The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 09, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 30, 2001
Bobby L. Hawkins, Travelers Rest, SC (US);
AMPRO, Travelers Rest, SC (US);
Abstract
The present invention contemplates a trash can that one finds in high-traffic public venues. The trash can receives trash through an opening in the top of the housing. A trash by-pass chute is disposed within the housing and transports the trash from the opening in the top to the lower portion of the housing. A mechanism for automatically compacting the trash in the lower portion of the housing is provided within the housing. The compacted trash may be removed from the lower portion of the housing via a door that opens to allow access through the side of the trash can. The mechanism for compacting trash contents includes a frame disposed within the housing, and a compacting mechanism carried by the frame. The compacting mechanism includes a platen and is configured for moving the platen through a compaction stroke to apply compacting pressure to trash contents located in the lower portion of the housing during at least a portion of a compaction stroke. The pivotable portion of the platen pivots to by-pass the trash by-pass chute during at least a portion of a retraction stroke of the compacting mechanism.