Cart apparatus and methods for use
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJamie J. Childress
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and methods for a convertible service and recycling cart for food and beverage service and waste sorting, compaction and storage are disclosed. An example cart apparatus includes a base, a first sidewall and a second sidewall each coupled to the base and a top support coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall. At least one opening is defined in the top support and a lid is removably coupled to the top support. The apparatus also includes at least one container that is configured to be removably coupled to the at least one opening in the top support.
Claims18
An apparatus comprising:
- a base;
- a first sidewall and a second sidewall each coupled to the base;
- a top support coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
- at least one opening defined in the top support;
- a lid removably coupled to the top support;
- at least one container configured to be removably coupled to the at least one opening in the top support, wherein the at least one container is an at least one bag insert that is non-expandable and that has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the at least one opening in the top support such that the at least one container is configured to be removed through the at least one opening by reducing bulging or an increased diameter of the at least one container due to waste contained therein;
- and
- an intermediate support coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall between the base and the top support, wherein the intermediate support defines at least one opening concentrically aligned with the at least one opening of the top support such that the at least one container is disposed through the at least one opening of the intermediate support.
A method for using a cart apparatus including (a) a base, (b) a first sidewall and a second sidewall each coupled to the base, (c) a top support coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall, (d) at least one opening defined in the top support, (e) a lid removably coupled to the top support, (f) at least one container configured to be removably coupled to the at least one opening in the top support, wherein the at least one container is an at least one bag insert that is non-expandable and that has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the at least one opening in the top support such that the at least one container is configured to be removed through the at least one opening by reducing bulging or an increased diameter of the at least one container due to waste contained therein, and (g) an intermediate support coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall between the base and the top support, wherein the intermediate support defines at least one opening concentrically aligned with the at least one opening of the top support such that the at least one container is disposed through the at least one opening of the intermediate support, the method comprising:
- removing the lid from the top support of the cart apparatus;
- inserting the at least one container into the at least one opening in the top support;
- inserting at least one bag into the at least one container disposed through the top support;
- and
- securing an open end of the at least one bag to the first end the at least one container via at least one locking ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.