Receptacles – Closures – With closure opening arrangements for means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-04
2001-12-25
Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
With closure opening arrangements for means
C220S820000, C220S821000, C220S823000, C220S824000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332551
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to refuse containers and more specifically to a container with a lid that automatically recloses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although refuse containers are available in many shapes and sizes, these many shapes and sizes do not provide a means for disposing of refuse that is adequately sanitary, user friendly and maintains the refuse in the manner relatively free from view once disposed. For example, the most basic refuse container with a lid consists of a receptacle with a hat-like lid that must be lifted using a knob or handle to throw waste into the receptacle. This design requires two hands and undesirably exposes the contents of the receptacle and may release odors associated with waste.
Another typical refuse container consists of a receptacle with a prism-shaped lid having a door that swings to and fro on a horizontal axis and is accessible from two sides. Although this design minimizes unwanted odors, does not unnecessarily expose the already disposed of waste and generally requires only one hand to push back the door, the refuse, as well as the user's hand which follows, invariably contacts the outside of the door, rendering this design unsanitary.
Yet another commonly used refuse container consists of a receptacle with a dome-shaped or square-shaped lid having a spring-loaded door which must be firmly pushed inward to dispose of waste. Similar to the prism-shaped container, although this design reduces unwanted odors and keeps the refuse relatively free from view, the refuse, as well as the user's hand which follows, invariably contacts the outside of the door, rendering this design unsanitary. Oftentimes, the resistance of these spring-loaded doors is so high that an inordinate amount of pressure is required to push the door open and the user's hand frequently becomes trapped or otherwise pinched between the door and the inside surface of the container. Typically the user must use a second hand to hold the door open while dropping the waste in the container to prevent the door from prematurely closing. Furthermore, the user's hand necessarily must enter the container to an extent necessary to drop the waste in the receptacle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a container that is sanitary and self-closing.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a lid for a refuse container that is sanitary and self-closing.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a refuse container that reduces odors, conceals unsightly waste already in the container, facilitates one-handed disposal and minimiizes contact between the user's hands and the refuse already in the container.
A preferred embodiment of the improved container of the invention, comprises: a receptacle having at least one opening; and a lid adapted to releasably cover at least a portion of the receptacle opening, comprising, one or more lower leaves having one or more ports, through which at least a portion of the receptacle opening may be accessed and having a perimeter defining a plane; one or more upper leaves, which, in a closed position, covers one or more of the ports and which, in an open position, exposes at least a portion of one or more of the ports, wherein one or more of the upper leaves, when in an open position, is adapted to return automatically to a closed position by a means for rotating about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane. One or more of the upper leaves may further comprise an upper axle assembly and one or more of the lower leaves may further comprise a lower axle assembly adapted to receive at least a portion of the upper axle assembly. The means for rotating may comprise a ramp fixed to the lower leaf and a wheel, fixed to the upper leaf, adapted to roll up the ramp as the upper leaf is moved to the open position and to roll down the ramp to the closed position. In effect, the upper leaf is raised and lowered due to the spiraling action of the means for rotating as it rolls up and down the ramp which spirals around the axis of the leaves. An energy absorbing member may also be provided on the ramp to slow down the upper leaf's rate of return to a closed position.
A depression may be provided in the lower leaf for receiving the wheel when the upper leaf is in the closed position to releasably maintaining the upper leaf in the closed position and a trough may be provided in the upper leaf for receiving the wheel when the upper leaf is in an open position for releasably maintaining the upper leaf in the open position.
The upper axle assembly preferably comprises an axle along the axis and the lower axle assembly comprises an axle supporting member, wherein the an axle supporting member comprises a bore adapted to receive at least a portion of the axle.
Alternatively the means for rotating may comprise an extension spring having two opposing ends, wherein one end is secured to the lower leaf and the other end is secured to the upper leaf; a ramp fixed to the lower leaf; and a tooth member, fixed to the upper leaf and adapted to slide up the ramp as the upper leaf is moved to the open position and to slide down the ramp to the closed position. Similarly, lower leaf may further comprises a depression for receiving the tooth member when the upper leaf is in the closed position to releasably maintaining the upper leaf in the closed position; and the upper leaf may further comprise a trough for receiving the tooth member when the upper leaf is in an open position for releasably maintaining the upper leaf in the open position. The upper axle assembly preferably comprises an axle along the axis and the lower axle assembly comprises an axle support member, wherein the axle support member preferably comprises a bore. The container may also be provided with a locking fastener provided with a shoulder and adapted to pass through the bore of the axle support member and fix to the upper axle assembly; and a compression spring provided about a portion of the locking fastener and juxtaposed between the shoulder and the axle support member.
The lid of the container of the preferred embodiment may further comprise one or more of the following: a means to prevent the upper leaf from over rotating, wherein the means to prevent the upper leaf from over rotating preferably comprises an interference member fixed to the upper leaf and a back stop provided in the lower leaf; and one or more security baffles.
Another preferred embodiment of the container of the invention comprises: a receptacle having at least one opening; and a lid adapted to releasably cover at least a portion of the receptacle opening, comprising, one or more lower leaves having one or more ports, through which at least a portion of the receptacle opening may be accessed and having a perimeter defining a plane; one or more upper leaves, which, in a closed position, covers one or more of the ports and which, in an open position, exposes at least a portion of one or more of the ports, wherein one or more of the upper leaves, when in an open position, is adapted to return automatically to a closed position by a means for rotating about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane; wherein one or more of the upper leaves comprises an upper axle assembly and a wheel fixed to the upper leaf; and wherein one or more of the lower leaves further comprises a lower axle assembly adapted to receive at least to a portion of the upper axle assembly and a ramp fixed to the lower leaf so that the wheel is adapted to roll up the ramp as the upper leaf is moved to the open position and to roll down the ramp to the closed position. The upper axle assembly preferably comprises an axle along the axis and the lower axle assembly comprises a bore adapted to receive at least a portion of the axle.
The lower leaf may further comprise a depression for receiving the wheel when the upper leaf is in the closed position to releasably maintaining the upper leaf in the closed position; and wherein the u
Mirick O'Connell DeMallie & Lougee LLP
Newhouse Nathan J.
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