Trash container assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knocked-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing trash container. The integrated connection of the side wall, cover and bottom panel components simplifies trash container construction. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate metal fasteners or connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of components by integrally forming the connectors into the injection molded panels which are snapped together to complete the assembly.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is relates to U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 628,636 entitled Secure Trash Container, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to plastic containers, and more specifically, to a plastic trash container assembly utilizing injection molded structural panels having integrally formed connectors. The trash container assembly is capable of being packaged and shipped in a knocked-down state and assembled into a decorative trash container without tools or additional fasteners. BACKGROUND INFORMATION [0003] Refuse or trash containers are a necessity for homeowners and business owners alike. Trash containers are preferably positioned in convenient locations for trash collection, which necessitates a decorative exterior if placed in close proximity to employees at businesses or residents in homes. A common form of trash container comprises a rigid one piece body which forms an i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present invention provides a plurality of injection molded plastic panels having integrated connectors which are capable of being packaged and shipped in a knocked-down state and constructed to form an aesthetically pleasing trash container. The integrated connection of the side wall, cover and bottom panel components simplifies trash container construction. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate metal fasteners or connectors.

[0019] The system incorporates a minimum number of components by integrally forming the connectors into the injection molded panels which are snapped together without tools to complete the assembly. This construction eliminates the need for separate extruded or molded connectors or fasteners to assemble the trash container. Injection molding allows the panels to be formed with a single wall having integral cross-bracing, ribs and gussets for increased rigidity when compared to blow molded or rotationally molded containers. The same side wall and bottom panel components can be used to create a variety of trash containers, and the assembly of the trash container requires minimal hardware and a minimum number of hand tools. The bottom, front and back wall panels have integrally formed outwardly projecting bosses for interlocking cooperative engagement with the left and right side wall panels. The left and right side wall panels are constructed with integrally formed inwardly contoured sockets for interlocking cooperative engagement with the bosses on the edges of the base, front and back side wall panels. The engagement between the bosses and the sockets serve to rigidly connect the components together into a weather resistant trash container.

[0020] The system further includes a one-piece latching cover which is hingedly connected and latched into place after the front, back, side and bottom panels have been fully assembled. Each of the side panels include a removably attached retainer-ramp. The retainer-ramps are constructed and arranged to cooperate with the side panels to support a conventional plastic trash liner without the need for metal frames, arms or fasteners. In addition, the retainer-ramps permit the flexible liner to be retained completely inside of the trash container in contrast with the prior art which folds the liner over the rim of the container or over a metal frame to retain the liner in an open position. Still yet, the ramp portion of the retainer-ramps permit a filled liner to be easily pulled upwardly through the container opening without snagging or catching.

[0022] In addition to the integrally formed bosses constructed to cooperate with the side panels, the lower surface of the base panel includes integrally formed bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with casters to allow easy movement of a loaded or unloaded trash container. The upper surface of the base panel includes a vent allowing filled trash liners to be easily removed by eliminating the vacuum caused within a container when a filled liner engages the side walls.

[0024] A further objective is to provide a trash container having panels with integrated connectors which accommodate injection molding plastic formation of the panel components for increased structural integrity.

[0029] Still yet another objective is to provide a trash container assembly that retains a flexible liner completely inside of the container without requiring separate frames or fasteners for improved aesthetic appearance.

Problems solved by technology

One drawback associated with this type of container occurs when the filled liner engages the side walls of the container.

This engagement often causes difficulty in removing the filled bags from the container.

Typically, the aforementioned one-piece containers are large and incapable of being knocked-down for shipping and storage, adding additional expense to the producer and thus the consumer.

However, the nested containers are bulky and heavy, offering marginal gains to an end consumer.

These types of containers suffer from numerous drawbacks for consumers.

One such drawback relates to assembly of the container.

These containers are often difficult to assemble, requiring tools and a substantial number of fasteners to align the panels and doors for proper operation.

In addition, such containers may require internal linkages for operation of the lid.

Typically, the structure of such devices are complex, requiring numerous small metal and / or plastic fasteners and connector members to maintain a structurally sound container.

Due to the complexity of these devices they are generally only offered to consumers fully assembled and not in a knocked-down condition, and therefore require large shipping containers or crates, thereby increasing the final cost of the product to the consumer.

Such prior art devices, while working well, have not met all of the needs of manufacturers to provide a product that can be easily manufactured, packaged and shipped to the consumer in a knocked-down state.

Nor have they met the needs of consumers requiring structural integrity combined with a pleasing aesthetic appearance and ease of assembly without the need for tools and small fasteners for assembly.

There are also commercial considerations that must be satisfied by any viable trash container assembly; considerations which are not entirely satisfied by state of the art products.

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