US3851790A

US3851790A - Litter and trash receptacles

Info

Publication number: US3851790A
Application number: US00335682A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Kasper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-26
Filing date: 1973-02-26
Publication date: 1974-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-03

Abstract

A litter and trash receptacle formed from a conventional ''''tin'''' can wherein a hook shaped element is secured to the rim of the can and is movable from a position below the rim to a position above the rim such that the can can be hung above ground level for the collection of trash or the like.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,851,790

Kasper Dec. 3, 1974 [54] LITTER AND TRASH RECEPTACLES 2,592,212 4/1952 Turner 1. 248/359 X 2,680,533 6/1954 Cole 220/18 inventor: Mchael Kaslpel" 924 Delaware 3,128,981 4/1964 PuelSCh et a1. 248/DIG. 7 Olefin, NY 14760 3,138,432 6/1964 1416111116115 206 806 3,299,442 1/1967 White et a1. 248/359 X [22] 1973 3,484,013 12/1969 Speicher 215/100 [21] Appl. No.: 335,682

Primary Examiner-William 1. Price 52 0.8. Ci 220/85 R, 206/216, 206/806, Assismm Examiner-Douglas Farrow 220/18, 220/91, 248/360 [51] Int. Cl. B65d 25/22 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 220/18, 85 R, 91, 92;

248/359 360 DIG. 206/216 806 A litter and trash receptacle formed from a coriventional tin can wherein a hook shaped element is se- [56] References Cited cured to the rim of the can and is movable from a position below the rim to a position above the rim such UNITED STATES PATENTS that the can can be hung above ground level for the 1 Knapp v collection of trash or the like 359,826 3/1887 Walsh 220/91 674,489 5/1901 Wall 220/91 X 5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTELBEC' are sum 10;:

PATENTEL B W4 sum 2 UF 2 FIGAA LITTER AND TRASH RECEPTACLES The present invention relates to receptacles and,

more particularly, to such receptacles for the collection and storage of trash or litter.

Trash or litter collection receptacles are not usually very plentiful in many places such as picnic areas. Moreover, even where such receptacles are available they usually rest upon the ground, making them more vulnerable to spillage as by animal attack or the like. Additionally, ground contacting metal containers tend to rust, which prematurely shortens their lives.

The foregoing disadvantages are overcome according to the teachings of the present invention which provides trash receptacles that are functional, efficient and long lasting.

According to one aspect of the present invention, conventional tin cans of the type that contain food products such as vegetables, fruits and the like are converted to convenient trash receptacles after they are emptied of their normal contents.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, various forms of attachments to the above mentioned converted cans, as well as to conventional trash cans are provided to permit them to be supported in a non-ground contacting position.

Basically, then, the present invention provides means for converting conventional tin cans to perform a refuse containing function which comprises a hanging implement incorporated into the rim of such container and movable from a first position parallel to the side and below the rim of the can to a second position substantially diametrically opposed to the first position whereat the implement extends above the rim of the can.

Additionally, a further implement such as a nail or screw may be incorporated as a part of the can to make a useful self-contained assemble that can be quickly hung on a tree or the like after the normal contents of the container are exhausted.

Larger trash containers may be provided with means to attach the same for support above ground level, which means may be located near an upper portion of the container. There also may be provided resilient means for securing the bottom portion of the can against movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

' FIG. I represents a pictorial schematic view of a receptacle according to the present invention;

FIG. IA is a fragmentary view of a slight modification of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B is a fragmentary view of a second modification of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 represents a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the receptacle as seen in the direction of line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a receptacle illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4A4A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 5A illustrates a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 58 illustrates a sixth embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of a receptacle illustrating an additional means for aiding in the support of the receptacles above ground level.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIG. 1, a generally conventional receptacle, commonly termed a tin can, is depicted generally by the numeral 10 and comprises a generally cylindrical sidewall or body section 12 terminating at an upper end in an annular rim 14 and at a lowermost portion in a bottom wall or end 16.

Annular rim 14 is rolled forming an inverted U- shaped channel 18 into a portion of which is inserted means 20 for affixing the receptacle to a suitable support structure (not illustrated). Means 20 may comprise an elongated portion 22 depending from an upper portion 24 located in channel 18 adjacent rim 14, along sidewall 12 and terminating in a substantially U-shaped hook portion 26. Portion 24 is fixed in channel 18 by suitable means such as welds 28. Any other suitable means for fixing portion 24 may be utilized, such as a tight fit, for example. Means 20 is fabricated of a material, such as thin metal, which is sufficiently flexible to permit

portions

22 and 26 to move with respect to portion 24 from a position along wall 12 below rim 14 to the dashed line position shown in FIG. 2 which is substantially degrees displaced extending above rim 14.

Suitable support implements in the form of flat headed nail 30 and eye screws 32 may be suitably fixed by welds 34 or the like to bottom wall 16.

In the operation of the invention as thus far described, when the normal contents, such as vegetables, of can 10 are exhausted and it is desired to use the same for the collection of litter or trash, implement 32 or 34 is removed and driven into a structure such as a tree. Then

portions

22 and 26 of means 20 is bent about rim 14 to the dashed line position of FIG. 2. In which position U-shaped portion can be easily hung on implement 32 or 34. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B slightly different shapes of affixing means may be provided at 20 and 20".

With larger receptacles such as 20 to 30 gallon trash cans alternative forms of support can be provided as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 5A, and SB. Thus, in FIGS. 4 and 4A a pair of plates 40 having suitable openings 42, such as the key hole shaped openings illustrated, are suitably affixed to inner and outer portions of side wall 44 of a conventional trash can 46. The side wall has an opening 47 aligned with openings 42. Openings 42 may cooperate with any typical implement on a stationary structure for supporting the trash can above ground level. In FIG. S a plate 40 replaces plates 40 in which opening 42' is spaced further away from the wall of the can 44. In FIG. 5A plate 40" is hook shaped instead of the key hole opening of FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 5B a plate 40" is provided which is similar to plate 40 except that an inverted V-shaped'open'ing is provided at 42".

As shown in FIG. 5A plate 40" is located in the depression of the trash and secured with two bolts or rivets. Alternatively the plate can be located on the ridge and can be secured by four bolts or rivets in the depression.

FIG. 6 illustrates a tensioning device that may be used with each of the previously described trash receptacles for maintaining the bottom portions thereof firmly against the support structure from which the receptacles are hung. Thus a stationary member which may be in the form ofa board 50 is provided with a plurality of spaced

hooks

52 and 54. A resilient strap or belt 56 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 58 at one end 60 and a plurality of spaced openings 62 at its other end 64. The strap is adapted to wrap about the lower portion of a trash can 66 with

openings

58 and 52 thereof attached to

hooks

52 and 54 to prevent the lowermost portion of the trash can from moving when the upper most portion is secured to a support by one of the previously described elements. The resiliency of strap 56 provides sufficient tension to prevent movement and the openings therein provide for various sized cans.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A litter receptacle, comprising;

a. an upper annular rim.

b. a side wall depending from said rim.

c. a bottom end fixed to said side wall.

d. means located adjacent said rim for affixing said receptacle to a support structure above ground level, and

e. means removably attached to said bottom end for supporting said means for affixing when removed and applied to a support structure.

2. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein;

f. said means for affixing comprises an element having one portion fixed to one of said side wall and rim and a second portion movable with respect to said one portion from a position along said side wall below said rim to a position substantially degrees displaced to a position extending above said rim.

3. The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein;

g. said second portion is flexibly connected to said first portion.

4. The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein;

h. said second portion comprises an opening which is adapted to hang on a nail or the like.

5. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein;

f. said last mentioned means comprises a nail or

Claims

1. A litter receptacle, comprising; a. an upper annular rim, b. a side wall depending from said rim, c. a bottom end fixed to said side wall, d. means located adjacent said rim for affixing said receptacle to a support structure above ground level, and e. means removably attached to said bottom end for supporting said means for affixing when removed and applied to a support structure.

2. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein; f. said means for affixing comprises an element having one portion fixed to one of said side wall and rim and a second portion movable with respect to said one portion from a position along said side wall below said rim to a position substantially 180 degrees displaced to a position extending above said rim.

3. The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein; g. said second portion is flexibly connected to said first portion.

4. The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein; h. said second portion comprises an opening which is adapted to hang on a nail or the like.

5. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein; f. said last mentioned means comprises a nail or screw.