초록 ▼

The flipping trash can is adapted especially for use in fast-food restaurants or the like. The trash can includes a pedal-operated, spring-biased lid. When the lid is opened, a tray (with trash thereon) is positioned on a tray receiving mechanism that flips the tray so that trash thereon is deposite

The flipping trash can is adapted especially for use in fast-food restaurants or the like. The trash can includes a pedal-operated, spring-biased lid. When the lid is opened, a tray (with trash thereon) is positioned on a tray receiving mechanism that flips the tray so that trash thereon is deposited in a trash bin. The mechanism is designed to then move the empty tray to a storage area for retrieval and reuse. A sound-emitting, electronic device may be attached to the lid and is programmed to emit the phrase “Thank You” when the lid opens. The receptacle can be designed in different configurations (animals, spaceships, autos, etc) to attract attention and enhance aesthetics.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A flipping trash can, comprising: a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls, the top wall having an opening defined therein;a lid pivotally attached to the top wall, the lid being pivotal between a closed position filling the opening in the top w

1. A flipping trash can, comprising: a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls, the top wall having an opening defined therein;a lid pivotally attached to the top wall, the lid being pivotal between a closed position filling the opening in the top wall and an open position extending downward into the housing;a trash container disposed inside the housing for retaining trash deposited in the housing;a ramp positioned inside the housing, the ramp defining a path for a tray deposited in the housing, the ramp having a U-shaped channel mounted thereon positioned below the lid so that an edge of the tray slides into the channel when the lid is pivoted to the open position and so that the tray flips over to dump trash from atop the tray when the lid pivots back to the closed position; andmeans for pivoting the lid between the open and closed positions. 2. The flipping trash can according to claim 1, wherein said ramp has an opening therein spaced above said trash container, whereby trash dumped from the tray when the tray flips over falls into said trash container. 3. The flipping trash can according to claim 1, wherein said ramp is configured with an angled surface. 4. The flipping trash can according to claim 1, wherein said ramp is fabricated with a surface having a low coefficient of friction. 5. The flipping trash can according to claim 1, wherein said means for pivoting the lid comprises a foot pedal and a spring-biased rod extending between the foot pedal and the lid. 6. The flipping trash can according to claim 1, wherein said rear wall has an exit opening defined therein dimensioned and configured for passing the tray outside the housing. 7. The flipping trash can according to claim 6, wherein said ramp defines a chute between said trash container and said rear wall, the tray falling through the chute and out the exit opening after flipping over. 8. A trash receptacle, comprising: a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls, the top wall having an opening defined therein;a lid pivotally attached to the top wall, the lid being pivotal between a closed position filling the opening in the top wall and an open position extending downward into the housing;a trash container removably disposed inside the housing for retaining trash deposited in the housing;a ramp positioned inside the housing, the ramp defining a path for a tray deposited in the housing, the ramp having an opening defined therein disposed over the trash container, the ramp having a U-shaped channel mounted thereon positioned below the lid so that an edge of the tray slides into the channel when the lid is pivoted to the open position and so that the tray flips over to dump trash from atop the tray through the opening into the trash container when the lid pivots back to the closed position; andmeans for pivoting the lid between the open and closed positions. 9. The trash receptacle according to claim 8, wherein said ramp is configured with an angled surface. 10. The trash receptacle according to claim 8, wherein said ramp is fabricated with a surface having a low coefficient of friction. 11. The trash receptacle according to claim 8, wherein said means for pivoting the lid comprises a foot pedal and a spring-biased rod extending between the foot pedal and the lid. 12. The trash receptacle according to claim 8, wherein said rear wall has an exit opening defined therein dimensioned and configured for passing the tray outside the housing. 13. The trash receptacle according to claim 12, wherein said ramp defines a chute between said trash container and said rear wall, the tray falling through the chute and out the exit opening after flipping over. 14. The trash receptacle according to claim 13, further comprising a tray retainer disposed outside the rear wall adjacent the exit opening, whereby trays passing through the exit opening collect on the tray retainer. 15. A trash receptacle, comprising: a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls, the top wall having an opening defined therein;a lid pivotally attached to the top wall, the lid being pivotal between a closed position filling the opening in the top wall and an open position extending downward into the housing;a trash container removably disposed inside the housing for retaining trash deposited in the housing;a ramp positioned inside the housing, the ramp defining a path for a tray deposited in the housing, the ramp having an opening defined therein disposed over the trash container, the ramp having a U-shaped channel mounted thereon positioned below the lid so that an edge of the tray slides into the channel when the lid is pivoted to the open position and so that the tray flips over to dump trash from atop the tray through the opening into the trash container when the lid pivots back to the closed position; anda foot pedal and a spring-biased rod extending between the foot pedal and the lid for pivoting the lid between the open and closed positions. 16. The trash receptacle according to claim 15, further including a plurality of rollers positioned on said ramp. 17. The trash receptacle according to claim 15, wherein said ramp is fabricated with a surface having a low coefficient of friction. 18. The trash receptacle according to claim 15, wherein said rear wall has an exit opening defined therein dimensioned and configured for passing the tray outside the housing. 19. The trash receptacle according to claim 18, wherein said ramp defines a chute between said trash container and said rear wall, the tray falling through the chute and out the exit opening after flipping over. 20. The trash receptacle according to claim 19, further comprising a tray retainer disposed outside the rear wall adjacent the exit opening, whereby trays passing through the exit opening collect on the tray retainer.