Trash compactor

Claim 2

A compact, portable, trash compacting canister comprising a receptacle for receiving trash; a lid adapted to cover said receptacle; latch means for locking said lid in a closed position on said receptacle; and air-operated compaction means arranged to expand within said receptacle; an exhaust path for said compaction means directed into said receptacle and including atomizing means for adding a liquid to air exhausting from said compaction means into said receptacle.

Claim 3

A light weight, self-contained, free standing power trash compacting canister adapted for convenient portability for use in various locations in the home comprising a free standing receptacle for receiving trash, said receptacle having a top opening; a lid pivotally mounted on said receptacle and arranged to cover said opening when closed; latch means for locking said lid to said receptacle in said closed position; an air-operated compaction means arranged to expand between said lid and the bottom of said receptacle for compacting trash contained therein; an electrically operated air compressor mounted on said canister for causing expansion of said compaction means; operator-controlled means for energizing said compressor to expand said compaction means; an interlock to prevent energization of said compressor unless said latch is in the closed position; automatic means for deenergizing said compressor upon completion of a compaction cycle; means for returning said compaction means to a collapsed position upon completion of a cycle; and means for connecting said canister to a source of electric power.

Claim 4

A light weight, self-contained, free standing power trash compacting canister adapted for convenient portability for use in various locations in the home comprising a free standing receptacle for receiving trash, said receptacle having a top opening; a lid pivotally mounted on said receptacle and arranged to cover said opening when closed; latch means for locking said lid to said receptacle in said closed position; an air-operated compaction means arranged to expand between said lid and the bottom of said receptacle for compacting trash contained therein; an electrically operated air compressor mounted on said canister for causing expansion of said compaction means; operator-controlled means for energizing said compressor to expand said compaction means; an interlock to prevent energization of said compressor unless said latch is in the closed position; automatic means for deenergizing said compressor upon completion of a compaction cycle; means for returning said compaction means to a collapsed position upon completion of a cycle; and means for connecting said canister to a source of electric power.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said compaction means comprises an air-tight expansible bag mounted on said lid.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cross-sectional area of said receptacle is greater at the top than at the bottom to facilitate removal of compacted trash therefrom.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said lid and said receptacle are coupled by said latch means to take up compaction forces produced by expansion of said compaction means against trash in said receptacle; said canister further comprising a light-weight removable self-supporting liner disposed within and substantially conforming to said receptacle, to facilitate removal of compacted trash and cleaning.

Claim 8

A light weight, self-contained, free standing power trash compacting canister adapted for convenient portability for use in various locations in the home comprising: a free standing receptacle for receiving trash, said receptacle having a top opening; a lid pivotally mounted on said receptacle and arranged to cover said opening when closed; counterbalancing means associated with said lid to enable controlled operation of said lid between the open and closed positions thereof; latch means for locking said lid to said receptacle in said closed position; air-operated compaction means arranged to expand between said lid and the bottom of said receptacle, said compaction means including a rigid platen for compacting trash contained therein; means for maintaining said platen in a substantially horizontal plane during expansion of said compaction means; an electrically operated air compressor mounted on said canister for causing expansion of said compaction means; an operator-controlled switch for energizing said compressor to expand sAid compaction means; an interlock for preventing energization of said compressor unless said latch is in the closed position; automatic means for deenergizing said compressor upon completion of a compaction cycle; exhaust means for permitting air to escape from said compaction means after a compaction stroke of said platen; means for returning said compaction means to a collapsed position upon completion of a cycle; and means for connecting said canister to a source of electric power.

Claim 9

A light weight, self-contained, free standing power trash compacting canister adapted for convenient portability for use in various locations in the home comprising: a free standing receptacle for receiving trash, said receptacle having a top opening; a lid pivotally mounted on said receptacle and arranged to cover said opening when closed; counterbalancing means associated with said lid to enable controlled operation of said lid between the open and closed positions thereof; latch means for locking said lid to said receptacle in said closed position; air-operated compaction means arranged to expand between said lid and the bottom of said receptacle, said compaction means including a rigid platen for compacting trash contained therein; means for maintaining said platen in a substantially horizontal plane during expansion of said compaction means; an electrically operated air compressor mounted on said canister for causing expansion of said compaction means; an operator-controlled switch for energizing said compressor to expand sAid compaction means; an interlock for preventing energization of said compressor unless said latch is in the closed position; automatic means for deenergizing said compressor upon completion of a compaction cycle; exhaust means for permitting air to escape from said compaction means after a compaction stroke of said platen; means for returning said compaction means to a collapsed position upon completion of a cycle; and means for connecting said canister to a source of electric power.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said platen is rounded to produce tipping and churning of objects in said receptacle.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein a foot-operated linkage is provided for moving said lid to an open position.

Claim 12

A compact, portable, trash compacting canister comprising a receptacle having an opening for receiving trash; a cover member adapted to close said opening; latch means for locking said cover in a closed position; air-operated compaction means arranged to expand within said receptacle; and an exhaust path for said compaction means directed into said receptacle and including atomizing means for adding a liquid to air exhausting from said compaction means into said receptacle.

Claim 13

A compact, portable, trash compacting canister comprising a receptacle having an opening for receiving trash; a cover member adapted to close said opening; latch means for locking said cover in a closed position; air-operated compaction means arranged to expand within said receptacle; and an exhaust path for said compaction means directed into said receptacle and including atomizing means for adding a liquid to air exhausting from said compaction means into said receptacle.