초록 ▼

A collection device comprises a shell and an outlet structure. The shell has top and bottom ends, front and rear sides, and left and right sides. The front side defines a front opening, the bottom end defines a lower opening, and an interior cavity connects the front and lower openings. The outlet

A collection device comprises a shell and an outlet structure. The shell has top and bottom ends, front and rear sides, and left and right sides. The front side defines a front opening, the bottom end defines a lower opening, and an interior cavity connects the front and lower openings. The outlet structure extends downwardly from the shell and has a top end defining an upper opening and a bottom end defining an exit. The outlet structure top end attaches to the shell bottom end and encircles the shell lower opening. An interior cavity connects the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit. The outlet structure interior cavity is in communication with the shell interior cavity to allow items to pass between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit. A method of discarding waste using a collection device is provided.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is as follows: 1. A collection device for use with a bag, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity conn

What is claimed is as follows: 1. A collection device for use with a bag, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; and an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein a lip is connected to the outlet structure bottom end and protrudes upwardly therefrom, whereby forming a groove; and further comprising a hoop encircling the outlet structure, the hoop being movable between a first position in which the hoop is separate from the groove and a second position in which the hoop is received in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the hoop and the groove. 2. The collection device as in claim 1, wherein the outlet structure bottom end has a perimeter that is larger than a perimeter of the outlet structure top end. 3. A collection device for use with a bag, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; and an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein a lip is connected to the outlet structure bottom end and protrudes upwardly therefrom, whereby forming a groove; and further comprising a pivoting lever attached to the outlet structure, the lever being pivotable between a first position in which the lever is separate from the groove and a second position in which the lever is entrapped in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the lever and the groove. 4. A collection device for use with a bag, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; and an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein a lip is connected to the outlet structure bottom end and protrudes upwardly therefrom, whereby forming a groove; and further comprising a lever pivotably attached to the outlet structure, the lever having an upper portion rotatably attached to a lower portion, the lever being movable between a first position in which a bottom surface of the lower portion is separate from the groove and a second position in which the lower portion bottom surface is received in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the lower portion bottom surface and the groove. 5. A collection device for installation in a room having a wall, the collection device comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; and an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein the left and right shell sides respectfully define a plurality of pilot holes for allowing the left and right shell sides to be easily attached to the wall. 6. The collection device as in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of fasteners, each fastener having a configuration complementary to a configuration of a respective pilot hole to connect the shell to the wall. 7. The collection device of claim 5, wherein the outlet structure defines a plurality of separate interior cavities, each outlet structure interior cavity being in selective communication with the shell interior cavity. 8. The collection device of claim 5, further comprising: a door attached to the shell for selectively closing the shell front opening; a hinge connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and connected to an interior surface of the door for allowing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge; a pneumatic cylinder connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and an interior surface of the door for causing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge; and a motion sensor in communication with the pneumatic cylinder for selectively actuating the pneumatic cylinder. 9. A collection device for installation in a room having a wall, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; and an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein the front side has a vertical portion and an angled portion; and wherein the front side vertical portion defines the front opening; further comprising a trim piece having a configuration complementary to a configuration of the shell front side vertical portion for integrating the shell front side vertical portion with the wall. 10. The collection device of claim 9, wherein the outlet structure defines a plurality of separate interior cavities, each outlet structure interior cavity being in selective communication with the shell interior cavity. 11. The collection device of claim 9, further comprising: a door attached to the shell for selectively closing the shell front opening; a hinge connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and connected to an interior surface of the door for allowing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge; a pneumatic cylinder connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and an interior surface of the door for causing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge; and a motion sensor in communication with the pneumatic cylinder for selectively actuating the pneumatic cylinder. 12. A collection device for installation in a room having a wall, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; and an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein the front side has a vertical portion and an angled portion; and wherein the front side vertical portion defines the front opening; further comprising a splashguard laterally adjacent the shell front side vertical portion for shielding the wall. 13. The collection device as in claim 12, wherein the splashguard includes indicia engraved by laser etching. 14. The collection device of claim 12, wherein the outlet structure defines a plurality of separate interior cavities, each outlet structure interior cavity being in selective communication with the shell interior cavity. 15. The collection device of claim 12, further comprising: a door attached to the shell for selectively closing the shell front opening; a hinge connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and connected to an interior surface of the door for allowing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge; a pneumatic cylinder connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and an interior surface of the door for causing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge; and a motion sensor in communication with the pneumatic cylinder for selectively actuating the pneumatic cylinder. 16. A collection device, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; and an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein the shell rear side includes a detachable portion; wherein an interior surface of the detachable portion defines a plurality of hooks; wherein the shell rear side defines a plurality of apertures; and wherein each hook has a configuration complementary to a configuration of a respective aperture for selective engagement therewith. 17. A collection device, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein a lip is connected to the outlet structure bottom end and protrudes upwardly therefrom, whereby forming a groove; at least one of: (a) a hoop encircling the outlet structure, the hoop being movable between a first position in which the hoop is separate from the groove and a second position in which the hoop is received in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the hoop and the groove; (b) a pivoting lever attached to the outlet structure, the lever being pivotable between a first position in which the lever is separate from the groove and a second position in which the lever is entrapped in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the lever and the groove; or (c) a lever pivotably attached to the outlet structure, the lever having an upper portion rotatably attached to a lower portion, the lever being movable between a first position in which a bottom surface of the lower portion is separate from the groove and a second position in which the lower portion bottom surface is received in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the lower portion bottom surface and the groove; a door attached to the shell for selectively closing the shell front opening; and a hinge connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and connected to an interior surface of the door for allowing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge. 18. The collection device as in claim 17, further comprising a pneumatic cylinder connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and an interior surface of the door for causing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge. 19. The collection device as in claim 18, further comprising a motion sensor in communication with the pneumatic cylinder for selectively actuating the pneumatic cylinder. 20. A collection device, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; and a diverter between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit, the diverter having: an upright wall selectively movable between first and second configurations; and a switch in communication with the upright wall for selectively moving the upright wall between the first and second configurations. 21. The collection device as in claim 20, wherein: the outlet structure defines a plurality of separate interior cavities, each outlet structure interior cavity being in selective communication with the shell interior cavity; the first diverter configuration provides access to one of the outlet structure cavities from the shell interior cavity; and the second diverter configuration provides access to another of the outlet structure cavities from the shell interior cavity. 22. A collection device, comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; and an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; wherein a lip is connected to the outlet structure bottom end and protrudes upwardly therefrom, whereby forming a groove; at least one of: (a) a hoop encircling the outlet structure, the hoop being movable between a first position in which the hoop is separate from the groove and a second position in which the hoop is received in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the hoop and the groove; (b) a pivoting lever attached to the outlet structure, the lever being pivotable between a first position in which the lever is separate from the groove and a second position in which the lever is entrapped in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the lever and the groove; or (c) a lever pivotably attached to the outlet structure, the lever having an upper portion rotatably attached to a lower portion, the lever being movable between a first position in which a bottom surface of the lower portion is separate from the groove and a second position in which the lower portion bottom surface is received in the groove for selectively ensnaring the bag between the lower portion bottom surface and the groove; a sensor positioned in the outlet structure interior cavity for sensing when the bag is full; and an alarm in communication with the sensor for signaling when the bag is full. 23. The collection device of claim 22, further comprising: a door attached to the shell for selectively closing the shell front opening; a hinge connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and connected to an interior surface of the door for allowing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge; a pneumatic cylinder connected to an interior surface of the shell top end and an interior surface of the door for causing the door to selectively pivot about the hinge; and a motion sensor in communication with the pneumatic cylinder for selectively actuating the pneumatic cylinder. 24. A collection device for installation in a room having a wall, the collection device comprising: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween; an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; and indicia located on the left and right shell sides for aligning the left and right shell sides with the wall; wherein the shell front side has a vertical portion and an angled portion; wherein the shell front side vertical portion defines the front opening; and wherein the indicia are parallel to the shell front side vertical portion and are spaced between ⅜ inch and 1 inch from the shell front side vertical portion. 25. A method of discarding waste from a countertop in a first room to a remote room, comprising: providing a collection device that comprises: a shell having opposed top and bottom ends, opposed front and rear sides, and opposed left and right sides, the front side defining a front opening, the bottom end defining a lower opening, an interior cavity connecting the front opening and the lower opening for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the left and right sides respectfully defining a plurality of pilot holes for allowing the left and right shell sides to be easily attached to the wall; an outlet structure having top and bottom ends, the outlet structure top end being attached to the shell bottom end and encircling the shell lower opening, the outlet structure extending downwardly from the shell, the outlet structure top end defining an upper opening, the outlet structure bottom end defining an exit, an interior cavity connecting the outlet structure upper opening and the outlet structure exit for allowing the passage of items therebetween, the outlet structure interior cavity being in communication with the shell interior cavity for allowing the passage of items between the shell front opening and the outlet structure exit; and a door attached to the shell for selectively closing the shell front opening; aligning the left and right shell sides with a wall; aligning a bottom surface of the shell front opening with a top of the counter top; coupling the left and right shell sides with the wall using fasteners, each fastener having a configuration complementary to a configuration of a respective pilot hole; opening the door; and sliding the waste from the countertop into the shell interior cavity.