Receptacle with motion damper

Abstract

A receptacle having one or more lids can be provided one or more dampers configured to slow the movement of the lids from their open position toward its closed position. The lids of the receptacle can have a shape which facilitates dampening of the movement of the lids from an open position to a closed position. The lids and lid portion can have walls which are juxtaposed relative one another in a close relationship such that air briefly retained within the body when the lids are moved from an open position to a closed position.

1 . A trashcan can comprising:
 a body defining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and an upper body portion;   a lid portion supported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising a lid support having an interior peripheral wall and two lids moveably mounted to the lid support so as to be independently moveable between open and closed positions, at least one of the lids having a generally concave profile;   a first motion damper connected to the lid portion, and a second motion damper connected to the lid portion, wherein the first and second motion dampers are configured to dampen a movement of at least one of the two lids from the open position to the closed position;   wherein at least one of the two lids comprises an exterior peripheral wall, the interior peripheral wall of the lid support and the exterior peripheral wall of the at least one lid being juxtaposed relative one another when the at least one lid is in the closed position so as to trap air within the lid portion and dampen lid movement when the at least one lid is moving from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . A trashcan comprising:
 a body defining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and an upper body portion;   a lid portion supported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising a lid support and at least one lid mounted to the lid support, the at least one lid being independently moveable between open and closed positions;   at least one motion damper comprising a housing secured to the lid support and further comprising a moveable piston at least partially housed within the housing;   wherein the at least one lid comprises a surface for contacting and driving the moveable piston as the lid is moved towards the closed position.   
     
     
         3 . The trashcan of  claim 2 , wherein the housing is rigidly fastened to a lower wall of the lid support. 
     
     
         4 . The trashcan of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one motion damper comprises first and second motion dampers, and wherein the at least one lid comprises first and second lids. 
     
     
         5 . The trashcan of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one motion damper is configured to provide less resistance to an upward movement of the piston within the housing but provide greater resistance against a downward movement of the piston within the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The trashcan of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one lid is configured to move towards the closed position for a first predetermined distance before engaging the moveable piston. 
     
     
         7 . The trashcan of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one motion damper comprises a piston support configured to support one end of the piston inside the housing, a biasing element engaged with the piston support, and a seal engaged with the piston support, the seal having a flexible body configured to facilitate movement of the piston support in one direction within the housing, but inhibit movement of the piston support in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         8 . The trashcan of  claim 7 , wherein the seal comprises an upper portion and a flexible projecting portion that is biased to extend radially outwardly relative to the upper portion. 
     
     
         9 . The trashcan of  claim 7 , wherein the piston has a predetermined range of linear movement within the housing, and wherein the piston support is closely spaced relative to a top of the housing when the piston is at a maximum upper position. 
     
     
         10 . The trashcan of  claim 9 , wherein the distance between the piston support and the top of the housing is approximately less than 10% of the predetermined range of movement of the piston. 
     
     
         11 . The trashcan of  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a piston guide surrounding the piston. 
     
     
         12 . The trashcan of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one lid is a pedal-actuated lid. 
     
     
         13 . A trashcan comprising:
 a body defining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and an upper body portion;   a lid portion supported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising at least one pivotable lid having a generally concave profile, the pivotable lid being independently moveable between open and closed positions such that the generally concave profile of the lid traps air within the interior space when the at least one lid moves from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         14 . The trashcan of  claim 13 , wherein the generally concave profile gives the lid a curved surface configured to act like a cup, trapping air underneath the lid as the lid moves towards the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . A trashcan comprising:
 a body defining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and an upper body portion;   a lid portion supported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising at least one lid moveably mounted to the lid portion so as to be independently moveable between open and closed positions, the lid portion comprising an interior peripheral wall, and the at least one lid comprising an exterior peripheral wall;   wherein the interior and exterior peripheral walls are positioned adjacent one another when the at least one lid is in the closed position so as to trap air within the lid portion and dampen lid movement when the at least one lid is moving from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         16 . The trashcan of  claim 15 , wherein the interior peripheral wall has a shape or configuration complementary to that of the exterior peripheral wall, such that the interior peripheral wall is generally parallel to the exterior peripheral wall at any point along the lid portion. 
     
     
         17 . The trashcan of  claim 15 , wherein the interior peripheral wall comprises notches configured to allow air inside the trashcan container to escape as a lid moves towards a closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The trashcan of  claim 15 , wherein the lid portion further comprises a lower wall, the lower wall and interior peripheral wall forming a shoulder for receiving the exterior peripheral wall of the lid. 
     
     
         19 . The trashcan of  claim 15 , wherein the spacing between the exterior peripheral wall and the shoulder is configured to form a generally air-resistant seal between the lid and remainder of the lid portion. 
     
     
         20 . A trashcan comprising:
 a body defining an interior space, the body comprising a base portion and an upper body portion;   a lid portion supported by the upper body portion, the lid portion comprising at least one lid moveably mounted to the lid portion so as to be independently moveable between open and closed positions, the lid portion further comprising an air guide configured to guide air downwardly into the interior space as the at least one lid moves from the open position towards the closed position.   
     
     
         21 . The trashcan of  claim 20 , wherein the air guide comprises a curved surface on the lid.