Receptacles – Closures – Pivotable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-13
2001-03-27
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Pivotable,
C220S825000, C220S908000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206231
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cover for a waste can, and more particularly a cover for a waste can which is capable of three modes of operation for opening the waste can, to wit: (1) backward tilt; (2) backward tilt with lock; and (3) forward tilt.
2. Description of Related Art
Waste can covers are traditionally used to cover waste cans until access thereto is desired, at which time they are opened to allow trash to be thrown therein. Closed lids prevent accidental entry of non-trash therein, prevent accidental removal of trash therefrom, and they aid in keeping any unpleasant odors from escaping into the room. Open lids allow ingress thereto for trash. Some covers, like garbage can covers, are of a single piece and must be totally removed from their garbage cans to open the cans. Other covers, like household waste can tilt-lid types, include lids which are temporarily opened to allow access to the interior of the waste can and are returned automatically to the closed position either by a spring or by gravitational forces.
The prior art is replete with waste can covers. The closest known representative samples include U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,052 to Mayers, U.S. Pat. No. 3,989.162 to Hodge el al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,813 to Kehl, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,478 to Miller et al.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a cover for a receptacle that is easily removable to allow replacement of a liner.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cover for a receptacle in which the lid of the cover closes automatically after use.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cover for a receptacle that can be selectively locked open if desired.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cover for a receptacle that can be opened by depressing either the front or the back of the lid.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cover for a receptacle that comprises a minimal number of elements that are economical to manufacture.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved by means of a cover comprising only three elements: a collar; a lid; and a spring link, so-named because it functions both as a linkage between the collar and the lid and a spring for biasing the lid closed. Three modes of operation are made possible by the location of a pair of parallel pivot axes, one between the lid and the spring link and the other between the spring link and the collar.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1810019 (1931-06-01), Jaworsky
patent: 1989142 (1935-01-01), Levy
patent: 2800244 (1957-07-01), Witt
patent: 3127052 (1964-03-01), Mayers
patent: 3342368 (1967-09-01), Matry
patent: 3749274 (1973-07-01), Mele
patent: 3989162 (1976-11-01), Hodge et al.
patent: 4649813 (1987-03-01), Kehl
patent: 4776478 (1988-10-01), Miller et al.
patent: 6065626 (2000-05-01), Huang et al.
Pollard Steven
SAIDMAN DesignLaw Group
Umbra Inc.
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