Waste container for vehicles and the like

Abstract

A waste container, such as for a van or SUV, is made from decorative or color-coordinating fabric to form a cylindrical container or shell. The shell includes a mechanism for holding a standard-sized plastic bag in place within the shell so that the plastic bag is supported and partially hidden from view. The shell also includes attachment devices for securing the waste container to the interior of a vehicle. The plastic bag is easily removed from the shell for disposal, and a fresh bag is easily installed.

1 . A waste container comprising: 
 a cylindrical member having first and second ends;    a first flexible, resilient band circumferentially disposed at said first end;    a second band circumferentially disposed at said first end adjacent to and concentrically positioned with respect to said first band to form a circumferential slot between said first and second bands, said slot being dimensioned to receive and frictionally maintain a flexible liner in an open configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The waste container described in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of concentrically disposed bands and a bottom member, said bands being disposed at said second end for capturing said second end of said cylindrical member and said bottom member to provide a closure of said second end.  
   
   
       3 . The waste container described in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible liner comprises a plastic bag.  
   
   
       4 . The waste container described in  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical member is comprised of fabric.  
   
   
       5 . The waste container described in  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical member is comprised of vinyl.  
   
   
       6 . The waste container described in  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical member is comprised of leather.  
   
   
       7 . The waste container described in  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical member is comprised of plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The waste container described in  claim 1 , further comprising attachment means for supporting and maintaining the position of said waste container in a location where said waste container is used.  
   
   
       9 . The waste container described in  claim 8 , wherein said attachment means are circumferentially disposed on said cylindrical member.  
   
   
       10 . The waste container described in  claim 9 , wherein said attachment means are located at points that are substantially diametrically opposed on said cylindrical member.  
   
   
       11 . The waste container described in  claim 8 , wherein said attachment means comprises an elastic band.  
   
   
       12 . The waste container described in  claim 8 , wherein said attachment means comprises at least one wire loop.  
   
   
       13 . The waste container described in  claim 8 , wherein said attachment means comprises at least one hook.  
   
   
       14 . The waste container described in claim  24 , further comprising at least one support member extending substantially between said first and second ends of said cylindrical member.  
   
   
       15 . A method for forming a waste container, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a cylindrical member having first and second open ends;    providing a first pair of annular bands;    positioning said first open end of said cylindrical member with respect to said first pair of bands such that said first open end forms a slot between said bands;    providing a second pair of annular bands and a bottom member;    positioning said second open end of said cylindrical member with respect to said second pair of bands and said bottom member such that said second open end cooperates with said second pair of bands and said bottom member to form a closed end of said cylindrical member; and    inserting the open end of a flexible liner into said slot such that said liner is held in an open position and substantially completely contained within said cylindrical member.    
   
   
       16 . A waste container for a vehicle comprising: 
 a flexible cylindrical member having first and second ends;    a bottom member;    a first pair of flexible, resilient concentrically positioned bands circumferentially disposed at said first end such that said first pair of bands form a circumferential slot, said slot being dimensioned to receive and frictionally maintain a flexible liner in an open configuration;    a second pair of flexible, resilient concentrically positioned bands circumferentially disposed at said second end and cooperating with said bottom member to form a closure at said second end;    attachment means disposed adjacent to said first end for cooperating with said vehicle to substantially maintain said waste container in a fixed position during use.    
   
   
       17 . A waste container comprising: 
 a cylindrical member formed of decorative flexible material and having first and second open ends;    a bottom member formed of said decorative flexible material;    first and second flexible, resilient concentric bands circumferentially disposed at said first end, said first and second bands fixedly capturing said first end of said cylindrical member therebetween;    third and fourth flexible, resilient concentric bands circumferentially disposed at said second end and cooperating with said bottom member and said second end of said cylindrical member to form a closure at said second end;    a fifth flexible, resilient band circumferentially fixedly disposed within said cylindrical member such that said first and second bands cooperate with said fifth band to form a circumferential pocket of said decorative flexible material that is configured to receive and frictionally maintain a flexible liner in an open position within said cylindrical member.    
   
   
       18 . The waste container described in  claim 17 , further comprising at least one elongated support member fixedly disposed between said first and second ends of said cylindrical member such that said waste container is freestanding.  
   
   
       19 . The waste container described in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second bands comprise a tubular shape and extends substantially between said first and second ends.  
   
   
       20 . The waste container described in  claim 14 , wherein said support member comprises a rectangular shape.  
   
   
       21 . The waste container described in  claim 14 , wherein said support member comprises a tubular shape.