CA2582636A1 - Apparatus for temporarily containing household waste - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for temporarily containing household waste comprises a rear mounting plate for mounting the apparatus on a substantially vertical surface. An upper frame member extends outwardly from the rear mounting plate for receiving the upper portion of a waste receiving bag thereon in folded-over relation and thereby defining the position of the mouth the waste receiving bag mounted thereon in an in-use configuration. A lower frame member is suspended from the rear mounting plate. A bag holder is mounted on the lower frame member for receiving and retaining a plurality of waste receiving bags, prior to being in the in-use configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to waste receptacles, and more particularly to waste receptacle used in kitchens and the like, especially mounted on cupboard doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It has been common for many years to use a wire frame type waste receptacle that carries a plastic bag, to receive and retain household waste for subsequent disposal. Such wire frame type waste receptacles are typically mounted on a vertically oriented surface, such as a cupboard door in a kitchen, or other similar location. Similar types of waste receptacles made from plastic are also known.

[0003] Typically, these wire frame type waste receptacles have a horizontal top portion, a vertical central portion, and a lower support portion. The wire frame waste receptacle is mounted on a vertically oriented surface, such as a cupboard door, typically by means of threaded fasteners. The horizontal top portion is used to receive and retain a small plastic bag, such as a specially shaped polyethylene bag or a plastic grocery bag having two integral handles. The plastic bag is looped around the horizontal top portion and hangs downwardly therefrom, and is open upwardly to receive and retain household waste therein. The lower support portion generally supports the plastic bag and the waste contained in the plastic bag. A hinged lid closes over the horizontal top portion to cover the bag, and covers the mouth of the plastic bag.
10004] Similarly structured types of plastic type waste receptacles are also known.

[0005] Although these types of wire frame type waste receptacles and similar types of plastic type waste receptacles have been around for many years, very few significant improvements have been made in them.

[0006] United States Patent 5,018,691 issued May 28, 1991 to King, discloses a Support Rack. The support rack is used for holding plastic bags used for receiving and retaining household refuse therein. A main frame comprises a pair of vertical members adjoined by a horizontal attachment member. A top horizontal portion extends outwardly from the top ends of the vertical members. A bottom horizontal portion extends outwardly from the bottom end of the vertical members. The support rack is mounted on a substantially vertical surface, such as a cupboard door, by means of threaded fasteners extending through apertures in the attachment means. A rear bag hanger extends forwardly from the rear frame member and a front bag hanger extends rearwardly from the front frame member. Plastic bags are hung by their handles from the rear bag hanger and the front bag hanger so as to be open upwardly for receiving refuse therein. The bottom horizontal portion acts as a support for supporting the plastic garbage bag and the refuse container therein. Extra plastic garbage bags are also hung from the rear bag hanger, and are retained in place by a spring biased clip arm.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus properly accommodates small plastic garbage bags.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus readily receives and retains plastic grocery bags with handles located at the edges or in the middle.

[00010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus is adjustable in height.

[00011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus permits drips from an in-use bag to be caught and subsequently emptied into a desired receiving location.

[00012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus permits drips from an in-use bag to be caught during transport of the bag to another location and subsequently emptied into a desired receiving location.

[00013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus fits into a small retail package.

[00014] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus readily stores a plurality of plastic garbage bags.

[00015] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus readily stores a small box of plastic garbage bags.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00016] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel apparatus for temporarily containing household waste. The apparatus comprises a mounting plate for mounting the apparatus on a substantially vertical surface. An upper frame member extends outwardly from the mounting plate for receiving the upper portion of a waste receiving bag thereon in folded-over relation and thereby defining the position of the mouth the waste receiving bag mounted thereon in an in-use configuration.
A lower frame member is suspended from the mounting plate. A bag holder is mounted on the lower frame member for receiving and retaining a plurality of waste receiving bags, prior to being in the in-use configuration.

[00017] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00018] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[00019] Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front left and above of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste according to the present invention;

[00020] Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front right and above of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00021] Figure 3 is a perspective view from the back left and above of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00022] Figure 4 is a perspective view from the back right and above of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00023] Figure 5 is a perspective view from the front left and below of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00024] Figure 6 is a perspective view from the front right and below of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00025] Figure 7 is a perspective view from the back left and below of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00026] Figure 8 is a perspective view from the back right and below of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00027] Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00028] Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00029] Figure 11 is a left side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00030] Figure 12 is a right side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1;

[00031] Figure 13 is a left side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1, with the lid in a open position;

[00032] Figure 14 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but with the drip tray removed;

[00033] Figure 15 is a perspective view similar to Figure 14, but with the bag holder also removed;

[00034] Figure 16 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but with a first type of waste receiving bag in place in an in-use position;

[00035] Figure 17 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but with a first type of waste receiving bag in place in an in-use position;

[00036] Figure 18 is an enlarged perspective view from the left side of a portion of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1, specifically showing the drip tray removed;

100037] Figure 19 is a left side elevational view similar to Figure 11, but installed on a cupboard door;

[00038] Figure 20 is a left side elevational view similar to Figure 19, but with the cupboard door open;

[00039] Figure 21 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of Figure 1, but in a compact shipping configuration; and, [00040] Figure 22 is a sectional side elevational view taken along section line 22 - 22 of Figure 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[00041] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 22, which show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste according to the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The apparatus for temporarily containing household waste 20 comprises a substantially vertically oriented rear mounting plate 30 for mounting the apparatus on a substantially vertical surface such as a cupboard door 22, wall, or the like. The rear mounting plate 30 has a plurality of mounting apertures 31 therein for receiving threaded fasteners therethrough, which threaded fasteners are used to mount the apparatus to the substantially vertical surface. There are also five pieces of double sided tape on the rear of the mounting plate 30, to assist in mounting the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste 20 to a substantially vertical surface, such as a cupboard door 22. The circular piece of double sided tape 24 is less tacky than the other four rectangular pieces of double sided tape 26. The circular piece of double sided tape 24 is used to temporarily mount the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste 20 on a substantially vertical surface while pilot holes are being drilled and / or threaded fasteners are being used to permanently mount the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste 20 to a substantially vertical surface.
The four rectangular pieces of double sided tape may be used to mount the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste 20 on a substantially vertical surface without using threaded fasteners.

[00042] The rear mounting plate 30 further comprises forwardly extending left and right side portions 32,34. Each of the left and right side portions 32,34 has at least one downwardly extending tab 36,38 thereon for receiving and retaining the handle loops 28 of a waste receiving bag 29. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the left and right side portions 32,34 each have a plurality of downwardly extending tabs, specifically two tabs 36,38, thereon for receiving and retaining the handle loops 28 of a waste receiving bag 29. In this manner, a plurality of heights of waste receiving bags can be readily accommodated.

[00043] The rear mounting plate 30, including the downwardly extending tabs 36,38, are preferably made from plastic, although any other suitable material could be used.

[00044] At the top of the rear mounting plate 30, there is a upper central recessed section 40 that terminates at its top in a horizontal lid mounting bar 44. The lid mounting bar 44 is flanked by left and right upper plate portions 41a,41b that each terminate at their tops in four co-operating clips 43, the purpose of which will be discussed subsequently.

[00045] The upper central recessed section 40 and a lower recessed section 42 are included for the purpose of providing structural strength to the mounting plate 30.

[00046] The rear mounting plate 30 also includes a tab member 46 for receiving and retaining one handle of a waste receiving bag, if the waste receiving bag is placed such that the handles are oriented fore and aft, as is shown in Figure 16, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.

[00047] The apparatus also comprises a substantially horizontally oriented upper frame member 50 that is preferably made from wire and has a suitable plastic porous synthetic rubber coating. The upper frame member 50 has a curved "D"-shaped outer portion 52 that is shaped to readily receive a plastic bag thereon in overturned relation, as is shown in Figures 16 and 17. At the front of the upper frame member 50 is a downwardly directed bent tab 54 that is used to receive and retain the other handle of a waste receiving bag 29 -- the handle 28 that is not on the tab member 46 on the rear mounting plate 30 -- if the waste receiving bag 29 is placed such that the handles 28 are oriented fore and aft, as is shown in Figure 16.

[00048] The upper frame member 50 terminates at the back in substantially straight first and second end portions 56,58 that are received the four co-operating clips 43 on the left and right upper plate portions 41a,41b of the mounting plate 30. The forwardly extending left and right side portions 32,34 of the rear mounting plate 30 each have at their top edge a clip 35 for receiving and retaining the "D"-shaped outer portion 52 of the substantially horizontally oriented upper frame member 50 therein. In this manner, the substantially horizontally oriented upper frame member 50 is easily connected to the rear mounting plate 30 during assembly.

[00049] The upper frame member 50 extends outwardly from the mounting plate 30 for receiving the upper portion of a waste receiving bag 29 thereon, in folded-over relation. In this manner, the upper frame member 50 thereby defines the position of the mouth 29a of the waste receiving bag mounted thereon in an in-use configuration, with the waste receiving bag 29 ready to receive waste.

[00050] The apparatus 20 also comprises a lower frame member 60 that is suspended from the mounting plate 30. The lower frame member 60 is preferably made from wire, and in the preferred embodiment as illustrated, comprises left and right vertical arm portions 62, 64 and a horizontal bottom portion 66 interconnecting the left and right vertical arm portions 62,64. Each of the left and right vertical arm portions 62,64 terminates at their respective top ends in an outwardly directed horizontal tab portion 62a,64a. The horizontal tab portions 62a,64a are used to mount the lower frame member 60 into co-operating clips 37 at the bottom of the mounting plate 30.

[00051] The lower frame member 60 further comprises a generally horizontally oriented arm member 68 extending between and interconnecting the left and right vertical arm portions 62,64.
This generally horizontally oriented arm member 68 adds structural strength to the lower frame member 60. The horizontally oriented arm member 68 is rectangular in shape so as to act as a spacer and is welded to the left and right vertical arm portions.

[00052] Further, a cushioning pad 67 is mounted on the substantially horizontal arm member 68 for permanent connection to the substantially horizontal arm member 68. The cushioning pad 67 substantially surrounds the substantially horizontally oriented arm member 68 so as to be surely mounted thereon. The cushioning pad 69 rests against the cupboard door 22, or other substantially vertical surface that the apparatus is mounted to, to preclude the lower frame member 60 from scratching the wall or other substantially vertical surface. Further, the cushioning pad 67 has an adhesive on it to preclude the lower frame member 60 from coming away from the cupboard door 22 that it is mounted to when the cupboard door 22 is moved.

[00053] The apparatus 20 further comprises a bag holder 70 mounted in removable and replaceable relation on the lower frame member 60 by means of three clips 72 extending upwardly and rearwardly from the top of the bag holder 70. The bag holder 70 is for receiving and retaining a plurality of waste receiving bags 29 therein, prior to each waste receiving bag being in its in-use configuration suspended from the upper frame member 50. In the preferred embodiment as illustrated, the waste receiving bags 29 in the bag holder 70 are joined together one to another in a roll, and are retained within a cardboard container. Alternatively, a roll of waste receiving bags without a cardboard container could also be placed in the bag holder 70. If desired, separate waste receiving bags, such as plastic shopping bags, could also be folded, or otherwise compacted, and placed in the bag holder 70.

[00054] The bag holder 70 also has a left end wall 76 and a right end wall 78 to help keep the waste receiving bags in place in the bag holder 70. Left and right catch portions 76a,78a are disposed on the left and right end walls 76,78, respectively, and define left and right tab-receiving slots 76b,78b, respectively. The purpose of the tab-receiving slots 76b,78b, will be discussed subsequently.

[00055] The apparatus of the present invention further comprises a drip tray 80 removably supported by the bag holder 70. The drip tray 80, shown separately in Figure 18, includes left and right rearwardly extending flange portions 82,84 that are shaped and dimensioned to engage the left and right tab-receiving slots 76b,78b, respectively, in the left and right catch portions 76a,78a of the bag holder 70. The left and right rearwardly extending flange portions 82,84 each have a releasable securing tab 82a,84a that precludes the left and right rearwardly extending flange portions 82,84 from being removed from the left and right tab-receiving slots 76b,78b, unless the securing tabs 82a,84a are pressed inwardly.

[00056] Further, the left and right rearwardly extending flange portions 82,84 of the drip tray 80 each have an upwardly facing shoulder surface 86 that engages a co-operating downwardly facing surface 71 on the left and right catch portions 76a,78a of the bag holder 70, thus also maintaining the bag holder 70 in place, and precluding it from rotating downwardly. A pair of rearwardly extending flanges 88 engage the horizontal bottom portion of the lower frame member 60 to also preclude the drip tray 80 from rotating downwardly.

[00057] The left and right rearwardly extending flange portions 82,84 and the left and right tab-receiving slots 76b,78b, in the left and right catch portions 76a,78a are co-operatingly shaped and dimensioned such that the left and right rearwardly extending flange portions 82,84 can be inserted and removed only when the drip tray 80 is oriented at an angle such that it is raised slightly at the front.

[00058] The drip tray 80 also has a pair of legs 89 extending downwarly from back of drip tray 80, to keep bags 29 in the bag holder 70 from falling out. A horizontally elongate opening 81 permits bags 29 to be drawn from the bag holder 70.

[00059] The apparatus 20 further comprises a lid 90 for selective placement in a covering position, as can be seen in Figures 1 through 12 and 14 and 15, over the upper frame member 50, thereby covering the mouth 29a of the waste receiving bag 29. The lid 90 is mounted in hinged relation on the mounting plate 30 by means of four hinge clips 92 extending rearwardly from the back of the lid 90 so as to engage the horizontal lid mounting bar 44. The lid 90 is thereby mounted in hinged relation on the mounting plate 30 for movement between a closed position, as is best seen in Figures 1 through 12 and 14 and 15, and an opened position, as is best seen in Figure 13. In the closed position, the lid 90 is disposed over the upper frame member 50 and over the mouth 29a of the waste .receiving bag 29 that is suspended from the upper frame member 50 in its in-use figuration, to thereby preclude odours from escaping from the waste receiving bag.

[00060] In the opened position, the plastic lid 90 is removed from its closed covering position over the upper frame member 50, and waste can be deposited into the waste receiving bag.

[00061] Reference will now be made to Figures 19 and 20, which show the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste 20 installed on the cupboard door 22. In Figure 19 the cupboard door 22 is closed and in Figure 20 the cupboard door is opened. The cord 96 is tied at one end 96a to a first cord terminal 98 that is removably secured to the back of the lid 90 at an aperture 94. The opposite other end of the cord 96b is tied to a second cord terminal 99 that is secured to the actual cupboard structure 23.
When the cupboard door 22 is opened, the cord 96 pulls on the lid 90 to move it from its closed covering position (Figure 19) to its open position (Figure 20). There are small tabs 45 (best seen in Figures 16 and 17) on the top of the horizontal lid mounting bar 44. These small tabs 45 provide an interference fit that help retain the lid 90 in its open position.

[00062] As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides an apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, which apparatus properly accommodates small plastic garbage bags, which apparatus readily receives and retains plastic grocery bags with handles located at the edges or in the middle, which apparatus is adjustable in height, which apparatus permits drips from an in-use bag to be caught and subsequently emptied into a desired receiving location, which apparatus permits drips from an in-use bag to be caught during transport of the bag to another location and subsequently emptied into a desired receiving location, which apparatus fits into a small retail package, which apparatus which apparatus readily stores a plurality of plastic garbage bags, and which apparatus readily stores a small box of plastic garbage bags, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.

[00063] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus for temporarily containing household waste of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for temporarily containing household waste, said apparatus comprising:

a mounting plate for mounting said apparatus on a substantially vertical surface;

an upper frame member extending outwardly from said mounting plate for receiving the upper portion of a waste receiving bag thereon in folded-over relation and thereby defining the position of the mouth said waste receiving bag mounted thereon in an in-use configuration;

a lower frame member suspended from said mounting plate; and, a bag holder mounted on one of said mounting plate, said upper frame member, and said lower frame member for receiving and retaining a plurality of waste receiving bags, prior to being in said in-use configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bag holder is mounted on said lower frame member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drip tray supported by said bag holder.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said drip tray is removably supported by said bag holder.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting plate is substantially vertically oriented.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upper frame member is substantially horizontally oriented.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lid for selective placement in a closed covering position over said upper frame member, thereby covering the mouth of said waste receiving bag.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said lid is mounted in hinged relation on said mounting plate for movement between said closed covering position whereat said lid is disposed over said upper frame member and opened position whereat said lid is removed from said closed covering position over said upper frame member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upper frame member is made from wire.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said upper frame member has a curved "D"-shaped outer portion and terminates at the back in substantially straight first and second end portions.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said substantially straight first and second end portions of said upper frame member are received in a co-operating clips in said mounting plate.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rear back plate further comprises forwardly extending left and right side portions.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said left and right side portions each have at least one tab thereon for receiving and retaining the handle loops of a waste receiving bag.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said left and right side portions each have a plurality of tabs thereon for receiving and retaining the handle loops of a waste receiving bag.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lower frame member is made from wire.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lower frame member comprises left and right vertical arm portions and a bottom portion interconnecting said left and right vertical arm portions.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, where each said left and right vertical arm portion terminates at their respective top ends in a horizontal tab portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lower frame member further comprises a generally horizontally oriented arm member extending between said left and right vertical arm portions.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said curved outer portion of said upper frame member has a downwardly projecting tab portion for receiving and retaining one handle loop of a waste receiving bag.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting plate includes a tab member for receiving and retaining one handle of a waste receiving bag.