US20030121922A1

US20030121922A1 - Trash recptacle liner storace unit

Info

Publication number: US20030121922A1
Application number: US10/034,489
Authority: US
Inventors: Michelle Lawrence
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-03
Filing date: 2002-01-03
Publication date: 2003-07-03

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, an easily portable trash receptacle liner storage unit is provided to fit into a commercially available trash receptacle. The liner storage unit has a provision for storing unused trash receptacle liners. It also a provision for adding weight to allow dispensing a trash receptacle liner without lifting the unit from the bottom of the receptacle

Description

I FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention primarily relates to trash can receptacles, and is directed to a device to allow for storage and retrieval of additional trash can liners on an individual basis.

II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, most users of conventional trash receptacles store and retrieve trash can liners in a location remote from the actual trash receptacle. This method of storage can cause problems for a user who needs to insert a new liner into the trash receptacle, such as difficulty locating replacement liners. While prior art discloses various devices which address some of the problems associated with the storage and retrieval of trash receptacle liners, most of the prior art is far too complex for practical application and depends upon custom made trash receptacles. Furthermore, the prior art fails to allow for implementation of a storage system suitable for ordinary commercially available trash liners.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,579 discloses a device for positionally retaining a flexible trash bag liner relative to a trash receptacle. This device merely allows for retention of a trash receptacle liner and does not have a provision for storing trash receptacle liners.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,505 discloses a trash receptacle lining system. This invention relies upon a custom trash receptacle and/or uses a complicated method of storing liners.

III SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A. Objects of the Invention

One object of the present invention is to provide means to store trash receptacle liners in a standard, readily available trash receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to allow the trash receptacle liner storage unit to be moved from one trash receptacle to another.

Another object of the invention is to allow the use of ordinary trash receptacle liners of various sizes and shapes.

B. Summary

In accordance with the present invention, an easily portable trash receptacle liner storage unit is provided to fit into a commercially available trash receptacle. The liner storage unit has a provision for storing unused trash receptacle liners. It also includes a provision for adding weight to allow dispensing a trash receptacle liner without lifting the unit from the bottom of the receptacle.

IV. THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention, showing a cutaway of a circular trash receptacle with the invention resting on the bottom. [0009]
FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the invention. [0010]
FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention. [0011]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention, showing a rectangular trash receptacle with the invention resting on the bottom. [0012]
FIG. 5 is a top view of the second embodiment of the invention. [0013]
FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention. [0014]

V. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the invention generally at [0015] 10. Storage unit 30 is resting in the bottom of circular trash receptacle 20. Trash receptacle liner roll 40 is shown inside storage unit 30, which may be made of durable plastic, metal, or other suitable material. In FIGS. 2 and 3, storage unit 30 comprises top 32, bottom chamber 33, and latches 37. Bottom chamber 33 comprises spout 34 and cap 35. A heavy substance 45 such as sand, water, lead shot, etc. may be introduced into bottom chamber 33 via spout 34. Closing cap 35 will keep weight 45 inside bottom chamber 33 should the storage unit be tilted. Latches 37 keep top 32 firmly attached to bottom chamber 33 while easily allowing top 32 to be removed for replenishing the receptacle liner roll 40. Opening 39 has smooth edges to facilitate easy dispensing of the individual commercially available trash receptacle liners from roll 40, while being small enough to prevent the entire roll from being lifted out of the storage unit. In use, a liner is drawn up through opening 39, opened, and stretched over the rim of trash receptacle 20. When full, the trash receptacle liner is lifted out of the trash receptacle. This action pulls the next trash receptacle liner from roll 40, allowing the user to easily position it in the receptacle for use.
FIG. 2 shows the second embodiment of the invention generally at [0016] 50. Storage unit 70 is resting in the bottom of rectangular trash receptacle 60. Trash receptacle liner roll 40 is shown inside storage unit 70, which may be made of durable plastic, metal, or other suitable material. In FIGS. 5 and 6, storage unit 70 comprises top 72, bottom chamber 73, and latches 37. Bottom chamber 73 comprises spout 74 and cap 75. A heavy substance 45 such as sand, water, lead shot, etc. may be introduced into bottom chamber 73 via spout 74. Closing cap 75 will keep weight 45 inside bottom chamber 73 should the storage unit be tilted. Latches 37 keep top 72 firmly attached to bottom chamber 73 while easily allowing top 72 to be removed for replenishing the receptacle liner roll 40. Opening 79 has smooth edges to facilitate easy dispensing of the individual commercially available trash receptacle liners from roll 40, while being small enough to prevent the entire roll from being lifted out of the storage unit.
In use, a liner is drawn up through [0017] opening 79, opened, and stretched over the rim of trash receptacle 60. When full, the trash receptacle liner is lifted out of the trash receptacle. This action pulls the next trash receptacle liner from roll 40, allowing the user to easily position it in the receptacle for use.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A trash receptacle liner storage unit comprising:

a housing having an enclosed bottom; and

attaching means for attaching said housing to said enclosed bottom.

2. A trash receptacle liner storage unit according to claim 1 wherein said storage unit is sized to fit commercially available trash receptacle.

3. A trash receptacle liner storage unit according claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a housing opening of a size and shape sufficient to allow dispensing individual trash receptacle liners while preventing the remainder of said liners from being lifted out of the housing.

4. A trash receptacle liner storage unit according claim 1 wherein said enclosed bottom includes weight means to resist said storage unit from being lifted from said trash receptacle during normal use.

5. A trash receptacle liner storage unit according claim 4 wherein said weight means includes introduction and retaining means to introduce a heavy substance into the enclosed bottom, and to retain the substance from being lost.

6. A trash receptacle liner storage unit according to claim 5 wherein said heavy substance is selected from water, sand, lead shot and mixtures thereof.

7. A trash receptacle liner storage unit according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises at least two latches located on opposite sides of said storage unit.

8. A trash receptacle liner storage unit according to claim 7 wherein said latches include latch opening means for opening said latches to allow said housing to be removed for replenishing said trash receptacle liners.