Refuse receptacle with integrated replacement liner retaining and dispensing means

Abstract

A refuse receptacle for use in storing trash, recyclables and the like, is described that integrates into the upper end thereof a retaining means by which replacement liners may be stored and dispensed proximate their point of use. In one embodiment of the invention, the retaining means is integrated into the rim of the receptacle and may form an upwardly opening cavity in which replacement liners may be stored, a notch into which a separate storage tray may be fitted and held in place with a slot and tab mechanism, or other similar formations. In another embodiment the retaining means is integrated into the upper end of the receptacle and may form a shelf housing into which a tray for retaining liners may be fitted, a bracket mechanism to releasably retain a roll of liners, or other similar formations. In yet other embodiments of the invention, a lid is included. In still other embodiments, stabilizing means are provided to counter-weight the set of replacement liners.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and,    a retaining means integral with said upper end to retain a set of replacement liners.    
     
     
         2 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and,    a retaining means integral with the upper rim to retain a set of replacement liners.    
     
     
         3 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and,    a retaining means integral with the upper rim to retain a set of replacement liners, said retaining means comprising an extension of the rim into which is integrally molded an upwardly opening cavity to house the set of replacement liners.    
     
     
         4 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 3 , in which the retaining means further comprises a cap unit fittable to an opening of the cavity to retain the set of replacement liners as they are individually dispensed through an elongated slot in the cap unit.  
     
     
         5 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 3 , in which the retaining means further comprises a cap unit fittable to an opening of the cavity to retain the set of replacement liners, said cavity further comprising an elongated slot located in a bottom portion thereof to allow the downward, individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         6 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and,    a retaining means integral with the upper rim to retain a set of replacement liners, said retaining means comprising: 
 an extension of the rim into which is integrally molded an inwardly extending elongated rectangular notch;  
 a separate housing means to house the set of replacement liners, said housing means comprising a hollow tray having an upper open end and a rim; and,  
 a housing engagement means to hold the tray securely in the rectangular notch.  
   
     
     
         7 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 6 , in which the housing engagement means comprises a tab and slot mechanism, said tab and slot mechanism being adapted to securely engage the tray and to prevent same from freely exiting the rectangular notch.  
     
     
         8 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 6 , in which the retaining means further comprises a cap unit fittable to the notch opening to retain the set of replacement liners as they are individually dispensed through an elongated slot in the cap unit.  
     
     
         9 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 6 , in which the retaining means further comprises a cap unit fittable to the notch opening to retain the set of replacement liners, and in which said tray further comprises an elongated slot located in a bottom portion thereof to allow the downward, individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         10 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 6 , in which the hollow tray of the separate housing means comprises a packaging in which the set of replacement liners is provided.  
     
     
         11 . The packaging of  claim 10 , further forming an elongated slot to allow the individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         12 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and,    a retaining means integral with the upper end of the side wall to retain a set of replacement liners.    
     
     
         13 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and,    a retaining means integral with and extending outward from the upper end of the side wall to retain a set of replacement liners, said retaining means comprising a bracketing mechanism to releasably retain a set of replacement liners, said set of replacement liners forming a roll mounted on a hollow core element.    
     
     
         14 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and,    a retaining means integral with and extending outward from the upper end of the side wall to retain a set of replacement liners, said retaining means comprising a support sized to insertably hold a hollow tray in which is housed a set of replacement liners.    
     
     
         15 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base;    a retaining means integral with said upper end to retain a set of replacement liners; and, a lid.    
     
     
         16 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base;    a retaining means integral with said upper end to retain a set of replacement liners; and,    a lid sized to fit to said upper rim and to cover said retaining means.    
     
     
         17 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the container being adapted to receive therein an inner liner having an open end generally positioned over the rim of the opening;    a retaining means integral with said upper end to retain a set of replacement liners; and,    
     
     
         18 . a lid sized to fit to said upper rim and to cover said retaining means, the open end of said inner liner being held therebetween when the lid is placed in position on the rim. The refuse receptacle of  claim 15 , wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the upper rim on the side opposite the retaining means, said lid being pivotable between a first position, wherein the lid is disposed substantially co-planarly with the upper rim of the container, and at least a second position, wherein at least a portion of the lid is raised above the rim of the container.  
     
     
         19 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base;    a retaining means integral with said upper end to retain a set of replacement liners; and,    a stabilizing means.    
     
     
         20 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 19 , in which the stabilizing means comprises a flange fittable to the base of the refuse receptacle.  
     
     
         21 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 19 , in which the stabilizing means comprises a design modification to one of the at least one side wall opposite the retaining means.  
     
     
         22 . The stabilizing means of  claim 21 , in which the design modification comprises a thickening of the side wall opposite the retaining means.  
     
     
         23 . The stabilizing means of  claim 21 , in which the design modification comprises an increase in height of the side wall opposite the retaining means.  
     
     
         24 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base;    a retaining means integral with said upper end to retain a set of replacement liners; and,    a stabilizing means to counterbalance the weight of the set of replacement liners, said stabilizing means comprising a stabilizing flange fitted to the base of the container.    
     
     
         25 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having side walls, said side walls comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base;    a stabilizing offset comprising one of said side walls, said side wall being molded to form a broad vertical spine portion therein, the spine protruding inwardly from the wall forming a flattened u-shaped indentation with a u-shaped portion of the rim formed at its upper end; and,    a retaining means integral with said upper end to retain a set of replacement liners.    
     
     
         26 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 25 , wherein said retaining means further comprises, two notches, one of said notches located in each side of the u-shaped portion of the rim, said notches positioned to releasably retain the set of replacement liners, said set of replacement liners forming a roll mounted on a hollow core of card board or the like