Container Assembly for Garbage

This invention relates to a container assembly for garbage. More particularly, this invention relates to a container assembly for receiving different types of garbage for recycling purposes.

Heretofore, containers for garbage have generally been of a single chamber type so that different types of garbage can be deposited therein for subsequent removal. However, garbage collection and removal has become a significant problem in many communities so that various solutions have been sought to reducing the amount of garbage that requires removal, for example, to a garbage dump, land fill cite and/or incineration plant. In some cases, municipal regulations require a home owner or business establishment to separate garbage into different types, for example to separate bottles, aluminum cans, plastic containers, newspapers and the like from each other not only for recycling purposes but also to reduce the amount of residual garbage which requires removal to a garbage dump, land fill or incineration plant.

Because of the requirement to separate garbage into different types, home owners and business establishments have usually resorted to setting aside separate containers for each type of garbage. For example, one container may be set aside for aluminum cans, a second container for plastic materials, a third container for newspapers and paper and a fourth container for any remaining garbage. However, this requires a rather large space and is not generally convenient to home owners and businesses.

In other cases, compartmented trash receptacles for example as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,648,875; 3,720,346 and 3,904,218. Generally, these receptacles have a plurality of containers which are disposed in side-by-side relation within a common housing or which are held together by a common cover. However, such receptacles provide garbage-receiving compartments which are relatively narrow and relatively deep. Because of this, the compartments are relatively difficult to clean. Further, if the compartments are too narrow, some garbage such as large plastic bottles may become wedged in place so that a compartment cannot be totally filled. Still further, in some cases as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,648,875 and 3,904,218, rather cumbersome support structures are required to hold the inidividual compartments together.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a container assembly of simple and compact construction for receiving different types of garbage in segregated manner.

It is another object of the invention to be able to segregate garbage in a rapid manner for removal purposes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a relatively simple container assembly which takes up a minimum of space and which can be readily used by a home owner.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container assembly for multiple types of garbage which can be readily assembled and easily cleaned.

Briefly, the invention provides a container assembly for garbage which includes a plurality of containers which are stacked in vertical relation with each defining a compartment for receiving a different type of garbage from the other chambers. In addition, the containers are stacked relative to each other so as to provide vertical chutes between adjacent containers by means of which one or more types of garbage can be directed into a container aligned below the chute or chutes.

The stacked containers are also provided with suitable means for nesting the vertically disposed containers with each other. In this way, the container assembly can be moved about as a single unit.

The container assembly is also provided with a lid which is disposed about the uppermost containers. This lid also serves to hold the uppermost containers together as a unit.

The individual containers may be constructed in any suitable geometric shape so that when the containers are assembled a compact unit is provided for the collection of different types of garbage.

The container assembly is particularly suitable for the recycling of materials. For example from time-to-time, the container assembly can be dis-assembled so that the individual containers having, for example aluminum cans therein, can be separately brought to a recycling station, or otherwise collected by a garbage collection agency. In similar manner, the remaining containers can be individually handled.

Further, because the individual containers can be readily handled, cleaning of any one container can be readily accomplished.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a container assembly constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 1A turned 90.degree.;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the container assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of an uppermost container of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the container of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of the container of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of a recessed wall of the container of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E illustrates a bottom view of the container of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of a lowermost container of the assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the container of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates a left side view of the container of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D illustrates an inside face of the container of FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 4E illustrates a bottom view of the container of FIG. 4A.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the container assembly 10 is constructed for the receiving of different types of garbage, for example for removal and recycling purposes. The container assembly 10 is comprised of a lower pair of shell-like containers 11 disposed in adjacent relation and an upper pair of shell-like containers 12 disposed in adjacent relation above the lower pair of containers 11. In addition, a lid 13, shown in phantom lines, is disposed about the upper pair of containers 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the lower containers 11 has an opened upper end for receiving garbage. As indicated in FIGS. 4A to 4E each container 11 is of semi-cylindrical shape to define a flat inside face 14 to mate in flat face-to-face contact with an adjacent container 11 and to define a compartment 15 for receiving garbage. Also, each container 11 has an upstanding peripheral edge 16 about the garbage-receiving compartment 15 and a bottom 17 for closing off the garbage-receiving compartment 15.

Each container 11 is molded in one-piece manner of self-supporting plastic or may be formed in other suitable manner.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the upper containers 12 has an open upper end and defines a garbage-receiving compartment 18. In addition, each upper container 12 is of semi-cylindrical shape with a recessed wall 19 facing the other upper container 12. As shown, each wall 19 defines a pair of semi-circular recesses 20 so as to define a vertical chute 21 (see FIG. 1A) when the containers 12 are brought together in mating relation.

As indicated in FIGS. 3A-3D, each upper container 12 is of one-piece plastic construction and has an integral bottom 22 closing off the garbage-receiving compartment 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the containers 11, 12 are stacked in vertical relation so that the upper containers 12 each provide a compartment 18 for receiving a different type of trash from the other. In addition, the chutes 21 provided between these upper containers 12 provide for access to the lower containers 11. In this respect, each chute 21 is aligned with only one of the lower containers 11 so that different types of garbage may be deposited in each of the lower containers 11.

In order to enhance the assembled condition of the containers 11,12, means are provided for nesting of the upper containers 12 on the lower containers 11. For example, as indicated in FIGS. 2, 3D and 3E, the bottom 22 of each upper container 12 has a peripheral groove 23 formed in the bottom surface thereof as well as a centrally extending groove 24. As indicated in FIG. 3A, the bottom 22 of each container 12 has a raised portion inside the compartment 18 corresponding to the grooves 23, 24. These grooves 23, 24 are sized so to receive the upstanding peripheral edge 16 (see FIG. 2) of each lower container 11 in mating relation, for example, in a snap-fit manner. Thus, the centrally extending groove 24 of one upper container 12 receives the upstanding edges 16 of the two containers 11. Likewise, a peripheral groove 23 of an upper container 12 receives one-half of the curved peripheral edge of each container 11.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the lid 13 may provide a space above the upper containers 12 for receiving newspapers and the like.

Each individual container 11, 12 is made of suitable capacity, for example of twelve gallon capacity. However, any other suitable capacity may be provided. In particular, the individual containers can be sized so as to readily handle large items, such as plastic bottles, without jamming occurring within the compartments. Further, the containers 11, 12 may be of different heights so as to provide different capacities from each other.

In use, an individual wishing to separate garbage would dedicate any of the four chambers of the container assembly to a specific type of garbage, for example, glass, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastics, and the like, depending upon the recycling program established in the particular community involved. Removing the lid 13 will expose the open portions of the two upper containers 12 and the chutes 21 communicating to the lower containers 11. The individual would then place the garbage to be discarded into the appropriate container 11, 12.

Depending upon the collection procedures established in any particular community, the individual could place the entire assembly for curb side pick-up or the individual containers 11, 12 could be segregated for individual pick-up.

The invention thus provides a container assembly for segregating garbage which is of relatively compact construction. Further, the assembly may be used as a single unit instead of having to use four or five trash cans per dwelling.

The container assembly, when assembled, is waterproof when the lid is in place and may be stored in an outdoor environment.

Further, the container asesmbly can be readily disassembled when desired and the individual containers can be easily handled and cleaned as compared with conventional large trash cans.

Still further, in the event of damage to any of the containers, only the damaged container need be replaced rather than having to replace a complete assembly.