Trash container with a vacuum

• US 7,578,024 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2006
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel Hughes
• Original Assignee: Daniel Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Muller; Bryan R
• Application Number:
  US11/595,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20080189898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 232 44- 63, 220/502, 153/10
• US Class Current: 15/310
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/06 with flexible inserts, e.g. bags or sacks B65F1/0073 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/105 the filling means being pneumatic, e.g. using suction
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/163 Pedal-operated lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/144 Level detecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/188 Vacuum drawing means

Abstract

A trash container having a base disposed on a support surface. The base has an aperture adjacent the support surface. A receptacle is disposed above the base. The receptacle contains debris received from an opening in an upper end of the receptacle. A vacuum draws debris through the aperture into a channel adjacent to the base and toward the receptacle. A collection chamber is associated with the receptacle and is configured to receive and collect debris from the vacuum and direct debris into the receptacle. The trash container can also include a lid disposed on an upper end of the receptacle. A method of collecting debris for depositing in a trash container includes providing suction to an aperture in a base of the trash container to draw debris from a surface adjacent the container. The method also includes capturing the debris drawn through the aperture in a collection chamber.

Claims

1. A trash container, comprising:

a base, disposable on a support surface, and having an aperture adjacent the support surface;

a receptacle, disposed above the base, configured to receive and contain debris;

a vacuum, operable to draw debris through the aperture into a channel and toward the receptacle; and

a collection chamber associated with the receptacle configured to receive and collect debris from the channel, and wherein the collection chamber further includes a closable door such that when the vacuum is on, the door is closed by suction from the vacuum to substantially contain debris in the collection chamber and when the vacuum is off, the door is opened to allow debris to fall into the receptacle.

2. The trash container of claim 1, wherein the channel is a vacuum hose.

3. The trash container of claim 1, wherein the vacuum provides suction to draw debris through the aperture and into the collection chamber.

4. The trash container of claim 1, further comprising a lid disposable on an upper end of the receptacle.

5. The trash container of claim 4, wherein the lid is coupled to the collection chamber.

6. The trash container of claim 1, wherein the collection chamber is operable to direct debris into the receptacle.

7. The trash container of claim 1, further comprising a sensor, coupled to the base, and operable to activate the vacuum when debris is collected on the support surface adjacent the aperture.

8. A trash container, comprising:

a base, disposable on a support surface, and having an aperture adjacent the support surface;

a receptacle, disposed above the base, configured to receive and contain debris;

a vacuum, coupled to the aperture, and operable to draw debris through the aperture into a channel adjacent to the base and toward the receptacle;

a lid disposable on an upper end of the receptacle; and

a collection chamber coupled to the lid and configured to receive and collect debris from the channel, and wherein the collection chamber further includes a closable door such that when the vacuum is on, the door is closed by suction from the vacuum to substantially contain debris in the collection chamber and when the vacuum is off, the door is opened to allow debris to fall into the receptacle.

9. The trash container of claim 8, wherein the channel is a vacuum hose.

10. The trash container of claim 8, wherein the collection chamber is operable to direct debris into the receptacle.

11. The trash container of claim 8, further comprising a sensor, coupled to the base, and operable to activate the vacuum when debris is collected on the support surface adjacent the aperture.

12. The trash container of claim 9, wherein the vacuum hose comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment extending from the aperture in the base to the collection chamber, the second segment extending from the collection chamber to the vacuum disposed adjacent the base.

13. The trash container of claim 12, wherein the vacuum hose includes a filter placed across an opening of the second segment of the vacuum hose.