초록 ▼

A receptacle that counts empty beverage cans for recycling frames an opening of a waste receptacle such as a trash can or recycling bin. The apparatus includes an actuation arm located inside the opening. The arm is pressed to the side whenever a can is inserted into the waste receptacle. The arm is

A receptacle that counts empty beverage cans for recycling frames an opening of a waste receptacle such as a trash can or recycling bin. The apparatus includes an actuation arm located inside the opening. The arm is pressed to the side whenever a can is inserted into the waste receptacle. The arm is connected to a mechanical counter located on an outside of a lid. After each can is added, the counter increments by one (1) to indicate the number of beverage cans inside of the container. The counter can be reset when the container is emptied or the bag changed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A waste container, comprising: a container body comprising a housing structure;a lid on said container body, said lid having a lid aperture; and,a receptacle receiver superjacent said lid aperture, said receptacle receiver having a sidewall with an access aperture that leads to a channel having a

1. A waste container, comprising: a container body comprising a housing structure;a lid on said container body, said lid having a lid aperture; and,a receptacle receiver superjacent said lid aperture, said receptacle receiver having a sidewall with an access aperture that leads to a channel having a top opening and which is disposed over said lid aperture; and,a counting device affixed to said sidewall, said counting device comprising: an actuation arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said actuation arm extending through said access aperture such that said distal end terminates within said channel and said proximal end extends outside of said receptacle receiver;an indexing shaft directly attached to said actuation arm proximal end;a counting mechanism operably connected to said indexing shaft;a counter reset operably connected to said counting mechanism;a contact plate attached to said actuation arm distal end; and,a spring external to said receptacle receiver, said spring biasing said actuation arm upward;wherein said receptacle receiver is adapted to receive an item deposited therein;wherein said counting device counts when an item deposited in said receptacle receiver depresses said contact plate;wherein said counting device displays said count as an incremental digit on said counting mechanism and stores said count; and,wherein said counter reset zeroes said count. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein said counting mechanism further comprises: a ratchet in mechanical communication with an engagement tine on a drum portion of said indexing shaft; and,a plurality of digit wheels in mechanical communication with said ratchet;wherein said indexing shaft advances said plurality of digit wheels to said advanced position via said ratchet; and,wherein each of said plurality of digit wheels comprises incremental numerals disposed thereon, said numerals corresponding to said count. 3. The receptacle of claim 2, wherein said lid is removably attached to an upper perimeter edge of said housing structure. 4. The container of claim 3, wherein said receptacle receiver is fastened to a top surface of said lid by at least one angle clip, configured to receive a fastener. 5. The container of claim 3, wherein said receptacle receiver and said lid are a unitary structure. 6. The container of claim 2, wherein said lid is hingedly attached to an upper perimeter edge of said housing structure. 7. The container of claim 6, wherein said receptacle receiver is fastened to a top surface of said lid by at least one angle clip, configured to receive a fastener. 8. The container of claim 6, wherein said receptacle receiver and said lid are a unitary structure. 9. A lid for a waste container, comprising: a lid aperture configured to be in fluid communication with an interior of said waste container; and,a receptacle receiver removably attached to said lid, said receptacle receiver having a sidewall with an access aperture that leads to an internal channel having a top opening and which is disposed over said lid aperture and a counting device affixed to said sidewall about said access aperture, an actuation arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said actuation arm linearly extending inwardly through said access aperture such that said distal end terminates in said channel, and a contact plate attached to said actuation arm distal end;wherein said counting device further comprises: an indexing shaft directly attached to said actuation arm proximal end;a spring biasing said actuation arm such that said contact plate resides within said channel:a counting mechanism operably connected to said indexing shaft; and,a counter reset operably connected to said counting mechanism;wherein said lid is adapted to attach to a waste container;wherein said receptacle receiver is adapted to receive an item deposited therein;wherein said counting device counts when a deposited item depresses said contact plate;wherein said counting device displays said count as an incremental digit on said counting mechanism and stores said count; and,wherein said counter reset zeroes said count. 10. The lid of claim 9, wherein said counting mechanism further comprises: a ratchet in mechanical communication with an engagement tine on a drum portion of said indexing shaft; and,a plurality of digit wheels in mechanical communication with said ratchet;wherein said indexing shaft advances said plurality of digit wheels to said advanced position via said ratchet; and,wherein each of said plurality of digit wheels comprises incremental numerals disposed thereon, said numerals corresponding to said count. 11. The lid of claim 9, wherein said receptacle receiver is fastened to a top surface of said lid by at least one angle clip, configured to receive a fastener. 12. A lid for a waste container, comprising: a lid aperture disposed over an interior of said waste container; and,an upwardly extending receptacle receiver forming an integral part of the lid, the receptacle receiver forming an internal channel between an upper aperture and a lower aperture, said receptacle receiver having a sidewall with an access aperture and a counting device affixed to said sidewall and having an actuation arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said actuation arm extending through said access aperture and into said channel, said receptacle receiver further having a contact plate attached to said actuation arm distal end;wherein said counting device further comprises: an indexing shaft directly attached to said actuation arm proximal end;a spring biasing said actuation arm upward;a counting mechanism operably connected to said indexing shaft; and,a counter reset operably connected to said counting mechanism;wherein said lid is adapted to cover said waste container;wherein said receptacle receiver is adapted to receive an item deposited therein;wherein said counting device counts when said item deposited within said actuation arm contacts said contact plate;wherein said counting device displays a count as an incremental digit on said counting mechanism and stores said count; and wherein said counter reset zeroes said count. 13. The lid of claim 12, wherein said counting mechanism further comprises: a ratchet in mechanical communication with an engagement tine on a drum portion of said indexing shaft; and,a plurality of digit wheels in mechanical communication with said ratchet;wherein said indexing shaft advances said plurality of digit wheels to said advanced position via said ratchet; and,wherein each of said plurality of digit wheels comprises incremental numerals disposed thereon, said numerals corresponding to said count.