Trash container

Abstract

A trash containing device having a sealing lid that is automatically opened for use and an apparatus and method of mounting thereof that facilitates easy convenient access thereto for use.

1 . A container operable with a cabinet comprising:
 an enclosure having at least three sides and a bottom;   a lid hingedly operable with said enclosure, said lid biased in an open position exposing an interior of said enclosure; and   mounting means for attaching said enclosure to one of a door and a drawer front of the cabinet;   wherein said lid swings through an arc generally perpendicular to a major surface of said one of a door and a drawer front, and   wherein said lid is retained in a closed position via engagement with biasing means when said one of a door and a drawer front is closed, and disengages said biasing means when said one of a door and a drawer front is open.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three sides and said bottom is selected from the group consisting of a solid panel, a perforated panel, a slotted panel, a panel comprising a mesh, and a panel comprising a screen. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting means comprises a flange operable with a side of said container and a fastener operable to secure said flange to said one of a door and a drawer front. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said biasing means comprises a wheel adapted to contact said lid when said one of a door and a drawer front is closed. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said lid comprises a groove defining a well, said well adapted to receive a biased wheel when said one of a door and a drawer front is closed. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate carried by the cabinet proximate an opening of said one of a door and a drawer front. 
   
   
       7 . A trash can adapted for mounting within a cabinet comprising:
 attachment means for mounting said trash can to a door of the cabinet;   a lid biased in an open position and hingedly connected to said trash can at a location of said trash can opposite the door of the cabinet;   means for maintaining said lid in a closed position when said trash can is at least partially disposed within the cabinet, said lid disengaging from said means for maintaining said lid in a closed position when the door of the cabinet is opened; and   means for biasing the door of the cabinet in a closed position.   
   
   
       8 . The trash can of  claim 7 , wherein said means for maintaining said lid in a closed position when said trash can is at least partially disposed within the cabinet comprises a spring-biased wheel adapted to apply a downward force to said lid, and adapted to allow said lid to roll thereunder while the door of the cabinet is at least one of opened and closed. 
   
   
       9 . The trash can of  claim 8 , wherein said means for biasing the door of the cabinet in a closed position comprises a groove formed in said lid, said groove comprising a well adapted to receive said spring-biased wheel when the door of the cabinet is in the closed position. 
   
   
       10 . The trash can of  claim 7 , wherein said attachment means comprises a flange and at least one fastener adapted to secure said flange to the door of the cabinet. 
   
   
       11 . The trash can of  claim 7 , further comprising a plate carried by the cabinet proximate an opening thereof, wherein said plate is adapted to contact said lid in an open position and to close said lid as the door of the cabinet is closed. 
   
   
       12 . A cabinet-mounted system for receiving a trash can comprising:
 a flange for attaching a container to a door of the cabinet;   a lid connected to said container via a hinge at a position opposite the door of the cabinet;   a plate attached to an opening of the cabinet and adapted to contact said lid and to apply a closing force to said lid when the door of the cabinet is moved from an open position to a closed position; and   a biased wheel removably engaging said lid and retaining said lid in a closed position when the door of the cabinet is disposed in a closed position, said biased wheel attached to the cabinet,   wherein said biased wheel engages a depression in said lid to resist opening of the door of the cabinet.