Trash Can With Auto Lid Locking Mechanism

What is this patent about?

’738 is related to the field of waste disposal, specifically trash cans. Conventional trash cans often allow unwanted access to waste by pets, children, or pests, leading to spillage and potential contamination. The patent addresses the need for a more secure and hygienic trash can design.

The underlying idea behind ’738 is to create a trash can with an automatically locking lid that only opens when a continuous force is applied to a foot pedal. Releasing the pedal causes the lid to automatically close and lock, preventing unauthorized access to the contents, even if the can is tipped over.

The claims of ’738 focus on a trash can comprising a lid, a can body, a foot pedal, an elongated link member, a hinge, a strike plate, a latch assembly with a hook and spring, a lever, and a wire. The key is the interaction between these components: depressing the pedal lifts the link member, which actuates the hinge to open the lid and simultaneously pulls a wire to release the latch, allowing the lid to open. Releasing the pedal reverses this process, closing and automatically latching the lid .

In practice, the foot pedal is depressed, lifting the elongated link member. This action serves two purposes: it rotates the hinge to initiate the lid opening, and it triggers the lever via a stopper. The lever then pulls the wire, disengaging the hook from the strike plate, thus unlocking the lid. The spring-loaded hook ensures that the latch automatically re-engages when the pedal is released, securing the lid.

The design differs from traditional pedal-operated trash cans by incorporating a latching mechanism that actively locks the lid, rather than relying solely on gravity to keep it closed. Furthermore, the pedal can be recessed to prevent accidental activation by animals. The closing force is provided by the spring in the latch assembly, ensuring the lid closes even if the can is not upright, a significant improvement over designs that depend on the lid's weight.