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.
Claims20
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;
- a first opening, a second opening and a third opening each defined in the top support;
- a first container removably coupled to the first opening, the first container being non-expandable and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first opening;
- a second container removably coupled to the second opening, the second container sized and shaped to receive a plurality of cups in a stackable arrangement;
- a liquid stowage bin coupled to the third opening;
- 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 first opening of the top support such that the first container is disposed through the at least one opening of the intermediate support;
- a plurality of trays stacked on the base beneath the first container, the second container and the liquid stowage bin;
- and
- a plurality of pairs of shelf brackets, wherein each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets is coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall opposite each other between the base and the top support, and wherein each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets is configured for one of the plurality of trays to be disposed on horizontal sections of each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets, when the first container is removed from the first opening and the second container is removed from the second opening.
A method for assembling 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) a first opening, a second opening and a third opening each defined in the top support;
- (e) a first container removably coupled to the first opening, the first container being non-expandable and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first opening;
- (f) a second container removably coupled to the second opening, the second container sized and shaped to receive a plurality of cups in a stackable arrangement;
- (g) a liquid stowage bin coupled to the third opening, (h) 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 first opening of the top support such that the first container is disposed through the at least one opening of the intermediate support;
- (i) a plurality of trays stacked on the base beneath the first container, the second container and the liquid stowage bin;
- and (j) a plurality of pairs of shelf brackets, wherein each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets is coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall opposite each other between the base and the top support, and wherein each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets is configured for one of the plurality of trays to be disposed on horizontal sections of each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets, when the first container is removed from the first opening and the second container is removed from the second opening, the method comprising:
- inserting the first container into the first opening in the top support;
- inserting a bag into the first container disposed through the top support;
- and
- securing an open end of the bag to a first end of the first container via at least one locking ring.
A method for collecting waste 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) a first opening, a second opening and a third opening each defined in the top support;
- (e) a first container removably coupled to the first opening, the first container being non-expandable and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first opening;
- (f) a second container removably coupled to the second opening, the second container sized and shaped to receive a plurality of cups in a stackable arrangement;
- (g) a liquid stowage bin coupled to the third opening, (h) 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 first opening of the top support such that the first container is disposed through the at least one opening of the intermediate support;
- (i) a plurality of trays stacked on the base beneath the first container, the second container and the liquid stowage bin;
- and (j) a plurality of pairs of shelf brackets, wherein each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets is coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall opposite each other between the base and the top support, and wherein each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets is configured for one of the plurality of trays to be disposed on horizontal sections of each pair of the plurality of pairs of shelf brackets, when the first container is removed from the first opening and the second container is removed from the second opening, the method comprising:
- collecting waste in the first container;
- emptying a liquid from a cup into the liquid stowage bin;
- and
- placing the cup in the second container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.