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Trash cans with features to aid in actuation

  • US 9,481,515 B2
  • Filed: 03/07/2013
  • Issued: 11/01/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A refuse storage receptacle comprising:

  • a body comprising an interior cavity, a front face, and at least one opening located on a top portion of the body; and

    a lid portion configured to engage with the top portion of the body, the lid portion comprising;

    a cap having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion configured to engage with the body, the cap having an opening configured to allow refuse to pass through the cap and into to the interior cavity of the body, the cap forming an outer periphery of at least a portion of the receptacle;

    a lid rotationally connected to the cap in a region of the opening, the lid having a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the opening in the cap, the lid comprising at least one hinge attachment member on a first side of the lid and a securement member on a second side of the lid generally opposite the first side, the at least one hinge attachment member configured to connect to one or more lid engagement members of the cap, the lid configured to transition between an opened configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the lid inhibits access to the opening in the cap when the lid is in a closed configuration;

    an actuator configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position, wherein;

    in the open position, the actuator is rotationally connected to the cap and extends outwardly and downwardly from an outer edge of the cap,in the closed position, an outer edge of the actuator extends in front of the front face of the body; and

    the actuator is rotationally biased toward the closed position; and

    a locking member configured to engage with the securement member of the lid when the actuator is in the closed position such that the locking member secures the lid in the closed configuration and inhibits the lid from moving to the open configuration, the engagement of the locking member and the securement member being released upon application of a downward input force at an effective angle upon the actuator, thereby allowing the lid to move to the open configuration.

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