Rigid trash receptacle with retractable strap

Abstract

A rigid trash receptacle with retractable strap for receiving a trash can liner and securing it to the upper rim of a rigid trash receptacle in order to keep the trash can liner from falling into the rigid trash receptacle when it is being filled. Such a securing system includes a rigid trash receptacle with a protruding upper rim, a retractable strap and a rigid hook on the protruding end of a strap that is contained in a strap retractor mechanism which the strap can be spooled out of and retracted back into with the help of a torsion spring, and a pointed stake protruding from the outside of the rigid trash receptacle that is mounted close to the upper rim of the rigid trash receptacle enabling the retractable strap to wrap around the upper rim of the rigid trash receptacle and eventually be hooked onto the pointed stake pinning the open end of the trash can liner to the upper rim of the trash can.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Trash can liners have been used within rigid trash receptacles to keep trash in a confined and easy to manage space for easy removal.[0002]In the past suspending a trash can liner upright within a rigid trash receptacle has been problematic. The trash can liners are usually placed within a rigid trash receptacle and opened with the opening of the trash can liner being folded over the upper rim of the rigid trash receptacle. The trash can liner then stands within the rigid trash receptacle with nothing to hold it up. When it comes time to deposit trash into the trash can liner, the heavy trash forces the top of the trash can liner to separate from the protruding upper rim of the rigid trash receptacle and descend into the rigid trash receptacle folding over on itself and closing the opening to the trash can liner. This can cause some of the trash to fall outside the trash can liner causing articles to fall inside the rigid trash receptacle and outside...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a new and improved securing system for trash can liners in rigid trash receptacles. The system includes a rigid trash receptacle with a fluted design that allows for stacking with limited loss of space, a retractable strap that wraps around the upper rim of the receptacle, and a protruding pointed stake that enables the strap to change direction by 90 degrees. This allows the strap to secure the trash can liner to the upper rim of the receptacle. The technical effect of this invention is that it ensures the trash can liner stays upright and does not collapse inside the receptacle, which can be filled safely and efficiently.

Problems solved by technology

In the past suspending a trash can liner upright within a rigid trash receptacle has been problematic.

This can cause some of the trash to fall outside the trash can liner causing articles to fall inside the rigid trash receptacle and outside of the trash can liner.

The constant failure of the trash can liner to stay suspended in a rigid trash receptacle increases expenses, consumes time, reduces convenience and lowers the overall utility of the rigid trash receptacle.

Currently there is no device available which simply and easily facilitates the engagement and retention of a trash can liner to the upper rim of a rigid trash receptacle while allowing for easy disengagement and unencumbered storage and transportation.

However, this device suffers from certain drawbacks.

The biggest drawback is the fact that the stretchable elastic element is not secured to the rigid trash receptacle so it must be removed and put somewhere which can cause it to be misplaced and not available when it is needed.

The stretchable elastic element can also be used for some type of other application which can also cause it to be misplaced.

When this stretchable elastic element is somehow secured to the outside of a trash can there is the drawback of it protruding from the outside of the rigid trash receptacle limiting the ability of the rigid trash receptacle to be stacked so the rigid trash receptacle can be easily distributed and stored.

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