Vacuum Trash Container for No-Bend Fine Debris Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional trash containers require bending to collect debris, which can cause back pain and are inadequate for collecting fine particulate matter, and existing solutions like long-handled dust pans and vacuum dust pans are either ineffective or cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A trash container with a base that has an aperture for suction to draw debris into a collection chamber, reducing the need to bend and effectively capturing fine particulates by using a vacuum system integrated with a channel and collection chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional trash containers with upper opening are used, then simple structure is maintained, but bending is required to collect debris which causes back pain and injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of debris collectionVSAvoidback pain and injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the user to bend down and pick up debris from the ground, the invention inverts the approach by providing suction at the base level to draw debris upward into the container. The vacuum cleaner collects debris at ground level and directs it through a channel into the receptacle, eliminating the need for bending while maintaining effective debris collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If long handled dust pans are used, then bending is eliminated, but fine particulate matter collection becomes inadequate and debris is harder to see

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of debris collectionVSAvoidfine particle collection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical dust pan system with a vacuum-based collection system. Instead of using a dust pan that relies on visual contact and manual sweeping, the vacuum cleaner uses suction to draw in debris including fine particulate matter that would be difficult to collect mechanically. The aperture at base level allows the vacuum to effectively capture fine particles at ground level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If vacuum dust pans are used, then fine particulate debris collection is improved, but device weight increases and requires transferring debris to waste receptacle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefine particle collection effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the vacuum collection system with the waste receptacle into a single integrated unit. The vacuum cleaner collects debris through the aperture at the base level and directs it through a channel directly into the receptacle that is part of the same device. This eliminates the need for separate vacuum dust pans and the manual transfer of debris to a waste receptacle, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective fine particle collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If vacuum draws debris into bottom of container, then debris collection is achieved, but container must be emptied frequently when bottom fills up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris collection effectivenessVSAvoidcontainer usage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the spatial dimension of debris deposition by directing collected debris to the top of the container rather than the bottom. The vacuum cleaner draws debris through the aperture at base level and channels it upward into the receptacle at the top of the container. This allows the container to be used continuously without frequent emptying, as debris accumulates at the top where it can be easily removed when full.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient collection of debris without bending, effectively capturing fine particulates and reducing the need for frequent emptying of a separate vacuum bag, as debris is automatically directed into the receptacle.

Implementation Method 1

A vacuum is operable to draw debris through the aperture into a channel adjacent to the base and toward the receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

A collection chamber is configured to receive and collect debris from the channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapture:

Data Source

PatentUS7578024B2Trash container with a vacuum

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 HUGHES DANIEL

AI summary

A trash container having a base disposed on a support surface. The base has an aperture adjacent the support surface. A receptacle is disposed above the base. The receptacle contains debris received from an opening in an upper end of the receptacle. A vacuum draws debris through the aperture into a channel adjacent to the base and toward the receptacle. A collection chamber is associated with the receptacle and is configured to receive and collect debris from the vacuum and direct debris into the receptacle. The trash container can also include a lid disposed on an upper end of the receptacle. A method of collecting debris for depositing in a trash container includes providing suction to an aperture in a base of the trash container to draw debris from a surface adjacent the container. The method also includes capturing the debris drawn through the aperture in a collection chamber.