Apparatus and method for collecting and transferring yard waste

Abstract

A vented transfer container for household and yard waste is provided that includes ventilation openings to prevent the formation of a vacuum between contents and container upon transfer of contents to a collection bag. An alternative embodiment comprises an internal drain cup that closes the vents in the upright position and collects drainage from the waste, seals in odors and keeps out insects while gravity and vacuum cause the internal drain cup to open the vent openings when the container is inverted for transfer of waste. Alternately, the drain cup is external and comprises extraction handles. Still further, vents may be internal channels within the walls of the transfer container making the container leak-proof. Suction holes in the outer container wall near the rim keep the collection bag in contact with the container wall during transfer so that the collection bag remains open without user intervention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 249,378, filed Oct. 7, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for collecting yard waste in a vented transfer container and transferring the debris to a collection bag. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vented transfer container, such as a trash can, that is tailored for the collection of yard debris and further facilitates transfer of the contents held therein to a disposal bag, such as a disposable and / or compostable plastic or paper bag.[0003]It is well known that raking, collecting and bagging leaves and other yard debris is a time consuming and strenuous chore. Typically, people rake or blow the leaves into piles and transfer the piles to individual bags or trash barrels for transp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]A collection apparatus, specifically a vented transfer container that facilitates the method of collecting debris and transferring it to a collection bag, is also disclosed. The transfer container may be formed in the same manner as a traditional trash can having rigid walls, with sides that may taper inward from the rim to the base, and having vents that break the vacuum that typically is created when a collection bag is extracted from known debris collection containers. The vents of the disclosed vented transfer container may use one or more vent openings in the base and / or the sidewalls of the vented transfer container. These vent openings may be permanently open. The vent openings may also be closed during the task of collecting and compacting yard waste or other debris and open when the vented transfer container is inverted during transfer to a collection bag. The vent openings may also be configured into passages that loop over the top rim of the transfer container to connect the inside of the transfer container, preferably in the vicinity of the base, to the outside of the transfer container, preferably near its bottom, to facilitate the containment and transfer of wet materials.

[0009]In an alternate embodiment, the vented transfer container also comprises one or more grips or extraction handles that may be attached to, or integrated into, the base of the transfer container to facilitate extracting the vented transfer container from the collection bag after transfer of the contents to the bag. Optionally, accessory items, such as a known lid to close the vented transfer container and protect against insect infestation and rain, a vented lid for attaching a vacuum hose, and a compaction tamper, may be provided to ease the task of collecting debris, compacting it, and transferring it to a collection bag, as more fully described below.

[0010]It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that facilitates the filling of a vented transfer container wherein the contents are compacted. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that allows the easy transfer of compacted debris contained in a trash can to a light weight collection bag without undue maneuverings, strain and heavy lifting by a user. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that minimizes the risk of puncturing or tearing collection bags, especially if twigs and yard clipping are collected. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that prevents a vacuum from forming between the inner container walls and the collection bag, which tends to impede extraction of the bag from a trash can. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that incorporates vacuum-breaking venting yet prevents insect infestation and liquids from leaking out when wet contents are collected. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yard debris collection method and apparatus that does not require a user to hold up the open end of a collection bag during transfer of waste from a trash can and prevents the open bag from dropping to the ground and spilling its contents during the transfer.

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that raking, collecting and bagging leaves and other yard debris is a time consuming and strenuous chore.

The major problem with this method is that known lawn and leaf bags do not stay open without some additional support and bags tend to tear when the contents are compacted.

When transferring such bulky debris into light-gauge collection bags, that typically are made from thin plastic foil, these bags tend to collapse during filling and need to be held open by support structures.

Further, plastic bags can easily be pierced by twigs and tear and while compostable paper bags may be less likely to collapse, tip over or be pierced, they tend to be costly to purchase.

Typically, it is difficult to maintain the bag in the proper position inside a firm-walled trash can while filling it.

Further, twigs tend to snag the bag and perforate it during filling.

It is also often difficult to extract a filled collection bag out of a known trash can because it may be heavy, needs to be lifted vertically high enough to clear the rim of the trash can, is likely to bind against the walls of the trash barrel and tends to tear during removal.

Additionally, extraction of a full collection bag tends to create a vacuum between the outer surface of the bag and the container walls, especially when the contents have been compacted, thereby increasing friction against the container walls, making the task of lifting the bag out of the container difficult and strenuous for a user.

This device, however, has sharp edges and corners that tend to puncture or tear the collection bag during insertion and removal.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,690 (McEniry) discloses a support structure for suspending an open bag from a wall, but this device is not appropriate for yard work because it requires that the support structure be permanently attached to a wall-like structure.

These devices are inconvenient to attach to a collection bag and only hold open the mouth of the collection bag, making it difficult to fill the bag or compress its contents because the bag is unsupported along its sides.

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