Trash can with twist-lock lid

Abstract

A trash can with a twist-lock lid. The trash can includes a generally cylindrical container having a bottom, an upper rim, and a sidewall between the bottom and the upper rim. The trash can also has a lid with a skirt that fits over the top of the sidewall. The container defines at least one locking protrusion proximate the rim, the locking protrusion having an elongated portion along a part of the rim, a stop portion extending downwardly from one end of the elongated portion toward the container bottom a first distance, and a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance, the elongated portion having a length between the stop portion and the retention portion. The lid defines an elongated, inwardly-facing projection having a length no greater than the length of the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion, the projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and engaged with the container's locking protrusion.

1 . A trash can with a twist-lock lid, comprising: 
 a generally cylindrical container having a bottom, an upper rim, and a sidewall between the bottom and the upper rim;    a lid having a skirt that fits over the top of the sidewall;    the container defining at least one locking protrusion proximate the rim, the locking protrusion comprising an elongated portion along a part of the rim, and a stop portion extending downwardly from one end of the elongated portion toward the container bottom a first distance; and    the lid defining an elongated, inwardly-facing projection, the projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and engaged with the container's locking protrusion to lock the lid on the container.    
   
   
       2 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 1  wherein the locking protrusion further comprises a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance.  
   
   
       3 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 2 , wherein the elongated portion has a length between the stop portion and the retention portion.  
   
   
       4 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 3  wherein the lid inwardly-facing projection has a length no greater than the length of the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion.  
   
   
       5 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 4  wherein when the lid is locked on the container, the inwardly-facing projection is located underneath the elongated portion of the locking protrusion and between the stop portion and the retention portion of the locking protrusion.  
   
   
       6 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 1  wherein the elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection are essentially parallel to one another when they are engaged.  
   
   
       7 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 1  wherein the elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection are essentially parallel to the rim when they are engaged.  
   
   
       8 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 2  wherein the elongated portion is essentially parallel to the rim and the stop portion is transverse to the elongated portion.  
   
   
       9 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 8  wherein the retention portion is transverse to the elongated portion.  
   
   
       10 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 2  wherein the end of the retention portion is at an angle to the elongated portion.  
   
   
       11 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 1  comprising two locking protrusions located on opposite sides of the container.  
   
   
       12 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 1  further comprising at least one additional locking feature, each comprising an elongated container projection on the container proximate the rim, and a mating elongated lid projection on the lid, the lid projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the container projection when the lid is locked on the container.  
   
   
       13 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 12  comprising two diametrically-opposed locking protrusions and two diametrically-opposed container projections, spaced essentially equally around the circumference of the container.  
   
   
       14 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 12  wherein the container projection and the lid projection are essentially parallel to one another.  
   
   
       15 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of wheels at the bottom of the container.  
   
   
       16 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 1  wherein the lid further comprises a top-facing handle adapted to allow the lid to be twisted relative to the container.  
   
   
       17 . The trash can with a twist-lock lid of  claim 1  further comprising a user grip handle projecting from the container near the top.  
   
   
       18 . A trash can with a twist-lock lid, comprising: 
 a generally cylindrical container having a bottom, an upper rim, and a sidewall between the bottom and the upper rim;    a lid having a skirt that fits over the top of the sidewall;    the container defining at least one locking protrusion proximate the rim, the locking protrusion comprising an elongated portion along a part of the rim, a stop portion extending downwardly from one end of the elongated portion toward the container bottom a first distance, and a retention portion extending downwardly from the other end of the elongated portion a second distance that is substantially less than the first distance; and    the lid defining an elongated, inwardly-facing projection, the projection adapted to sit under and adjacent to the elongated portion of the container locking protrusion when the lid is placed over the container rim and engaged with the container's locking protrusion to lock the lid on the container, wherein when the lid is locked on the container, the inwardly-facing projection is located underneath the elongated portion of the locking protrusion and between the stop portion and the retention portion of the locking protrusion;    wherein the elongated portion and the inwardly-facing projection are essentially parallel to the rim, and the stop portion and the retention portion are transverse to the elongated portion.