Trash collection and sorting system

[54] TRASH COLLECTION AND SORTING SYSTEM

[76] Inventor: Mark Stutter, Rt. 3, Box 150E, Hurricane, W. Va. 25526

[21] Appl. No.: 967,337

[22] Filed: Oct. 28,1992

Related U.S. Application Data

[62] Division of Ser. No. 669,087, Mar. 15, 1991, Pat. No. 5,172,824.

[51] Int. C1.5 B65F 1/00

[52] U.S. CI 220/571; 220/501;

232/43.3; 232/43.1; 209/702; 209/930

[58] Field of Search 232/43.3, 43.1, 43.5,

232/43.2, 44; 414/792.5; 143/29, 46; 209/702, 930, 630; 220/553, 500, 571, 501

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

2,429,673 10/1947 Davis 232/14

2,703,200 3/1955 Burbank 232/43.3

3,130,853 4/1964 Colthurst .

3,204,867 9/1965 Wahlbom 232/43.3

3,231,323 6/1966 Wells 232/43.3

4,660,758 4/1987 Tavel 232/43.2

4,913,308 4/1990 Culbertson .

4,987,988 6/1991 Messina 232/43.2

5,083,704 1/1992 Rounthwaite 232/43.4

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

9113010 9/1991 PCT Int'l Appl 232/43.2

573408 9/1977 U.S.S.R 193/46

Primary Examiner—Flemming Saether
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jim Zegeer

[57] ABSTRACT

A trash organizer for recycling of items makes trash sorting easy and encourages and reminds people to be environmentally concerned. The organizer includes a main frame container or housing having a plurality of individual containers carried in the main container with the individual containers being adapted to receive a particular category of refuse including glass, plastic, metal cans or paper. The container for receiving metal cans includes a cover having a hole therein of a predetermined size for receiving, for example, beverage cans and includes a self-stacking arrangement to maximize given space and a sliding rear door and clips for making emptying the cans easy. A section is provided for receiving general trash includes a set of plastic bag retaining frames which slides into the unit. A bottle drawer is provided which allows easy access at low elevation and includes rubber stops and pads to prevent breakage of glass. The housing or frame is mounted on casters for easy mobility.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets