US20020148836A1

US20020148836A1 - Portable novel trash receptacle

Info

Publication number: US20020148836A1
Application number: US09/834,702
Authority: US
Inventors: Cathy Santa Cruz; Kimberly Young
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-13
Filing date: 2001-04-13
Publication date: 2002-10-17

Abstract

A portable novel trash receptacle which encourages children as well as adults to practice proper disposal ethics. The receptacle is small in size and can be stored in a convenient location such as beneath a vehicle seat, and also may include means for rewarding the user in a fun manner.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to trash receptacles in general but more specifically pertains to a small portable novelty trash receptacle which is most functional for disposal of small items such as candy wrappers, or the like. Also, the container can be easily stored in a compact manner, such as beneath a vehicle seat, it is fun to use, and the container is aesthetically pleasing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the known prior art, there have been many different types of trash receptacles or containers proposed, but most are generally very large and are not of a shape and size to be easily transported, nor can they be conveniently stored in a compact manner when not in use.

One example of a unique trash receptacle is taught within U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,572 entitled “COMBINED TRASH RECEPTACLE FOR TABLE USE”, issued to Winthrop M. Leeds. Wherein they provide a trash receptacle which is strictly designed for use with a dinner table setting and may be combined with an ashtray, a lamp stand, a candle holder, or a flower vase.

Another prior art example is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,031 entitled “COMBINATION PORTABLE SEAT AND TRASH CONTAINER”, issued to Patterson Jack O. Wherein they substantially provide a chair having a trash receptacle formed therein.

Still another example of prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,672 entitled “ECONOMICAL AND COLLAPSIBLE WASTE BASKET”, issued to Te-Liang He. Wherein they teach a trash container which is formed from collapsible wire supports which when assembled can removably accept a trash bag thereon.

Each of the above noted prior art examples are functional for their intended use but none provide the unusual results and novel aspects as taught herein. Thus, the applicants contend the present invention recognizes, addresses, and resolves a problem that has not been solved in an efficient manner within the known prior art.

For example, while traveling in a vehicle the applicants found that with small children, such items like candy wrappers are usually just tossed on the floor or into the ashtray. This is not only quite a nuisance, but is most unsightly, and does not encourage proper disposal ethics which is very important, especially with today's major concerns regarding our environment and proper disposal or recycling methods.

Therefore, the applicants contend that it would be most advantageous to provide a trash receptacle which is fun to use, is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and encourages proper disposal methods in children as well as adults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which can be used for containment and disposal of small items, such as candy wrappers, tissues, gum, etc.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which is compact in size so as to be easily transported, even by a small child.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which is of a shape and size to be easily stored or concealed in a small space, such as beneath the seat in a vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which can be produced in various shapes and sizes of engineering choice. For example, the receptacle may be in the form of an egg shape, oblong, rectangular, triangular, etc. and it may have a flat section so it will not easily roll if desirable. Also in the preferred embodiment, it is approximately equal in size to a small coffee can. But it is to be understood this size is only exemplary and it may be slightly smaller or larger.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which can be made from a variety of materials of engineering choice, such as rubber, wood, aluminum, etc. or any other environmentally friendly material. However, in the preferred embodiment it is made from a recyclable material, such as plastic or the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which can be hand-washed, or it can be machined washed if preferred.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which may be internally coated with a nonstick type substance so as not to easily adhere to certain materials, such as candy wrappers which may be sticky. For example, a suitable substance may include a thin coat of SILICONE, or an oil based spray such as PAM may be most efficient.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which provides at least one internal compartment for containment of refuse.

Also another object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which includes closure means and allows a user to easily open and close the receptacle. Thus when the receptacle is full, it can be opened and the contents can then be easily disposed of in a proper environmentally friendly manner.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle having an opening which allows a user to easily insert refuse there through, such as a gum wrapper may be easily inserted into the noted compartment without having to open the receptacle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which may include at least one recessed cavity for containment of various items of user choice. For example, such suitable items may include but are not limited too, wet-wipes, tissues, a map, coins, a first aid kit, a sewing kit or the like.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle having novelty features of engineering choice. For example, the receptacle may include a whistle formed thereon. Thus when a user disposes of their refuse in the proper manner, they can blow the whistle which is not only fun for them but encourages others to engage in the practice as well. Other novelties may include bells or animal noises which may be push-button actuated, etc.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which may be sold as an accessory item respective to a vehicle at the time of purchase. Thus, the receptacle may be color coordinated to match the interior of the vehicle, or the like.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable novel trash receptacle which may include attachment means for removably attaching the receptacle onto a fixed location of choice. For example, the receptacle may include a loop and pile fastener such as VELCRO which allows the user to removably position the receptacle onto the carpet within the vehicle, or the like.

Other objects and advantages will be seen and understood when taken into consideration with the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective plan view of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. [0024]
FIG. 2 is substantially a side view of a second embodiment for the present invention including a first reusable opening and closure means. [0025]
FIG. 3 is substantially a cut-a-way side view showing a second type of reusable opening and closure means. [0026]
FIG. 4 is substantially a cut-a-way side view showing a third type of reusable opening and closure means. [0027]
FIG. 5 is substantially a perspective view depicting a first article. [0028]
FIG. 6 is substantially a top view depicting one embodiment for a lid. [0029]
FIG. 7 is substantially a perspective view depicting a box. [0030]
FIG. 8 is substantially a perspective view depicting a whistle. [0031]
FIG. 9 is substantially a perspective view depicting a loop and pile fastener.[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like elements throughout the various views. The present invention is a portable novel trash receptacle ([0033] 10) which can be substantially made of any suitable material of engineering choice, such as plastic or the like. Also, trash receptacle (10) can be of any preferred shape or size of engineering choice, such as round, hexagonal, triangular, etc. Or as depicted in FIG. 1 it may be in the form of a small coffee can which is very efficient. Or as depicted in FIG. 2, it may be oblong in shape, or the like.
Trash receptacle ([0034] 10) is formed having at least one internal hollow cavity (12) and an opening (14) which is in open communication with internal hollow cavity (12). Opening (14) further having reusable opening and closure means which provides access to internal hollow cavity (12). Thus, opening and closure means allows a user to easily open and close trash receptacle (10) so as to allow for easy proper disposal of the contents when the trash receptacle (10) has been filled.
It is to be understood any suitable type of reusable opening and closure means of engineering choice may be used. Therefore the following descriptions of some suitable reusable opening and closure means are simply exemplary and the invention is not to be limited thereto. [0035]
In FIGS. 1 & 2, we show the reusable opening and closure means being in the form of a cap ([0036] 16) which is of a shape and size to be frictionally engaged and removably retained over opening (14).
In FIG. 3 a second reusable opening and closure means is depicted which is in the form of an internally threaded cap ([0037] 18) and opening (14) includes external threads (20) for threadably receiving internally threaded cap (18) thereon.
In FIG. 4 a third reusable opening and closure means is depicted which is in the form of an externally threaded cap ([0038] 22) and opening (14) includes internal threads (24) for threadably receiving externally threaded cap (22) thereon. Also for convenience, externally threaded cap (22) may include an upraised member (23) which functions as a handle for easily attaching and removing externally threaded cap (22).
As depicted in FIGS. 1 & 2, trash receptacle ([0039] 10) further includes a second opening (24) which is of a shape and size to allow small sized refuse to be inserted there through and into hollow cavity (12). This allows a user to easily dispose of their litter, such as candy wrappers or the like, into trash receptacle (10) without the need to actually open trash receptacle (10). This is especially useful for children as they can dispose of their trash without having to open anything. Thus, this encourages proper disposal ethics.
It is to be understood second opening ([0040] 24) can be simply in the form of a rectangular slit, or it can be round, oval, in the shape of an animal, etc. The only restriction is that second opening (24) must not be too large so as to allow litter which has already been deposited within trash receptacle (10) to accidentally fall out.
As further depicted in FIG. 1, internal hollow cavity ([0041] 12) may be coated with a nonstick type substance (26) so as not to easily adhere to certain materials, such as candy wrappers which may be sticky. It is to be understood any suitable type of nonstick substance of engineering choice may be used, such as a thin coat of SILICONE, an oil based spray such as PAM, or the like. Also for ease and convenience, the user may wish to insert a liner such as a plastic garbage bag or the like.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 & 5, wherein trash receptacle ([0042] 10) further includes at least one recessed cavity (28) that can be used for containment of an article of user choice. For example, recessed cavity (28) may be used for storage of an article such as a package of wet-wipes (30). Or as depicted in FIG. 7, the article may be a box (32) having reusable opening and closure means. Thus, the user can store various items of choice within box (32), such as tissues, a map, coins, a first aid kit, a sewing kit, etc.
As previously stated, recessed cavity ([0043] 28) includes reusable opening and closure means. It is to be understood any suitable type of closure means of engineering choice may be used. Thus, we only show one type of closure means herein which is depicted in FIG. 6, which is in the form of a lid (34) that is of a shape and size to be removably frictionally engaged and retained within recessed cavity (28). Also, if preferred lid (34) may include an upraised lip (36) which functions as a handle for easily attaching and removing lid (34).
It is to be understood receptacle ([0044] 10) may be so designed as to include a flattened area (38) which can be located at any position on receptacle (10) according to engineering choice. This helps to prevent the receptacle (10) from sliding around or slipping from its desired location, such as when the receptacle is positioned beneath the seat in a vehicle.
To further secure receptacle ([0045] 10) onto a desired surface such as onto a vehicle door or carpet, we provide additional attachment means of engineering choice. For example, as depicted in FIG. 9, we show a typical loop and pile fastener (40) which is formed from a first loop member (40-A) and a pile member (40-B). Whereby, loop member (40-A) can be fixedly attached onto a desired mounting surface, while pile member (40-B) can be fixedly attached onto receptacle (10). Thus, loop member (40-A) and pile member (40-B) can be removably attached together and receptacle (10) can be removably attached onto the desired mounting surface of user choice.
Receptacle ([0046] 10) may further include novelty items such as a noise maker, which are fun and which encourage use of the product, as well as teaches good disposal ethics. For example in FIG. 8, we provide a whistle (42) which may be removably attached onto receptacle (10) by any suitable attachment means of choice, such as by a string (44) or the like, which can be tied onto a loop (46) located on receptacle (10). It is to be understood the novelty item may be integrally formed with receptacle (10) if so desired. It is to be further understood that the noted whistle (42) is only an example of one type of suitable noise maker and the present invention is not to be limited thereto.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus's.[0047]

Claims

What we claim as new and wish to secure by letters patent is:

1. A portable novel trash receptacle comprising: a receptacle having at least one internal hollow cavity, said receptacle having an opening which is in open communication with said internal hollow cavity, said opening having reusable opening and closure means which provides access to said internal hollow cavity, and said receptacle having a second opening which is of a shape and size to allow small sized refuse to be inserted there through and into said cavity.

2. The receptacle of claim 1 further includes said internal hollow cavity being coated with a nonstick substance.

3. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein said reusable opening and closure means is a cap which is of a shape and size to be frictionally engaged over said opening.

4. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein said reusable opening and closure means is an internally threaded cap and said opening having external threads for threadably receiving said internally threaded cap.

5. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein said reusable opening and closure means is an externally threaded cap and said opening having internal threads for threadably receiving said externally threaded cap.

6. The receptacle of claim 1 further includes a recessed cavity for containment of an article and said recessed cavity having reusable opening and closure means.

7. The receptacle of claim 6 wherein said article is a package of wet-wipes.

8. The receptacle of claim 6 wherein said reusable opening and closure means is a lid which is of a shape and size to be removably frictionally engaged and retained within said recessed cavity.

9. The receptacle of claim 6 wherein said article is a box having reusable opening and closure means.

10. The receptacle of claim 1 further includes a noisemaker.

11. The receptacle of claim 10 wherein said noisemaker is a whistle.