초록 ▼

A waste container includes a top chamber, a base chamber, upper and lower lids, and a drive mechanism mechanically coupling the lower lid with the upper lid. The upper lid is disposed on the top chamber and moves between a closed position covering a first opening and an open position exposing the fi

A waste container includes a top chamber, a base chamber, upper and lower lids, and a drive mechanism mechanically coupling the lower lid with the upper lid. The upper lid is disposed on the top chamber and moves between a closed position covering a first opening and an open position exposing the first opening. The lower lid is disposed on the base chamber and moves between a closed position covering a second opening and an open position exposing the second opening. The drive mechanism is actuated so as to move the lower lid to the open position when the upper lid moves to the closed position from the open position. The lower lid returns to the closed position when the upper lid is in the closed position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A waste container, comprising a housing including a top chamber with a first opening for receiving waste and a base chamber disposed below the top chamber and having a second opening for receiving waste from the top chamber;an upper lid disposed on the top chamber that moves between a closed posi

1. A waste container, comprising a housing including a top chamber with a first opening for receiving waste and a base chamber disposed below the top chamber and having a second opening for receiving waste from the top chamber;an upper lid disposed on the top chamber that moves between a closed position covering the first opening of the top chamber and an open position exposing the first opening;a lower lid disposed on the base chamber that moves between a closed position covering the second opening of the base chamber and an open position exposing the second opening; anda drive mechanism mechanically coupling the lower lid with the upper lid, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be actuated so as to engage and force the lower lid from the closed position to the open position when the upper lid moves toward the closed position from the open position. 2. The waste container of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism releases its force on the lower lid in the open position so as to allow the lower lid to return from the open position back to the closed position when the upper lid is in the closed position. 3. The waste container of claim 1, wherein the upper lid is hinged to the top chamber. 4. The waste container of claim 1, wherein the lower lid is hinged to the base chamber. 5. The waste container of claim 1, wherein the top chamber is hinged to the base chamber. 6. The waste container of claim 1, wherein the lower lid forms an air tight seal over the second opening when the lower lid is in the closed position. 7. The waste container of claim 1, further comprising an odor absorber disposed in the top chamber. 8. The waste container of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is operated by a foot pedal. 9. The waste container of claim 1, wherein the base chamber has a third opening disposed opposite to and below the second opening. 10. The waste container of claim 9, the housing including a storage chamber disposed below the third opening, for containing waste. 11. The waste container of claim 10, wherein the storage chamber includes a bag securely attached to the base chamber below the third opening so as to receive waste passing through the third opening. 12. The waste container of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a pivot arm having a first end and a second end, and an actuator linkage interposed between the pivot arm and the upper lid. 13. The waste container of claim 12, wherein the actuator linkage includes an extension that engages with the first end of pivot arm and forces the pivot arm from a first position to a second position when the drive mechanism is actuated, wherein the lower lid correspondingly moves from the closed position to the open position by force of the second end of the pivot arm on an engagement member of the lower lid. 14. The waste container of claim 13, wherein the extension of the actuator linkage releases its force on the pivot arm when the pivot arm reaches the second position, wherein the lower lid automatically returns to the closed position. 15. The waste container of claim 14, wherein, when the lower lid closes, the engagement member of the lower lid places force against the second end of the pivot arm so as to move the pivot arm back to the first position. 16. The waste container of claim 13, wherein the lower lid includes a counter weight that biases the lower lid in the closed position, wherein upon actuation, the drive mechanism overcomes the bias of the counter weight, and the lower lid is moved from the closed position to the open position by force of the pivot arm. 17. The waste container of claim 16, wherein when the extension of the actuator linkage releases its force on the pivot arm, the counter weight automatically returns the lower lid to the closed position and forces the engagement member of the lower lid against the second end of the pivot arm so as to move the pivot arm back to the first position. 18. A method for storing waste in a waste container, comprising: opening an upper lid disposed on a top chamber from a closed position to an open position so as to expose a first opening in the top chamber;placing waste into the exposed first opening, wherein the waste passes through the first opening into the top chamber; andmoving the upper lid from the open position toward the closed position so as to actuate a drive mechanism that engages and forces a lower lid from a closed position to the open position, the lower lid being disposed on a base chamber that is connected to the top chamber below the first opening and includes a second opening for receiving waste from the top chamber, wherein the lower lid covers the second opening when the lower lid is in the closed position and exposes the second opening when the lower lid is in the open position, wherein the waste passes through the second opening into the base chamber from the top chamber. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the base chamber includes a third opening opposite the second opening, wherein the waste passes from the base chamber through the third opening into a storage chamber disposed below the third opening. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the drive mechanism releases its force on the lower lid in the open position so as to allow the lower lid to return from the open position back to the closed position when the upper lid is in the closed position.