Debris collector

Abstract

A collection device ( 10 ) comprising a receptacle ( 20 ) defining a collection chamber ( 21 ) with an entrance opening ( 22 ) and an exit opening ( 23 ). A door ( 24 ) is movable from a closed position whereat it covers the exit opening ( 23 ) and unclosed condition whereat it uncovers the exit opening ( 23 ). When the door ( 24 ) is in its closed position, constituents can be conveyed into the collection chamber ( 21 ) through the entrance opening ( 22 . And when the door ( 24 ) is in its unclosed position, constituents ( 11 ) within the collection chamber ( 21 ) can be emptied through the exit opening ( 23 ) into a separate container, such as a trash can.

1 . A collection device ( 10 ) for collection of constituents ( 11 ) from a surface ( 12 ) and emptying them into a separate container ( 13 );
 said collection device ( 10 ) comprising a receptacle ( 20 ) defining a collection chamber ( 21 ) and comprising:   an entrance opening ( 22 ) communicating with collection chamber ( 21 ),   an exit opening ( 23 ) communicating with the collection chamber ( 21 ), and   a door ( 24 ) movable from a closed position whereat it covers the exit opening ( 23 ) and unclosed condition whereat it uncovers the exit opening ( 23 );   wherein, when the door ( 24 ) is in its closed position, constituents ( 11 ) can be conveyed into the collection chamber ( 21 ) through the entrance opening ( 22 ); and   wherein, when the door ( 24 ) is in its unclosed position, constituents ( 11 ) within the collection chamber ( 21 ) can be emptied through the exit opening ( 23 ) to the separate container ( 13 ).   
     
     
         2 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between the closed position and the unclosed position is accomplished without electricity, without hydraulics, and without special tools. 
     
     
         3 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between its closed position and its unclosed position is accomplished manually. 
     
     
         4 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between its closed position and its unclosed position is accomplished with the help of gravity. 
     
     
         5 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the entrance opening ( 22 ) is wider and/or higher than the exit opening ( 23 ). 
     
     
         6 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle ( 20 ) is formed from a wall structure ( 30 ) including chamber-defining walls ( 31 - 36 ) and wherein some of these walls are movable relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the receptacle ( 20 ) comprises pivotal fasteners ( 41 - 42 ) movably attaching walls together. 
     
     
         8 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the wall structure ( 30 ) comprises rear walls ( 31 - 32 ), a top wall ( 33 ), a bottom wall ( 34 ), and lateral walls ( 35 - 36 ). 
     
     
         9 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein collection chamber ( 21 ) is defined by the rear walls ( 31 - 32 ), the a top wall ( 33 ), a rear region of the bottom wall ( 34 ), and rear regions of the lateral walls ( 35 - 36 ). 
     
     
         10 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the entrance opening ( 22 ) is defined by a forward edge of the top wall ( 33 ), an aligned route on the bottom wall ( 34 ), and connecting paths on the lateral walls ( 35 - 36 ). 
     
     
         11 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the exit opening ( 23 ) is defined by rearmost edges of the rear walls ( 31 - 32 ), a rear edge of the top wall ( 33 ), and a rear edge of the bottom wall ( 34 ). 
     
     
         12 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the door ( 24 ) is permanently attached to, and extends perpendicularly downward from, the rear edge of the top wall ( 33 ). 
     
     
         13 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein front lateral edges of the top wall ( 33 ) are movably attached to aligned regions of the lateral walls ( 35 - 36 ) with pivoting fasteners ( 41 - 42 ). 
     
     
         14 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the pivoting fasteners ( 41 - 42 ) are hinges. 
     
     
         15 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between its closed position and its unclosed position is accomplished manually. 
     
     
         16 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between its closed position and its unclosed position is accomplished with the help of gravity. 
     
     
         17 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a post ( 50 ) attached to the receptacle ( 20 ). 
     
     
         18 . A method of using the collection device ( 10 ) set forth in  claim 1 , comprising the step of:
 conveying constituents ( 11 ) on a surface ( 12 ) through the entrance opening ( 22 ) into the collection chamber ( 21 ); and   emptying constituents ( 11 ) from the collection chamber ( 21 ) through the exit opening ( 23 );   wherein said constituent-conveying step is performed when the door ( 24 ) is in its closed condition; and   wherein said constituent-emptying step is performed when the door ( 24 ) is in its unclosed condition.   
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said constituent-conveying step is performed with a broom ( 14 ). 
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 ), wherein said constituent-emptying step comprises emptying the constituents ( 11 ) into a separate container ( 13 ).