Vacuum trash insertion receptacle

• US 7,174,602 B1
• Filed: 07/08/2003
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth Foral
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth Foral
• Inventors: Foral, Elizabeth
• Primary Examiner(s): Till; Terrence R.
• Application Number:
  US10/615,258
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 153/10, 153/19, 153/39, 15D/IG.2, 153/47, 15350-353, 100/49, 100/99, 100/345, 100/348, 220/908, 220/909
• US Class Current: 15/310
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/38 Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0047 Furniture or stationary devices with suction openings built-in suction cleaners A47L5/38
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0085 adapted for special purposes not related to cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/105 the filling means being pneumatic, e.g. using suction
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2230/108 Animal

Abstract

A vacuum trash insertion receptacle includes an aesthetically shaped housing providing a trash tube for the insertion and transportation of garbage to a trash receptacle assembly. A control assembly in communication with a gate monitoring assembly, an interactive module assembly, a vacuum assembly, and an indicator assembly, controls the functioning of the vacuum trash insertion receptacle. The gate monitoring assembly provides information on the presence of garbage being inserted. The vacuum assembly provides a vacuum to the trash tube. The interactive module assembly provides audio feedback to a user of the vacuum trash insertion receptacle. The indicator assembly provides information regarding the level of stored trash currently in the trash receptacle assembly.

Claims

1. A vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly, comprising:

a housing including a trash tube, the trash tube being suitable for allowing the insertion of garbage within the vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly;

a vacuum assembly coupled to the trash tube, the vacuum assembly being suitable for creating a vacuum within the trash tube for transporting the garbage in the trash tube to a trash receptacle assembly;

a gate monitoring assembly communicatively coupled to the vacuum assembly via a control assembly for causing activation of the vacuum assembly when insertion of garbage through a gate of the trash tube is detected;

an indicator assembly coupled to the trash tube for indicating the level of garbage within the trash receptacle assembly; and

an interactive module assembly coupled with the housing, the interactive module assembly being suitable for providing interaction with a user,

wherein the vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly provides user interactive garbage collection and storage.

2. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a proximity assembly for detecting movement within a defined area immediately surrounding the housing.

3. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 1, wherein the vacuum trash insertion receptacle is a portable vacuum trash insertion receptacle.

4. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 1, wherein the interactive module assembly further comprises at least one of an audio module and a video module.

5. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 1, wherein the indicator assembly is coupled to at least one of the housing and the trash receptacle assembly.

6. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 1, further comprising an animation assembly.

7. A garbage collection system, comprising:

a housing aesthetically shaped as an animal, including a trash tube suitable for allowing the insertion of garbage within the housing;

a vacuum assembly coupled to the trash tube, the vacuum assembly being suitable for creating a vacuum within the trash tube for transporting the garbage in the trash tube to a trash receptacle assembly;

a gate monitoring assembly communicatively coupled to the vacuum assembly via a control assembly for causing activation of the vacuum assembly when insertion of garbage through a gate of the trash tube is detected;

an indicator assembly coupled to the trash tube for indicating the level of garbage within the trash receptacle assembly;

an interactive module assembly coupled with the housing, the interactive module assembly being suitable for providing interaction with a user; and

a proximity assembly coupled to the interactive module assembly, the proximity assembly being suitable for detecting movement within a defined area immediately surrounding the housing,

wherein the vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly provides user interactive garbage collection and storage.

8. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 7, wherein the interactive module assembly further comprises at least one of an audio module and a video module.

9. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 7, wherein the indicator assembly is coupled to at least one of the housing and the trash receptacle assembly.

10. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 7, further comprising an animation assembly.

11. The vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly of claim 7, wherein the vacuum trash insertion receptacle is a portable vacuum trash insertion receptacle.

12. A method for collecting garbage, comprising:

establishing a vacuum trash insertion receptacle;

identifying a user in need of garbage collection; and

collecting garbage from the user,

wherein the vacuum trash insertion receptacle comprises;

a housing including a trash tube, the trash tube being suitable for allowing the insertion of garbage within the vacuum trash insertion receptacle assembly;

a vacuum assembly coupled to the trash tube, the vacuum assembly being suitable for creating a vacuum within the trash tube for transporting the garbage in the trash tube to a trash receptacle assembly;

a gate monitoring assembly communicatively coupled to the vacuum assembly via a control assembly for causing activation of the vacuum assembly when insertion of garbage through a gate of the trash tube is detected;

an indicator assembly coupled to the trash tube for indicating the level of garbage within the trash receptacle assembly; and

an interactive module assembly coupled with the housing, the interactive module assembly being suitable for providing interaction with a user.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the interactive module assembly comprises at least one of an audio module and a video module.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining the garbage collection needs of a user by using the interactive module assembly.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein identifying a user is accomplished by a proximity assembly coupled with the interactive module assembly, the proximity assembly being suitable for detecting movement within a defined area immediately surrounding the housing.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the gate is coupled to a first end of the trash tube.