US 12,179,997 B2Granted

Receptacle with expandable cavity

OwnerRonan Heaneyinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Various receptacle embodiments with expandable cavities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a receptacle comprising a first and second frame with a hinge permitting the first frame to pivot about the axis defined by the hinge to expand the volume of the cavity defined by the first and second frame is disclosed. In another embodiment, a receptacle comprising a first and second frame comprising a tension gear mated into a corresponding track is disclosed, permitting lateral movement between the first and second frames to expand the volume of the cavity defined by the first and second frame is disclosed. Other disclosed embodiments comprise lid and foot pedal assemblies as well as spring assist systems and other features.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A receptacle comprising:

a first frame;
a second frame adjoining the first frame to define a cavity with a first volume;
a hinge, defining a first axis and operatively attached to the first frame, wherein the first frame may pivot about the first axis in order to redefine the cavity with a second volume;
and
a gear member comprising a first plurality of teeth disposed on an exterior surface of the second frame mated with a track comprising a second plurality of teeth disposed on an interior surface of the first frame, wherein the gear member and the track are configured to mate and permit lateral movement between the first frame and the second frame in order to redefine the cavity with the second volume, and further wherein when the gear member and the track are mated, the gear member is completely concealed between the first frame and the second frame when the receptacle is in a collapsed state.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/349,518Filed 16 Jun 2021 · us provisional application
Priority: 17 Jun 2020
Published: US 2021/0395006 A123 Dec 2021
Granted: 31 Dec 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B65F 1/02
Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor: without removable inserts
B65F 1/12
Refuse receptacles; Accessories therefor: with devices facilitating emptying
B65F 1/068
With flexible inserts, e.g. bags or sacks: with means aiding the removal of the flexible insert
B65F 1/163
With means for assisting the opening or closing thereof, e.g. springs: pedal-operated lids

Family

Application63/040,396Us provisional application · filed 17 Jun 2020
US 2021/0395006 A1Pre-grant publication · published 23 Dec 2021
US 12,179,997 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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