Garbage can and support for use with a liner

Abstract

An apparatus and method for releasably supporting a liner, such as a trash bag or laundry bag, within a container, such as a trash can or laundry basket. The apparatus includes a body and a base. The base includes a top opening and a bottom opening, with the area of the top opening being less than the area of the bottom opening. Additionally, the body gradually slopes inward from the bottom opening to the top opening. The body is configured to receive a liner, which removably fits inside the body to protect the body from direct contact with soiled objects.

1 . An apparatus to releasably support a liner, the apparatus comprising: 
 a body having a top opening and a bottom opening, the area of the top opening being less than the area of the bottom opening, the body configured to receive a liner, wherein the liner is longer in length than the body;    a base releasably attachable to the body at the bottom opening, an inner surface of the base configured to provide support to a bottom of the liner; and    a lid releasably attachable to the body at the top opening, such that body may be accessed at the top or the bottom.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to the body.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a notch in the handle to secure the liner.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the notch is v-shaped.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising clips attached to an outer surface of the body, configured to secure upper edges of the liner to the body.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body attaches to the base via clasps.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body screws onto the base to the secure the body to the base.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body attaches to the base via friction.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one foot rest protruding outward from the base, configured to allow a user to stand on the foot rest while the user lifts the body therefrom.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body angles inward on the outside surface, from the bottom opening to the top opening, at more than 90 degrees, with respect to the base.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein body attaches to the base with a substantially water proof seal.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lid and the base are securely fastenable.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a releasable substantially vertical seam for providing access to an interior of body.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising clips disposed on the exterior of the body for receiving the liner when the liner extends out of the bottom opening.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus to protect and support a liner, comprising: 
 a body having a top opening and a bottom opening, the area of the top opening being less than the area of the bottom opening, the body configured to be inserted into a liner, bottom end first;    a base, releasably attached to the bottom opening of the body, configured to hold the liner between the base and a bottom lip of the body; a lid at the top of the body such that body may be accessed at the top or the bottom;    a lid at the top of the body to cover the top opening, such that body may be accessed at the top or the bottom; and    a securing device for attaching the base to the body, wherein the attaching device is configured to contain the liner within a zone of the body.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus further comprises handles attached to the body, and wherein the handles remain accessible even with the liner attached to the body.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a notch formed in the handle to secure the liner.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising clips attached to an outer surface of the body, configured to secure upper edges of the trash bag to the body.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the securing device is selected from the group consisting of clasps, friction, and screws.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the base and the lid are both securely fastenable such that the apparatus may be used with either the top opening or the bottom opening facing up to receive objects.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the body angles inward from the bottom opening to the top opening at more than 90 degrees with respect to the base.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising wheels attached to the base.  
   
   
       23 . A method for using an apparatus to support and protect a liner, the method comprising: 
 providing a body with a top opening and a bottom opening;    inserting the bottom opening into an opening of the liner;    gathering the opening of the liner and sides of the liner about the bottom opening of the body;    attaching a base to the bottom opening with a securing device;    securing the liner and sides of the liner to a lower portion of the body;    filling the body with objects;    removing the base and allowing the objects to move from the body to the liner; and    removing the body from inside of the liner.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising providing a handle formed on the body, the handle having a notch formed therein and securing the liner within the notch.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising alternately positioning the apparatus with the top opening facing up to receive objects and with the bottom opening up to receive objects.