The present invention relates to a trash container for use with handle bags.
The invention further relates to a trash-containing assembly comprising such container.
Trash containers are known to generally comprise a receptacle having a side wall closed by a bottom wall to define a chamber for a bag, which is designed to contain trash and prevent it from contacting the receptacle.
Typically, bags are engaged with the container by simply folding them back onto the top edge. If the bags have handles, i.e. are of so-called "T-shirt" type, such handles are left outside the container, without being engaged therewith.
Also, such containers typically have a handle attached to the top edge of the container. Such handle is bulky and difficult to handle, wherefore the container can be only grasped in a poorly hygienic and difficult manner.
Another thash container is known from
The object of this invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a trash container that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.
A particular object is to provide a trash container that can both be grasped by a user in an easy and hygienic manner and provide engagement for the bag handles.
A further object is to provide a trash container that can be easily fabricated by molding.
Another object of the invention is to provide a trash container that allows easy storage and stacking.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a trash containing assembly that uses such trash container.
These and other objects, as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a trash container for use with handle bags as defined in claim 1, and by a trash containing assembly as defined in claim 10.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in accordance with the dependent claims.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a trash can of the invention, which is described as a nonlimiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:
Referring to the above figures, the trash container of the invention, generally designated by numeral 1, consists of a receptacle 2 with a side wall 3 closed by a bottom wall 4 to define a chamber V for holding and supporting a handle-type bag 5, of the type known in the market as "t-shirt bag", i.e. having carrying handles 6, 6'. Preferably, a lid 7 may be provided, for connection to the receptacle 2 by hinge means 8.
The side wall 3 of the receptacle 2 has a pair of inward recesses extending from opposite sides 9, 9'. The recesses 10, 10' are defined by outer peripheral edges 11, 11' with respective downward appendices 12, 12' extending therefrom.
The appendices 12, 12' allow both the container 2 to be hygienically grasped by a user and the handles of a bag 5 to be engaged therewith.
The handles 6, 6' of the bag 5 may be introduced in the gaps 13, 13' between the rear faces 14, 14' of the appendices 12, 12' and the front surfaces 15, 15' of the recesses 10, 10', whereas the rest of the bag 5 may be introduced into the chamber V of the receptacle 2, as shown in
Advantageously, each of the recesses 10, 10' may have a substantially elongate shape, extending along an axis X, X' parallel to the side wall 3. Furthermore, the appendices 12, 12' may be located in the vicinity of the top end 16, 16' of each recess.
Such configuration will afford comfortable and firm grasp by the user and bag engagement. By placing the appendices 12, 12' and associated gaps 13, 13' at the top, the user will easily introduce his/her hands therein and engage the handles 6, 6' of the bag 5.
During the manufacturing process, such configuration will also eliminate the step of mounting container handles or similar means, required in traditional containers.
The elongate appendices 12, 12' may further have a substantially rounded outer peripheral area, to prevent user injury and damages to the bag handles.
Conveniently, each of the recesses 10, 10' may extend in the vertical direction substantially to the bottom wall 4 of the receptacle 2. The recesses 10, 10' may also have a slightly upwardly decreasing cross section, for easier stacking of multiple containers.
Preferably, the receptacle 2 will be fabricated by molding of a polymeric material selected from the group comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, polyamides.
Conveniently, each of the appendices 12, 12' may be substantially coplanar or slightly recessed relative to the side wall 3 of the receptacle 2.
Such configuration is particularly advantageous during fabrication of the trash can. The provision of appendices 12, 12' not projecting out of the side wall 3 avoids any undercut with respect to the side wall and facilitates molding.
In order to improve the mechanical properties of the can 1, the appendices 12, 12' may be integral with the side wall 3 of the receptacle 2 and may operably formed of one piece therewith.
In a first embodiment, as shown in
In a second embodiment, as shown in
For this purpose, the bag 5 may be formed from an air-permeable polymeric material, and may be preferably entirely made of it, and be of such a size as to be held and supported in the receptacle 2 at a predetermined distance d from the bottom wall 4 thereof.
This configuration of the can 1 - bag 5 assembly, as schematically shown in
By having the bag supported at a predetermined distance d from the bottom wall 4 and the side wall 3, and anyway not in contact therewith, ventilation will be improved in the assembly between the can 1 and the bag 5, and no condensation will occur between the outer surface of the bag 5 and the bottom wall of the container. Furthermore, the bag will be prevented from falling back into the can, and from forming local malodorous areas.
In any case, in both first and second embodiments of the container 1, the receptacle 2 may be equipped with a plurality of support feet 19. Particularly, in the second embodiment of the container 1, such feature will further improve ventilation in the assembly between the container 1 and the bag 5.
The above disclosure shows that the trash container for handle bags of the invention fulfills the intended objects and particularly meets the requirement of allowing both easy and hygienic grasp thereof by a user and engagement of the bag handles.
The provision of appendices 12, 12' extending downwards from the peripheral edge 11, 11' of the recesses 10, 10' will create a gap 13, 13' between the rear face 14, 14' of the appendices 12, 12' and the front surface 15, 15' of the recesses 10, 10', which will be useful to fulfil the above object.
The trash container of this invention is susceptible of a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs.
While the trash container has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.