US 8,157,159 B2 · Flipping trash can

Abstract

The flipping trash can is adapted especially for use in fast-food restaurants or the like. The trash can includes a pedal-operated, spring-biased lid. When the lid is opened, a tray (with trash thereon) is positioned on a tray receiving mechanism that flips the tray so that trash thereon is deposited in a trash bin. The mechanism is designed to then move the empty tray to a storage area for retrieval and reuse. A sound-emitting, electronic device may be attached to the lid and is programmed to emit the phrase “Thank You” when the lid opens. The receptacle can be designed in different configurations (animals, spaceships, autos, etc) to attract attention and enhance aesthetics.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A flipping trash can, comprising:

a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls, the top wall having an opening defined therein;
a lid pivotally attached to the top wall, the lid being pivotal between a closed position filling the opening in the top wall and an open position extending downward into the housing;
a trash container disposed inside the housing for retaining trash deposited in the housing;
a ramp positioned inside the housing, the ramp defining a path for a tray deposited in the housing, the ramp having a U-shaped channel mounted thereon positioned below the lid so that an edge of the tray slides into the channel when the lid is pivoted to the open position and so that the tray flips over to dump trash from atop the tray when the lid pivots back to the closed position;
and
means for pivoting the lid between the open and closed positions.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flipping trash can

Life of this patent

Flipping trash can

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20