Receptacles – Closures – Pivotable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-22
2001-01-16
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Pivotable,
C220S475000, C220S825000, C220S836000, C220S840000, C220S675000, C220S771000, C220S908000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173861
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to waste, trash and refuse containers for indoor and outdoor use. More particularly, a waste container assembly of the present invention is of the general type having a container body with a closed lid and a swinging lid door for accessing an interior of the container body.
Waste container assembies having lids with swinging doors are common commercial and household items. Such containers typically comprise a waste receptacle with an upper rim, a lid dimensioned to rest on or fit over the upper rim to close the receptacle, and a door pivotably connected to the lid for providing access to an interior of the waste receptacle. Such container assemblies are frequently used outdoors where they may be exposed to rain and other environmental elements. Lids with pivoting doors make it easy for a user to deposit waste into the container, without leaving the container interior exposed to rainwater and other environmental elements. Such lid assemblies also help to keep debris and odors inside the container.
One such prior art lid assembly includes a lid with a generally dome-shaped exterior that directs rain water thereover to the outside of the waste container. A recess formed in a forward portion of the domed lid extends inwardly and terminates at an inward vertical opening. A mounting bracket is mechanically fastened to an upper portion of an interior surface of the domed lid above the opening. A door is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket for swinging movement inwardly and outwardly to open and close the lid opening. In another prior art lid assembly, the lid further comprises at least one metal spring for biasing the door outwardly toward its closed position.
A problem with conventional waste container assemblies is that numerous parts, including mounting brackets, mechanical fasteners, and springs are required for pivotally mounting the door to the lid body and for biasing the door toward a closed position. Such multi-component assemblies add to manufacturing and labor cost, and make for a cumbersome assembly process. Also, metal components, such as mounting brackets, mechanical fasteners and springs are susceptible to corrosion, especially when such assemblies are used outdoors for extended periods of time. Waste container assemblies having metal components can also be rather noisy (e.g., a spring-biased metal door returning quickly to its closed position and crashing against the metal rim of the lid, squeeky metal springs or pivot pins, etc.) making them undesireable for use in quiet places, such as hospitals or libraries. Another shortcoming of conventional waste container assemblies is that they do not incorporate a simple and effective means for anchoring or otherwise securing the container assembly to a secure object, so as to prevent theft and to prevent overturning due to adverse weather conditions, such as high winds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a waste container assembly having a simple but effective construction. An object of the invention is to provide a functional waste container assembly with a minimal number of parts. Another object is to provide a waste container assembly having components that arc quieter during operation and less susceptible to corrosion. Yet another object is to provide a waste container assembly that incorporates a simple but effective means for anchoring or securing the container assembly to a secure object. Another general object is to provide a waste container assembly that is less costly to manufacture and that can be easily assembled and disassembled without tools.
In general, a waste container assembly of the present invention comprises a container body, a lid body, a flange and a door. The container body has an upper rim. The lid body has an outer surface extending from a top of the lid body to a lower portion of the lid body. The lower portion of the lid body is shaped and adapted for engagement with the upper rim of the container body. The flange extends from the lid body and has an inner rim that at least partially defines an opening in the lid body. The door is positioned adjacent the opening in the lid body and is pivotally connected to the flange for selectively moving the door between open and closed positions relative to the lid body. The door is adapted to substantially cover the opening in the lid body when the door is in its closed position.
In another aspect of the present invention, a waste container assembly comprises a container body, a lid body and a door pivotally connected to the lid body. The lid body has an inner rim that at least partially defines an opening in the lid body. The door is pivotally connected to the lid body for pivoting movement of the door between open and closed positions relative to the lid body about a pivot axis. The door has a rim engaging portion adapted for engagement with the inner rim of the lid body when the door is in its closed position. The door and lid body are configured so that the pivot axis is spaced outwardly from a vertical plane that passes through at least a portion of the inner rim.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a waste container assembly comprises a container body and a lid assembly, which includes a monolithic lid body and a monolithic door. The monolithic lid body has a generally closed upper portion and a container engaging lower portion. The lower portion of the lid body is shaped and adapted for engagement with an upper rim of the container body. The upper portion of the lid body has an opening. The monolithic door is pivotally connected to the lid body for pivoting movement of the door between open and closed positions relative to the lid body about a pivot axis. The door is adapted to substantially cover the opening in the lid body when the door is in its closed position.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a waste container assembly comprises a container body and a boss. The container body has a bottom and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom. The side wall at least partially defines a container interior. The boss extends from an exterior surface of the container side wall. The boss has a hole adapted to receive a portion of a retaining member for securing the waste container assembly to a secure object.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
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Contico International LLC
Eloshway Niki M.
Howell & Haferkamp L.C.
Shoap Allan N.
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