Trash can assembly

• US 10,279,997 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2015
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
• Original Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
• Inventors: Yang, Frank, Chang, Di-Fong, Sandor, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Van Buskirk, James M
• Application Number:
  US14/637,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20150259139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 220263, 220200, 220288, 220810
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/06 with flexible inserts, e.g. bags or sacks B65F1/0073 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/062 having means for storing or dispensing spare bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1473 Receptacles having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1607 with filling openings
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1615 with means for locking, fastening or permanently closing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/163 Pedal-operated lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1646 provided with means for mounting on receptacles, e.g. hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2001/1661 relating to noise reduction, e.g. during opening or closing
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2001/1669 relating to means for fixing or latching the lid or cover in a certain angle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2220/12 nestable
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2250/11 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2250/114 Plastics

Abstract

Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly can include a lid, and a multicomponent trim ring. The lid assembly can be rotatably connected with the body via a hinge unit. In certain embodiments, a flange of the trim ring is guided into and/or received into the hinge unit. A translating pin of the hinge unit can engage into the flange, thereby providing a rotatable connection between the trim ring and the body. In various embodiments, the translating pin is coupled with a handle to facilitate movement of the pin by a user during engagement of the trim ring and the hinge unit. A positioner can help to position the trash can against or adjacent to a wall or other structure. The movement of both the trim ring and the lid can be dampened.

Claims

1. A trash can assembly comprising:

a body comprising an interior cavity and a connection base, the body having an upper opening through which refuse can be inserted into the interior cavity, the connection base comprising a receiving area and an opening, the connection base being positioned on an exterior rear wall of the body; and

a lid assembly configured to couple and decouple with the body, the lid assembly comprising;

a lid,

a trim ring, and

a hinge unit comprising;

a locating portion; and

a connection member that is movable between a first position and a second position, the connection member being biased toward the first position, wherein;

when the connection member is in the second position, the connection member is disengaged from the opening of the connection base of the body and the hinge unit is configured to be selectively received in the receiving area of the connection base of the body and to be separable from the body; and

when the connection member is in the first position and the hinge unit is received in the receiving area, the connection member is engaged with the opening of the connection base of the body.

2. The trash can of claim 1, wherein substantially all of the body is made of a first material and at least a portion of the trim ring is made of a second material, the first and second materials being different.

3. The trash can of claim 2, wherein the first material is plastic and the second material is metal.

4. The trash can of claim 1, wherein the connection base further comprises a guide member configured to guide the hinge unit into the receiving area.

5. The trash can of claim 4, wherein the connection base is metal and the body is plastic.

6. The trash can of claim 1, further comprising a pedal and a linkage mechanism configured to rotate the lid between an open position and a closed position.

7. The trash can of claim 1, wherein the lid and the trim ring rotate relative to the body about the same axis.

8. The trash can of claim 6, further comprising a stabilizer configured to move between a deployed and a stowed position, wherein in the deployed position the stabilizer is positioned adjacent the pedal, wherein the pedal comprises a foot pedal.

9. The trash can of claim 1, wherein the trim ring is configured to rotate with respect to the lid and to visually obscure a disposable trash bag wrapped over an upper edge of the body.

10. The trash can of claim 1, wherein the trim ring extends laterally outward of the upper edge of the body, and wherein an upper portion of the trim ring is positioned vertically above the upper edge of the body and a lower portion of the trim ring extends downward and below the upper edge of the body.

11. The trash can of claim 1, further comprising a spacer configured to rotate between a stowed position and a deployed position, the spacer configured to extend rearward of a rearmost portion of the lid when the spacer is in the deployed position.

12. The trash can of claim 1, wherein the connection member is slidable between the first position and the second position.

13. The trash can of claim 12, wherein the connection member slides along an axis that is generally parallel with an axis of rotation of the lid.

14. The trash can of claim 1, wherein the hinge unit is configured to be separable from the body in a generally vertical direction.

15. A trash can assembly comprising:

a body comprising an interior cavity, the body having an upper opening through which refuse can be inserted into the interior cavity;

a lid that is rotatable from a closed to an open position with respect to the body; and

a trim ring that is rotatable from a closed to an open position with respect to the body, independent of the rotation of the lid;

wherein the lid and the trim ring are each functionally coupled to a dampening mechanism, and the dampening mechanism is configured to slow the rotation of the lid and the trim ring with respect to the body.

16. The trash can assembly of claim 15, wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the trim ring.

17. The trash can assembly of claim 15, wherein the dampening mechanism comprises a first damper for dampening rotation of the lid and a second damper for dampening rotation of the trim ring.