Refuse container

Abstract

A container is provided including a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior and, a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position. A container is also provided including a bin, a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open configuration providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed configuration inhibiting access to the interior, a latch pivotally coupled to the lid for movement between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the lid is maintained in the closed position when the latch is disposed in the locked configuration and, a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the latch for resisting movement from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and thereby locking the latch until a minimum threshold force is applied to the latch.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a bin;    a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior; and    a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and lateral support means configured for effecting lateral support of matter being vertically supported by the floor, and an opening defined by the lateral support means for effecting deposit of the matter into or removal of matter from the cavity, wherein, in the closed position, the lid closes the opening.  
     
     
         3 . The container as defined in  claim 2 , wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.  
     
     
         4 . The container as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.  
     
     
         5 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and a sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.  
     
     
         6 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and a continuous sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.  
     
     
         7 . The container as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container the handle being coupled to the lateral support means by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.  
     
     
         8 . The container as defined in  claim 7 , wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.  
     
     
         9 . The container as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.  
     
     
         10 . The container as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, the handle being coupled to the sidewall by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.  
     
     
         11 . The container as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the bin includes a handle configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, the handle being coupled to the sidewall by mounting means, and wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the mounting means.  
     
     
         12 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detent mechanism comprises a protrusion configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and the closed positions.  
     
     
         13 . The container as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the protrusion is resilient.  
     
     
         14 . The container as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the protrusion is wedge-shaped.  
     
     
         15 . The container as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the bin includes a cavity defined by a floor and lateral support means configured for effecting lateral support of matter being vertically supported by the floor, and an opening defined by the lateral support means for effecting deposit of the matter into or removal of matter from the cavity, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid closes the opening.  
     
     
         16 . The container as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein in the closed position, the lid is seated against the lateral support means.  
     
     
         17 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the lateral support means includes at least one sidewall extending from the floor and terminating at a rim, and wherein, in the closed position, the lid is seated against the rim.  
     
     
         18 . A container comprising: 
 a bin;    first and second mounting brackets coupled to the bin;    a handle, configured for grasping by a human operator to effect movement of the container, extending between the first and second mounting brackets;    a lid pivotally coupled to the mounting brackets for movement between an open position providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed position inhibiting access to the interior; and    a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the lid for maintaining the lid in the open position until a minimum threshold force is applied to the lid toward the closed position.    
     
     
         19 . The container as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the handle is disposed vertically above the bin.  
     
     
         20 . The container as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the detent mechanism comprises at least one protrusion extending from at least one of the mounting brackets and configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and closed positions.  
     
     
         21 . The container as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the lid rotates about an axis during the movement between the open and closed positions, and wherein the axis is disposed vertically above the bin.  
     
     
         22 . The container as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the handle is disposed vertically above the axis.  
     
     
         23 . The container as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the detent mechanism comprises at least one protrusion extending from at least one of the mounting brackets and configured to interfere with the movement of the lid between the open and closed positions.  
     
     
         24 . The container as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the at least one protrusion is disposed between the axis and the handle.  
     
     
         25 . A container comprising: 
 a bin;    a lid pivotally coupled to the bin for movement between an open configuration providing access to an interior of the bin and a closed configuration inhibiting access to the interior;    a latch pivotally coupled to the lid for movement between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the lid is maintained in the closed position when the latch is disposed in the locked configuration; and    a detent mechanism acting between the bin and the latch for resisting movement from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration and thereby locking the latch until a minimum threshold force is applied to the latch.    
     
     
         26 . The container as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the latch includes a handle member and a detent mechanism engaging member for engaging the detent mechanism to effect the locking of the latch to the detent mechanism, and when the latch is in the locked configuration, the handle member is spaced apart from the detent mechanism to define a space for facilitating grasping of the latch by a human operator.  
     
     
         27 . The container as claimed in  claim 26 , further comprising a retainer for limiting pivotal movement of the latch and effecting translation of a force being applied to the latch into pivotal movement of the lid.  
     
     
         28 . The container as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the retainer is disposed on the lid.