US4978018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trash container and bag liner sorter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-07-19
•
Granted: 1990-12-18
•
Expires: 2009-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A waste container has two dividers which are adjustably mounted in the interior of the container to compartmentalize the interior for receiving segregated types of trash. Guides are provided to adjust the angle of orientation of each divider, while a detachable coupling is provided in the bottom of the container for optionally removing the dividers and allowing for pivotal movement thereof to adjust the angular orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L. Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:51
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65F; B65F1/00; B65F1/04; B65F1/06; B65F1/0033; B65F1/004; B65F1/0046; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/908; Y10S220/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A household waste container comprising: a bottom; two opposite side walls and two opposite end walls extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating in an open top, the bottom, two side walls and two end walls forming an interior space; at least one divider removably and adjustably mounted in the interior space; guide means disposed in the interior space for positionally fixing an angle of orientation with respect to each at least one divider; and detachable coupling means, disposed within the interior, for detachably coupling each at least one divider within the interior, wherein the detachable coupling means comprises at least one hinge having a first portion formed on the bottom of the container and a complementary second portion formed on the at least one divider.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A household waste container comprising: a bottom; two opposite side walls and two opposite end walls extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating in an open top, the bottom, two side walls and two end walls forming an interior space; at least one divider removably and adjustably mounted in the interior space; guide means disposed in the interior space for positionally fixing an angle of orientation with respect to each at least one divider; and detachable coupling means, disposed within the interior, for detachably coupling each at least one divider within the interior, wherein the detachable coupling means comprises at least one hinge having a first portion formed on the bottom of the container and a complementary second portion formed on the at least one divider.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide means comprises a series of paired protrusions formed along the opposite side walls on inner surfaces thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, wherein each guide comprises a pair of spaced apart tracks formed along the opposite side walls near the top of the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivotal coupling means comprises a hinge disposed on the bottom of the container and coupling to a bottom of each at least one divider.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hinge includes a clip which snap-fits into openings provided in the bottom of each at least one divider.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one divider comprises two dividers having a common pivotal connection at the bottom of the container through the detachable coupling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one divider comprises two dividers having separate pivotal connections at points equidistantly spaced longitudinally on the bottom of the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lid pivotally connected to an upper portion of the two opposite side walls and covering the open top of the container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a removable and throw-away trash bag disposed in each of the plurality of compartments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one divider has a cut away portion which facilitates pivotal movement of the lid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one divider compartmentalizes the interior space by forming a plurality of compartments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 11, wherein each trash bag is frangibly connected to each other along an adjacent edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion the at least one hinge is a U-shaped clip having a central opening through which a lower end of the at least one divider is inserted, and the second portion of the at least hinge is an opening formed in the lower end of the at least one divider.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A waste container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the at least one hinge are snap-fitted together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-17 | 1994-06-18 | 1994-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-17 | 1998-06-18 | 1998-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-17 | 2002-06-18 | 2002-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |