Waste can

Abstract

A receptacle for storing waste containing oil. The receptacle includes a container, having a body defining a storage area and a base having ventilation openings, a cover, and a lift assembly for moving the cover over a range of travel between a closed position and an open position. The lift mechanism includes a pivotable pedal, which is provided at the base of the receptacle body, a rotating drive, which is rotatably mounted to the base such that its ends extend therefrom with one end operably arranged with the pedal and the other end pivotally mounted to a lift member. The drive is rotatable in two opposing directions with the lift rod connected to the drive such that the lift member is either moving in a lift direction or a lowering direction when the drive is so rotating. The lift member having one end pivotally mounted to the second end of the drive and another end pivotally mounted to a hinged bracket. One part of the bracket is mounted to the receptacle and the other part of the bracket is mounted to the cover. The lift rod is connected to the portion of the hinged bracket that is also connected to the cover so that movement of the lift rod pivots the cover. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position in response to movement of the pedal.

1 . A receptacle, comprising:
 a container having a sidewall, an open top and a bottom, the sidewall and the bottom defining a storage area;   a base adjacent to the bottom of the container having a plurality of ventilation openings;   a pedal pivotally mounted to the base;   a drive member rotatably mounted to the base, the drive member having a shaft, a first end and a second end, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis, the first end axially offset from the longitudinal axis, the second end axially offset from the longitudinal axis, the first end of the drive member in operable arrangement with the pedal;   a lift member, the lift member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the lift member pivotally mounted to the drive member adjacent the second end thereof; and   a bracket having a fist portion mounted to the container and a second portion that is pivotally movable with respect to the first portion, the second portion being pivotally connected to the second end of the lift member; and   a cover mounted to the second portion of the bracket such that the cover is movable by operation of the pedal over a range of travel between a closed position wherein the cover occludes the top of the container and an open position wherein the storage area of the container is accessible through the open top thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a flange portion that overlaps a portion of the sidewall of the container when the cover is in the closed position. 
   
   
       3 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pedal includes a bottom surface, the first end of the drive member includes a curved portion and an oblique portion, and the curved portion in engagement with a bottom surface of the pedal. 
   
   
       4 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the lift member includes a loop, and the second end of the drive member is pivotally mounted to the loop. 
   
   
       5 . The receptacle of  claim 4 , wherein the lift member includes a hook disposed in opposing relationship to the loop thereof, and the hook of the lift member being pivotally connected to the second portion of the bracket. 
   
   
       6 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a stop configured to prevent the cover from opening beyond a predetermined pivot angle measured between the cover and the top of the container. 
   
   
       7 . The receptacle of  claim 6 , wherein the pivot angle is about sixty degrees. 
   
   
       8 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the bracket are pivotally mounted to each other via a handle such that the second portion of the bracket rotates about the handle. 
   
   
       9 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a slot and an interior surface, and the pedal includes a securing projection having a resiliently flexible barb, the securing projection configured to extend through the slot and the barb configured to retentively engage the interior surface of the base. 
   
   
       10 . A lift assembly for moving a cover of a receptacle between an open position and a closed position, the lift assembly comprising:
 a pedal;   a rotating drive having a first end, a second end, and a main portion disposed therebetween, the first end operably arranged with the pedal, the main portion defining a drive axis, the first end and the second end being in offset relationship with the drive axis;   a lift member disposed in non-parallel relationship with the drive axis, the lift member including a first end and a second end, the first end of the lift member pivotally connected to the second end of the drive; and   a bracket, the bracket including a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being pivotable with respect to each other, the second end of the lift member being pivotally mounted to one of the first and second portions of the bracket.   
   
   
       11 . The lift assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the pedal includes a bottom surface, the first end of the drive member includes a curved portion and an oblique portion, and the curved portion in engagement with a bottom surface of the pedal. 
   
   
       12 . The lift assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the lift member includes a loop, and the second end of the drive member is pivotally mounted to the loop. 
   
   
       13 . The lift assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the lift member includes a hook disposed in opposing relationship to the loop thereof, and the hook of the lift member being pivotally connected to the bracket. 
   
   
       14 . The lift assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the bracket includes a stop configured to limit the relative movement of the first and second portions to a predetermined pivot angle. 
   
   
       15 . The lift assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second portions of the bracket are pivotally mounted to each other via a handle.