Transparent trash receptacle

Abstract

A container frame includes a container-receiving portion and at least one viewing region formed in the container-receiving portion. The viewing regions may receive side panels that are readily removable and/or replaceable. The container-receiving portion is designed to receive a transparent container such as a bag or a bucket that, when held in the trash container, is visible through the viewing regions and/or the side panels. As a result of the transparency of viewing regions, transparent container, and/or side panels, one can readily see into the container to evaluate its contents. A lid may be provided to cover the container- receiving portion so as to immobilize the side panels with respect to the container-receiving portion.

1 . A container frame comprising: 
 a container-receiving portion having a side with a viewing region, wherein the container-receiving portion is configured to receive an at least partially transparent container, such that contents of the container are visible outside the container-receiving portion via the viewing region.    
   
   
       2 . The container frame of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an at least partially transparent side panel supported by the container-receiving portion in the viewing region.    
   
   
       3 . The container frame of  claim 2 , wherein the side panel is removable from the container-receiving portion.  
   
   
       4 . The container frame of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a bracket fastened releasably connected to an upper region of the container-receiving portion and being configured to releaseably immobilize the side panel with respect to the container-receiving portion.    
   
   
       5 . The container frame of  claim 4 , wherein the bracket has an upper opening for removal of the container, the upper opening having a width, and wherein the side panel includes an inwardly offset portion positioned substantially coextensive with the width of the upper opening.  
   
   
       6 . The container frame of  claim 2 , wherein the side panel is formed of at least one of glass or plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The container frame of  claim 1 , wherein the container-receiving portion includes an additional side with an additional viewing region.  
   
   
       8 . The container frame of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 an additional at least partially transparent side panel supported by the container-receiving portion in the additional viewing region.    
   
   
       9 . A container frame comprising: 
 a container-receiving portion having four sides, each side having a viewing region, wherein the container-receiving portion is configured to receive an at least partially transparent container;    four at least partially transparent side panels, each being removably supported by the container-receiving portion in a respective viewing region, wherein contents of the container are visible outside the container-receiving portion via the side panels in the viewing regions; and    a bracket releasably connected to an upper end of the container-receiving portion and being configured to releaseably immobilize the side panels with respect to the container-receiving portion.    
   
   
       10 . The container frame of  claim 9 , wherein the bracket has an upper opening for removal of the container, the upper opening having a width, and wherein the side panels each include an inwardly offset portion positioned substantially coextensive with the width of the upper opening.  
   
   
       11 . A trash receptacle comprising: 
 a container frame comprising a container-receiving portion having a side with a viewing region; and    an at least partially transparent container disposed in the container-receiving portion, wherein contents of the container are visible outside the container-receiving portion via the viewing region.    
   
   
       12 . The trash receptacle of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 an at least partially transparent side panel supported by the container-receiving portion in the viewing region.    
   
   
       13 . The trash receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a transparent bag and a transparent bucket.  
   
   
       14 . A method of providing a transparent trash receptacle, comprising: 
 providing a container-receiving portion having a side with a viewing region, wherein the container-receiving portion is configured to receive an at least partially transparent container;    providing an at least partially transparent side panel in the viewing region of the container-receiving portion such that contents of the container are visible outside the container-receiving portion via the side panel in the viewing region; and    replacing the side panel with another at least partially transparent side panel.