Collapsible and disposable trash receptacle

• US 7,077,571 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samantha B. Wilson
• Original Assignee: Samantha B. Wilson
• Inventors: Wilson, Patricia B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HYLTON, ROBIN ANNETTE
• Application Number:
  US11/158,631
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 383/120, 383/109, 383/121, 383/902, 383/907, 220/495.06, 220/62.14, 220/908, 220/62.21, 362/352, 362/347
• US Class Current: 383/120
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/02 without removable inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2220/1063 foldable
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2230/00 Shapes of refuse receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/908 Trash container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 383/907 Peculiar, particular shape

Abstract

A device includes a base member that has inner and outer layers abutted thereagainst. An upper body extends upwardly from the base member and has a top end portion aligned about a longitudinal axis of the receptacle. The upper body has a deformably resilient outer surface including a plurality of coextensive pleats equidistantly spaced about a circumference of the upper body wherein longitudinal length of the pleats is greater than width of the pleats. Such pleats extend along a longitudinal length of the upper body and are simultaneously adaptable during operating conditions. The base member and the upper body are adaptable between compressed and expanded positions. The base member has a substantially cylindrical shape when adapted to an expanded position and the upper body has a spherical shape when adapted to an expanded position. Such an upper body has a circumference greater than the circumference of the base member.

Claims

1. A collapsible and disposable trash receptacle sized and shaped to be seated on a dining table, said receptacle comprising:

a base member formed from flexible material comprising an inner layer and an outer layer abutted thereagainst; and

an upper body monolithically formed with said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, said upper body having an open top end portion centrally aligned about a longitudinal axis of said receptacle, said upper body further having a deformably resilient outer surface comprising a plurality of pleats equidistantly spaced about a circumference of said upper body;

wherein said base member and said upper body are adaptable between compressed and expanded positions, said base member having a substantially cylindrical shape when adapted to an expanded position, said upper body having a spherical shape when adapted to an expanded position such that said upper body has a circumference greater than the circumference of said base member.

2. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein said pleats include a plurality of monolithically formed coextensive side portions radially extending away from the longitudinal axis and being adjustable between expanded and compressed positions such that a volume of the upper body can be selectively expanded when said side portions are adapted to a position tangential to the circumference of said upper body.

3. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of said base member has a plurality of coextensive lines of weakness such that said base member can be compressed to a planar position.

4. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein said upper body defines a width equal to a width of said base member when at a compressed position such that said receptacle can be readily stored.

5. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein said upper body defines a spherical cavity therein when adapted to the expanded position.

6. A collapsible and disposable trash receptacle sized and shaped to be seated on a dining table, said receptacle comprising:

a base member formed from flexible material comprising an inner layer and an outer layer abutted thereagainst; and

an upper body monolithically formed with said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, said upper body having an open top end portion centrally aligned about a longitudinal axis of said receptacle, said upper body further having a deformably resilient outer surface comprising a plurality of coextensive pleats equidistantly spaced about a circumference of said upper body;

wherein said base member and said upper body are adaptable between compressed and expanded positions, said base member having a substantially cylindrical shape when adapted to an expanded position, said upper body having a spherical shape when adapted to an expanded position such that said upper body has a circumference greater than the circumference of said base member.

7. The receptacle of claim 6, wherein said pleats include a plurality of monolithically formed coextensive side portions radially extending away from the longitudinal axis and being adjustable between expanded and compressed positions such that a volume of the upper body can be selectively expanded when said side portions are adapted to a position tangential to the circumference of said upper body.

8. The receptacle of claim 6, wherein a bottom surface of said base member has a plurality of coextensive lines of weakness such that said base member can be compressed to a planar position.

9. The receptacle of claim 6, wherein said upper body defines a width equal to a width of said base member when at a compressed position such that said receptacle can be readily stored.

10. The receptacle of claim 6, wherein said upper body defines a spherical cavity therein when adapted to the expanded position.

11. A collapsible and disposable trash receptacle sized and shaped to be seated on a dining table, said receptacle comprising:

a base member formed from flexible material comprising an inner layer and an outer layer abutted thereagainst; and

an upper body monolithically formed with said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, said upper body having an open top end portion centrally aligned about a longitudinal axis of said receptacle, said upper body further having a deformably resilient outer surface comprising a plurality of coextensive pleats equidistantly spaced about a circumference of said upper body, wherein the longitudinal length of said pleats is greater than the width of said pleats, said pleats extending along a longitudinal length of said upper body and being simultaneously adaptable during operating conditions;

wherein said base member and said upper body are adaptable between compressed and expanded positions, said base member having a substantially cylindrical shape when adapted to an expanded position, said upper body having a spherical shape when adapted to an expanded position such that said upper body has a circumference greater than the circumference of said base member.

12. The receptacle of claim 11, wherein said pleats include a plurality of monolithically formed coextensive side portions radially extending away from the longitudinal axis and being adjustable between expanded and compressed positions such that a volume of the upper body can be selectively expanded when said side portions are adapted to a position tangential to the circumference of said upper body.

13. The receptacle of claim 11, wherein a bottom surface of said base member has a plurality of coextensive lines of weakness such that said base member can be compressed to a planar position.

14. The receptacle of claim 11, wherein said upper body defines a width equal to a width of said base member when at a compressed position such that said receptacle can be readily stored.

15. The receptacle of claim 11, wherein said upper body defines a spherical cavity therein when adapted to the expanded position.