Replacement liner dispenser add-on unit attachable to refuse receptacle

Abstract

A replacement liner dispenser add-on unit for use in storing replacement liners for lining a refuse container used to store trash, recyclables and the like, is described that can be fitted to the rim of the container. The add-on unit may be made to fit containers already in use, or specially formed to fit new containers. The add-on unit forms a bezel to fit to the rim of a refuse container and comprises retaining means by which replacement liners may be stored and dispensed proximate their point of use. Many alternative embodiments of the retaining means are possible, including 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, 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 cover is included. In still other embodiments, stabilizing means are provided to counter-weight the set of replacement liners.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners.  
   
     
     
         2 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners, said retaining means comprising an extension of the seat portion into which is integrally molded an upwardly opening cavity to house the set of replacement liners.  
   
     
     
         3 . The refuse receptacle add-on unit of  claim 2 , 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.  
     
     
         4 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners, comprising: 
 an extension of the seat portion 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.  
 
   
     
     
         5 . The refuse receptacle add-on unit of  claim 4 , 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.  
     
     
         6 . The refuse receptacle add-on unit of  claim 4 , 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.  
     
     
         7 . The refuse receptacle add-on unit of  claim 4 , 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.  
     
     
         8 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 4 , in which the hollow tray of the separate housing means comprises a packaging in which the set of replacement liners is provided.  
     
     
         9 . The refuse housing means of  claim 8  in which the packaging further forms an elongated slot to allow the individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         10 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners, 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.  
   
     
     
         11 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners, comprising a support sized to insertably hold a hollow tray in which is housed a set of replacement liners.  
   
     
     
         12 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container;  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners; and,  
 a cover.  
   
     
     
         13 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container;  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liner; and,  
   a cover sized to fit to the add-on unit and to cover said retaining means.    
     
     
         14 . The refuse receptacle add-on unit of  claim 13 , wherein the cover is pivotally connected to the seat portion on the side opposite the retaining means, said cover being pivotable between a first position, wherein the cover is disposed substantially co-planarly with the seat portion, and at least a second position, wherein at least a portion of the lid is raised above the seat portion.  
     
     
         15 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container;  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners; and,  
 a stabilizing means.  
   
     
     
         16 . A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container;  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners; and,  
 a stabilizing means comprising a stabilizing flange fitted to a base of the container.  
   
     
     
         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; and,    a refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container, comprising a retaining means integral with the add-on unit to retain a set of replacement liners.    
     
     
         18 . 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 refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container, comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners.  
 
   
     
     
         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; and,    a refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container, comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners, said retaining means comprising an extension of the seat portion into which is integrally molded an upwardly opening cavity to house the set of replacement liners.  
 
   
     
     
         20 . 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 refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container, comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners, comprising: 
 an extension of the seat portion 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.  
 
 
   
     
     
         21 . 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 refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container, comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and,  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners, 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.  
 
   
     
     
         22 . 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 refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container, comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container;  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners; and,  
 a cover.  
 
   
     
     
         23 . 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 refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container, comprising: 
 a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon to secure the add-on unit to the rim of the container, said bezel comprising: 
 a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;  
 a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the container;  
 a retaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners; and,  
 
   a stabilizing means.