnetic-type latch on the lid that requires minimal effort to pull apart but will ensure that the lid stays in place when not in use. A compacting tool that is used to gently compress the organic material and allow for maximum use of the available space in the container. A lid designed with a smaller hinged inset lid that allows for organic material tossed in the container by lifting the smaller hinged lid while the container remains in the fridge. A replaceable carbon filter. A handle to allow the bin to be transported and emptied easily. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
         FIG. 1  is a top-down three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a typical environment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top-down three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention including internal elements and a removed lid portion. 
         FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional exploded isometric view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a top-down three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention including a liner bag. 
         FIG. 5  is a top-down three-dimensional isometric view thereof wherein the lid element is enclosing the liner bag. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded three-dimensional isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention including a second stacked portion. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 2  with the lid portion removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
     II. Preferred Embodiment Organic Waste Container System  2   
     Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment organic waste container system  2  in a preferred environment stored within a shelf  11  of a refrigerator door  10 . Generally, the container consists of a base bin  4 , a lid  6 , and an optional disposal liner  8  placed within the interior of the base bin  4 . 
       FIGS. 2-3  show the base bin  4  including divider guides  16  for receiving a divider  14  which allows the bin  4  to be divided into separate chambers for separating out different types of waste (e.g. compostable vs. non-compostable waste). A clip  12  clips onto the divider  14  and helps to secure the liner bag  8  within each chamber. 
       FIGS. 4-5  show the present invention without the divider  14  in use. 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the present invention where a second bin  18  is stacked atop the original bin  4 . The base bin  4  includes a top portion  20  which receives the inner lip  21  of the lid  6  or a hollow base  22  of the second bin  18 . The second bin  18  similarly includes a top portion  24  for receiving the lid  6  or other bins. This could allow for the stacking of multiple bins.  FIG. 9  shows handle indents  7  within the lid  6  which make it easier for the user to remove the lid  6  from the base bin  4 . Alternatively, the bin and the lid could be designed such that the lid fits within the bin, the lid having a lip around its top edge which prevents the lid from fully entering the bin. 
     An embodiment of the present invention could include gaskets about the top portion  20  of the base bin  4  for aiding in sealing the bin with the lid. 
     An embodiment of the present invention may also include a magnet located within the top portion  20  of the base bin and a corresponding magnet within the lid  6  and/or the hollow base  22  of the second bin  18 , which further helps to seal the interior of the bin. The top portion  24  of the second bin  18  may also include such a magnet feature. 
     A compacting tool may be included to gently compress the organic material and allow for maximum use of the available space in the container. The compacting tool would be designed to be small enough to be used within the chambers of the bin  4  allowing for the materials to be tamped down. 
     The lid  6  could include a smaller hinged inset lid that allows for organic material to be placed within the bin by lifting the smaller hinged lid while the container remains in the refrigerator. 
     A replaceable carbon filter may also be included in the system. 
     A handle may also be included to allow the bin to be transported and emptied easily. 
     There could be multiple sets of divider guides  16  within the interior of the bin, allowing the bin to be divided into three or more compartments, or to adjust the comparative size of the divided compartments. 
     All elements of the present invention would be dishwasher safe, or easily cleanable with soap and water. 
     The organic waste container system  2  would be placed in the kitchen while organic products are being used. Any organic waste would be placed within the bin  4 . The lid  6  would then be placed on the bin, and the bin would be placed in the shelf  11  of the refrigerator door  10 . The cooler temperature of the refrigerator will prevent the organic waste from decomposing, thereby preventing odors from forming and escaping the bin. The various elements of the bin (e.g. the gasket around the upper portion  20  of the bin  4 ) would further aid in sealing the bin to prevent odors from escaping. 
     Further optional elements include corresponding magnets placed in each of the upper portion  20  of the bin  4  and in the lid  6 . The magnets provide additional sealing of the lid against the bin by magnetically holding the lid in place and requiring additional force to remove the lid. 
     The lid  6  may optionally include an inset opening which is connected to the lid via a hinge or other element. This inset allows the user access to the internal space of the bin while the container system  2  is located within the refrigerator door  10  without requiring the entire lid  6  to be removed or the entire container system  2  to be removed from the refrigerator. 
     The container system  2  may also include a handle located on a side of the bin  4  for allowing easy carrying of the system between the kitchen and the refrigerator door. 
     A replaceable carbon filter may be implemented to further reduce odors from escaping the container system. 
     It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

Technology Category: 7