Disposable receptacle with integral flexible closure

• US 4,779,566 A
• Filed: 04/03/1986
• Issued: 10/25/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald G. Morris, Gregory J. Nelson
• Original Assignee: Donald G. Morris, Gregory J. Nelson
• Inventors: Nelson, Gregory J., Morris, Donald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Creighton
• Application Number:
  US06/847,766
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 119/1, 4/452, 4/484
• US Class Current: 119/165
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0107 Cat trays; Dog urinals; Toilets for pets
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/007 Floors for stables A01K1/015
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/04 Dropping-boards; Devices for removing excrement

Abstract

A disposable receptacle for animal and other waste having a rigid container for receiving an absorbent material and the deposited waste. A flange extends around the container and at least partially defines a channel which receives a flexible sleeve-like closure in a stored out-of-the-way position which has one end secured to the container. When the closure is unfolded, it extends over the container to close it and the free end of the closure may be gathered and secured by a twist tie.

Claims

1. A disposable receptacle for waste comprising:

(a) a free-standing substantially rigid container having side walls and a bottom defining a compartment having an opening for receiving waste;

(b) at least a portion of said walls defining a storage surface; and

(c) flexible closure means secured at said storage surface in a normally out-of-the-way storage position, said flexible closure comprising a sleeve having a free end and adapted to extend over the said container opening when extended to close the container and whereby the free end of the closure may be grasped to lift the container and contained waste for disposal.

2. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein said storage surface comprises a peripheral flange extending about an upper edge of said side walls defining an open channel.

3. The receptacle of claim 2 wherein said closure comprises a flexible film which is secured in said channel in an out-of-the-way position in a normal storage position.

4. The receptacle of claim 3 wherein at least one projecting tab is secured to said closure to facilitate extension of the closure from the said channel.

5. The receptacle of claim 4 wherein a removable annular retainer member is frictionally secured in said channel to maintain said closure in said stored position.

6. The receptacle of claim 4 wherein said channel is downwardly opening about the periphery of the receptacle.

7. The receptacle of claim 4 wherein said channel is generally upwardly opening.

8. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein said receptacle is molded from a rigid plastic material and said closure comprises a flexible synthetic film.

9. The receptacle of claim 8 wherein a twist tie member is detachably secured to said closure member.

10. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein said closure is adhesively bonded to said receptacle.

11. The receptacle of claim 3 wherein said side walls diverge upwardly whereby multiple receptacles are stackable.

12. A disposable receptacle for animal waste comprising:

(a) a rigid container having side walls having an upper edge and a bottom defining a compartment for receiving the waste, said compartment having an open top;

(b) integral flange means extending about the outer periphery of said container adjacent the said upper edge of said side walls, said flange means defining a channel; and

(c) closure means having a generally sleeve-like configuration having one end secured to said container and having an opposite open end, said closure means having a stored out-of-the-way position received in said channel, said closure means being flexible and adapted to extend over said open top when unfolded to close the container, whereby the open end may be gathered for manual transportation and disposal of the entire receptacle and contents.