Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02638092 2008-07-18
RECEPTACLE
FIELD
[0001] This specification relates to receptacles and more particularly relates
to a
portable receptacle that is collapsible and stackable.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Social events such as concerts, conferences or rallies, play an
important role in
any society. The gathering of a large group of people allows those with like
interests to
interact and share. Social events increase social cohesion, which in turn
increases social
harmony. Social events are also ideal venues for merchants to advertise their
wares.
Event organizers can use the advertisement revenue to help pay for the various
expenses
of organizing such events. One such expense is the cost of waste management.
[0003] Recycling has become an integral part of waste management. Waste is
sorted
to enable its transport to proper destination. One method of sorting is to
encourage the
person who disposes the waste to place it in the proper container. Bins for
specific types of
waste, such as plastic, paper, metal containers, organic material, and the
like can be placed
at strategic locations to collect the waste. However, there are shortcomings
with placement
of a plurality of bins at strategic locations. For example, it can be quite
taxing to label bins
to indicate its content and to secure bins to reduce spillage and vandalism.
The number of
people attending events can also vary, making it difficult to ensure that
there are a sufficient
number of permanent bins to collect the waste generated at the event.
SUMMARY
[0004] An aspect of the specification provides a portable receptacle,
comprising a
platform and a plurality of legs attached to the platform. Each of the legs
has an upper and
lower portion, and the upper portion has a connecting point. There is also
provided at least
one frame operable in first and second mode. The frame has at least one
support portion
and a canopy portion. The support portion has a first end and a second end.
The first end
is attachable to the connecting point, and the second end is joined to the
canopy portion.
The connecting point is configured to enable the frame to switch between the
first mode
and the second mode. The receptacle also comprises a removable cover
configured to rest
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on at least the canopy portion, such that when the frame is situated in the
first mode, the
frame is coplanar to the platform and when the frame is situated in the second
mode, the
frame is substantially perpendicular to the platform for resting the cover on
the canopy.
[0005] The receptacle can be used for a variety of purposes, such as disposing
of
waste or garbage or for receiving materials that are to be recycled or
composted.
[0006] The portable receptacle can include a foot attached to the lower
portion of the
legs. The upper portion of the legs can be dimensioned to receive the foot for
stacking the
platform. The connecting point can comprise a pin to attach the first end to
the upper
portion and a slot on the first end to enable the pin to traverse in the slot
longitudinally to
the first end. The connecting point can also comprise a hole in the upper
portion such that
the upper portion is attached to the first end by inserting the pin through
the hole and the
slot. The canopy portion can slope from a first side to a second side.
[0007] The platform can be configured to support at least one bin. The cover
can thus
include an access opening for each bin so that refuse can be inserted into
each access
hold and will fall into a corresponding bin. The openings can be situated at
the first side.
[0008] The cover can be rigid or flexible.
[0009] The at least one beam rests can span the distance between two of the
legs.
[0010] At least two beams can be provided and to rest on the high point, so
that the
beams span the distance between two of the legs. In place of the beams, a
single solid top
piece can be provided.
[0011] At least four legs can be attached to the platform.
[0012] The upper portion can have a hollow to receive the first end, the upper
portion
having a cutout. The cutout is dimensioned to enable the frame to switch from
the first
mode to the second mode. The first end has a first segment, a second segment,
and a
third segment. The first segment containing the slot and is joined to the
second segment at
a first angle. The second segment is joined to the third segment at a second
angle, such
that when the first segment and second segment are inserted into the hollow,
the frame is
locked in the second mode and when the second segment is lifted above a
narrowest width
of the cutout, the frame is unlocked from the second mode.
[0013] Another aspect of the specification provides a portable receptacle,
comprising a
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platform and four legs attached to the platform. Each of the legs has an upper
and lower
portion and the upper portion has a connecting point. Two frames are provided
that
operable in first and second mode. The frame has two support portions and a
canopy
portion. The support portion has a first end and a second end. The first end
is attachable
to the connecting point, and the second end is joined to the canopy portion.
The connecting
point is configured to enable the frame to switch between the first mode and
the second
mode. The receptacle also comprises a removable cover configured to rest on
the canopy
portion such that when the frame is situated in the first mode, the frame is
coplanar to the
platform and when the frame is situated in the second mode, the frame is
substantially
perpendicular to the platform for resting the cover on the canopy.
[0014] Another aspect of the specification provides a portable receptacle,
comprising a
platform and four legs attached to the platform, each of the legs having an
upper and lower
portion, the upper portion having a connecting point and two frames operable
in first and
second mode. The frame has two support portions and a canopy portion. The
support
portion has a first end and a second end. The first end is attachable to the
connecting point
and the second end is joined to the canopy portion. The connecting point is
configured to
enable the frame to switch between the first mode and the second mode, such
that when
the frame is situated in the first mode, the frame is coplanar to the platform
and when the
frame is situated in the second mode, the frame is substantially perpendicular
to the
platform for resting the cover on the canopy.
[0015] Another aspect of the specification provides an exchange system for
bodies and
covers of receptacles comprising a computing environment comprising at least
one central
processing unit, memory and an interface interconnected by a bus. The central
processing
unit is configured to receive, via the interface, first data representing a
first order for at least
one body for a receptacle. The first order originates from a first entity and
comprises first
compensatory terms. The central processing unit is configured to receive, via
the interface,
second data representing a second order for at least one cover for the
receptacle. The
second order originates from a second entity and comprises second compensatory
terms.
The central processing unit is configured to perform a comparison of the first
data and the
second data and to perform an adjustment the first compensatory terms based
the
comparison. The central processing unit is configured to generate third data
representing
the first order including the adjustment and the second order.
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[0016] A portable receptacle is provided comprising a body and a cover. The
cover is
removable form the body. The body is collapsible into a position suitable for
stacking and/or
shipping. The cover can be folded. A plurality of covers can be created for a
single body.
Each cover can include a message.
[0017] Another aspect of the specification provides a disposable receptacle
comprising
a body having a platform and a frame connected to the platform. The frame is
movable
between a collapsed position and a raised position in relation to the frame.
The platform is
configured to support at least one bin. The receptacle also comprises a cover
configured to
rest on the frame when the frame is in the raised position. The cover
comprises at least
one opening providing access to the bins. The cover is removable from the
frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable receptacle with the cover
of the
receptacle exploded from the body of the receptacle.
[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body of the receptacle shown in
Figure 1.
[0020] Figure 3 is a platform of the body of the receptacle shown in Figure 2.
[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the body of Figure 2 shown in a
partially
collapsed state.
[0022] Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of the body of Figure 2.
[0023] Figure 6 is a perspective view of receptacle of Figure 1 with the body
in a
collapsed state and the cover stored on the body.
[0024] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the receptacle of Figure 1 with the
cover
disposed over the body.
[0025] Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the footings and a portion of
the beam
associated with that footing exploded from the footing, all from the
receptacle shown in
Figure 1.
[0026] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the footing of Figure 8 with the beam
in a
collapsed position.
[0027] Figure 10 shows a range of movement from the beam from Figure 8 and
Figure 9.
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[0028] Figure 11 shows the footing and beam portion from Figure 8 with the
beam
attached to the footing.
[0029] Figure 12 shows a range of movement from the beam from Figure 8 and
Figure 9
opposite from the range of movement of Figure 10.
[0030] Figure 13 shows a stacked plurality of the receptacles from Figure 6.
[0031] Figure 14 shows an exchange system for bodies and covers of
receptacles,
according to a non-limiting embodiment.
[0032] Figure 15 shows a method for processing orders for receptacles,
according to a
non-limiting embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Referring to Fig 1, a portable receptacle in accordance with a first
embodiment is
indicated generally at 100. Receptacle 100 comprises a body 105 and a cover
110. Cover
110, in a present embodiment, is made from a fabric or fabric-like material,
and is preferably
made of natural (e.g. cotton) or man-made (e.g. polyester) material. Cover 110
in a present
embodiment is flexible, but can be rigid in other embodiments.
[0034] Cover 110 optionally includes a message 111 one on or more of its
surfaces.
(Indeed, while Figure 1 shows message 111 on only one surface, message 111 can
in fact
comprises one or more messages that cover any portion, or the entirety of,
cover 110.)
Message 111 can be any type of message, including, by way of non-limiting
example, an
advertisement, a logo, a trademark, a public service announcement or the like.
As will be
explained in more detail below, cover 110 is removable from body 105, and body
105 is
collapsible and stackable. Receptacle 100 is operable in a first mode and a
second mode.
The first mode corresponds to receptacle 100 in a collapsed state. The second
mode
corresponds to receptacle 100 in an erect state.
[0035] Referring to Figure 2, body 105 is shown in isolation without cover
110. Body
105 comprises a platform 120, a plurality of legs 124, a plurality of frames
132, and a
plurality of beams 136. (In other embodiments the plurality of beams 136 can
be replaced
with a single beam or a single top piece). As best seen in Figure 3, platform
120 and legs
124 are shown in isolation from frames 132 and beams 136. Platform 120 is a
rectangular
structure, whose borders comprise two lengthwise rectangular structural tubes
140 and two
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widthwise rectangular structural tubes 144. A plurality of widthwise rods 148
are situated
within the borders of platform 120 to provide a surface to support the
contents of receptacle
100. (Rods 148 can be replaced with a solid sheet of planar material or other
supporting
surface). (As will be explained further below, such contents are typically a
plurality of bins
150 that correspond to different types of waste.) Legs 124 elevate platform
120 from a
supporting surface 152, such as the ground or a floor. Each leg 124 is
attached to a corner
of platform 120. Each leg 124 has an upper portion and a lower portion. A foot
156 is
attached to the lower portion of leg 124. Foot 156 rests upon supporting
surface 152. Foot
156 is also configured to provide a stacking function, the details of which
will be discussed
further below.
[0036] Referring to Figure 4, body 105 is shown in a semi-collapsed state.
Each frame
132 comprises, in a present embodiment, a contiguous piece of material
comprised of a
first support portion 160, a second support portion 164 and a canopy portion
168. The
support portions 160, 164 and the canopy portion 168 form an arch. In other
embodiments,
other shapes other than an arch are contemplated. A first end 172 of the first
support
portion 160 is attached to leg 124 at a connecting point 176 on the upper
portion of leg 124,
as will be explained in more detail below. A second end 180 of the first
support portion 160
joins with a first end 184 of the canopy portion 168 at a first junction 188.
Likewise, a first
end 192 of the second support portion 164 is attached to leg 124 at the
connecting point
176. A second end 196 of the second support portion 164 joins a second end 200
of the
canopy portion 168 at a second junction 204. In the present embodiment, the
canopy
portion 168 slopes from the first junction 188 to the second junction 204.
[0037] As can be best seen in Figure 5, body 105 is shown from another view to
illustrate the locations of beams 136 when body 105 is in an erect state. In
the present
embodiment, beams 136 are removably affixed to frames 132 with nuts and bolts
(or any
other type of suitable fastener) at the junctions 188, 204. Each beam spans
the distance
between the frames 132. At each junction 188, 204, beam 136 is attached to
frame 132 at
a first attachment point 208 and a second attachment point 212. The first
attachment points
208 are located on support portions 106, 164. The second attachment points 212
are
located on canopy portion 168. Nuts and bolts enables beams 136 to be removed
from the
attachment points 208, 212. However, it is apparent to a person skilled in the
art that other
types of fasteners or methods for removably affixing beams 136 to frames 132,
such as
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clips and butterfly nuts, are well within the scope of the present
application.
[0038] Referring to Figure 6, receptacle 100 is shown in the first mode, cover
110 is
folded and placed along with beams 136 on platform 120. In the present
embodiment,
beams 136 are placed near the lengthwise edge of platform 120 with cover 110
resting
between beams 136. One frame 132, resting on beams 136, provides a support for
the
other frame 132 to rest on. However, it will now be apparent to a person
skilled in the art
that cover 110 can be flexible or rigid and the placement of the beams and
cover 110 may
be in other configurations and orders.
[0039] Referring to Figure 7, receptacle 100 is shown in the second mode,
frames 132
are situated substantially perpendicular to platform 120. Beams 136 are
affixed to frames
132 at junctions 188, 204, as described above. In a present embodiment, three
bins 150
are placed on platform 120. Cover 110 is placed over body 105. The shape of
the bins 150
in Figure 7 are shown as cylindrical, but it should be understood that that
the shape of the
bin is not particularly limited. Receptacle 100 has a first side 216 and a
second side 220
corresponding to the lengthwise borders of receptacle 100. The first side 216
corresponds
to the side where the first junctions 188 are situated. The second side 220
corresponds to
the side where the second junctions 204 are situated. Three openings 224 are
situated on
cover 110 on the first side 216, corresponding to the location of the bins, to
enable articles
to be deposited into the bins through the openings 224. However, it will be
apparent to a
person skilled in the art that the number of bins and/or openings may be
varied, to comprise
one, two or more openings and/or bins. Typically, each opening or bin is
respective to a
type of material. For example, one opening can be respective to garbage,
another
respective to organic material for composting, and a third opening can be
respective to
glass, paper or other recyclable materials. Message 111 can include an
indication as to the
intended purpose for each opening.
[0040] Referring to Figure 8, an exemplary embodiment of the unassembled
components making up the mechanism that enables receptacle 100 to switch
between first
and second mode is shown in isolation. (It should be understood that other
types of
configurations to permit switching between the first and second mode are
contemplated).
The first end 172 is shown isolated from support portions 160, 164. First end
172
comprises a first segment 226, a second segment 228, and a third segment 230.
First
segment 226 contains a slot 232. A first end of first segment 226 joins a
first end of second
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segment 228 at a first angle. A second end of second segment 228 joins a first
end of third
segment 230 at a second angle. Leg 124 contains a hole 234. Leg 124 is hollow
to
receive first segment 226. With first segment 226 inserted into leg 124, a pin
236 is
inserted through hole 234 and slot 232 to affix first end 172 to leg 124 at
connecting point
176 (as shown in Figure 9). (As will be explained further below, slot 232 is
dimensioned to
enable first segment 226 to slide on pin 236 in a direction perpendicular to
pin 236.)
[0041] Referring to Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, and Figure 12, each Figure
shows a
portion of body 105 to illustrate how receptacle 100 switches between first
and second
mode. Figure 9 shows receptacle 100 in first mode, first end 172 is affixed to
leg 124 at
connecting point 176. Leg 124 contains a cutout 238. Cutout 238 is dimensioned
to enable
first segment 226 pass through it. Figure 10 shows receptacle 100 switching
from first
mode to second mode travelling in an arc. When first end 172 arrives at the
end of the arc,
first segment 226 and second segment 228 are inserted into leg 124. With both
first
segment 226 and second segment 228 inserted into leg 124, the configuration of
first
segment 226 and second segment 228 prevents first end 172 from passing through
cutout
238 (as shown in Figure 11). Figure 11 shows receptacle 100 in second mode.
Referring
to Figure 12, receptacle 100 is shown switching from second mode to first
mode. To switch
from second to first mode, first end 172 is lifted. Slot 232 enables first end
172 to travel
perpendicular to pin 236. Lifting first end 172, frees second segment 228 from
leg 124,
enabling first segment 226 to pass through cutout 238 as frame 132 travels in
an arc to
second mode.
[0042] The operation of receptacle 100 will now be described. When not in
used,
receptacle 100 is switched to first mode as shown in Figure 6. To conserve
space,
receptacle 100 may be stacked on top of each other as shown in Figure 13. Feet
156 (see
Figure 3) are inserted into leg 124 to align and stabilize the stacked
receptacles 100 (see
Figure 13). When the service of receptacle 100 is required, receptacle 100 is
moved to the
desired location. Frames 132 are switched from second mode to first mode as
described
above. Beams 136 are attached to frames 132 as described above. Bins 150 are
placed
on platform 120 as described above. Body 105 is covered with cover 110 with
openings
224 situated on cover 110 on the first side 216, corresponding to the location
of the bins, to
enable articles to be deposited into the bins through the openings 224. When
the service of
receptacle 100 is no longer required, receptacle 100 is switched to first
mode. Cover 110 is
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folded and placed along with beams 136 on platform 120. In the present
embodiment,
beams 136 are placed near the lengthwise edge of platform 120 with cover 110
resting
between beams 136. One frame 132, resting on beams 136, provides a support for
the
other frame 132 to rest on. Receptacle 100 is then stacked as shown in Figure
13.
[0043] Referring now to Figure 14, an exchange system for bodies (such as body
105)
and covers (such as covers 110) of receptacles (such as receptacle 100) is
indicated
generally at 300. System 300 comprises an exchange engine 304 that is based on
any
suitable computing environment, with appropriate hardware configurations (e.g.
one or
more servers) consisting of an arrangement of central processing unit(s),
volatile memory
(e.g. random access memory), non-volatile memory (e.g. hard disk drives),
network
interface(s) all interconnected by a bus. The computing environment also
comprises
appropriate an operating system and one or more software processes in
accordance with
the teachings herein.
[0044] Engine 304, in a present embodiment, is connected to a first terminal
308, which
can be used for administering engine 304 including monitoring exchange
activity conducted
thereon. Terminal 308 can be any combination of input devices (e.g. keyboard,
mouse etc.)
and output devices (e.g. monitor, printer, speakers) that are connectable to
engine 304.
Engine 304 is also connected to a plurality of additional terminals 312, 316
via a network
320. Network 320 can be the Internet or any other type of wide area network.
Terminals
312 and 316 can be any type of computing device, such as a desk top computer
or laptop
computer. Where network 320 is the Internet, then engine 304 can host web-
pages that are
accessible via web-browsers on terminal 312 and terminal 316 in order to place
orders for
bodies 105 and covers 110.
[0045] As will be explained in greater detail below, engine 304 is configured
to receive
and process orders for bodies 105 and covers 110, which are typically received
from
terminal 312 and/or terminal 316.
[0046] Engine 304 is also connected to an order fulfillment server 324 which
can be
based on a computing environment similar to engine 304. As will be explained
in greater
detail below, order fulfillment server 324 is configured to respond to orders
for bodies 105
and covers 110 so as to generate invoices and/or shipping manifests and/or
customization
requests so that bodies 105 and covers 110 are built and/or delivered in
accordance with
the orders processed by engine 304.
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[0047] Referring now to Figure 15, a computer-implemented method for
processing
orders for receptacles is depicting in the form of a flow-chart and indicated
generally at 400.
Method 400 can be implemented using system 300, and for purposes of further
understanding method 400 and system 300, the performance of method 400 will be
explained in relation to system 300. It should be understood, however, that
both method
400 and system 300 can be varied.
[0048] Block 405 comprises receiving receptacle body orders from a first
entity. Block
405 can be implemented by, for example, user U-2 operating terminal 312 to
place an order
for at least one body 105. User U-2 will thus typically be a representative of
the first entity.
The first entity can be any entity that has the cause, need, desire or mandate
to provide
receptacles. A municipality is one example of a first entity. Another example
is a special
events operator, such as a concert promoter or the like. The order submitted
at block 405
will typically include a quantity of bodies 105, and compensatory terms
associated with the
order. Such compensatory terms can include outright purchase or rental or
"rent-to-own" or
combinations thereof or any other compensatory terms that will now occur to
those skilled
in the art. Receptacle body orders placed at block 405 are received and
maintained at
engine 304.
[0049] Block 410 comprises receiving cover orders from a second entity. Block
410 can
be implemented by, for example, user U-3 operating terminal 316 to place an
order for at
least one cover 110. User U-3 will thus typically be a representative of the
second entity.
The first entity can be any entity that has the cause, need, desire or mandate
to convey a
message (such as message 111) individuals using receptacles 100. A commercial
entity is
one example of a second entity, where that commercial entity wishes to have a
message
111 that advertises wares or services. Another example is a government agency,
where
that government agency wishes to have a message 111 that promotes a particular
government policy. The order submitted at block 410 will typically include a
quantity of
covers 110 (that may correspond with specific orders for bodies 105 received
at block 405),
messages 111 to be printed on each cover 110, and compensatory terms
associated with
the order. Such compensatory terms can comprise an outright purchase of the
cover, or
rental or "rent-to-own" or a combination of purchase of covers, and then a
rental-fee for
placement of those covers 110 over various bodies 105 that were ordered at
block 405.
The rental-fee can in effect be a fee for the privilege of conveying message
111 to the
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individuals using receptacle 100. Other compensatory terms that will now occur
to those
skilled in the art. Cover orders placed at block 410 are received and
maintained at engine
304.
[0050] Block 415 comprises comparing the body orders from block 405 with the
cover
orders from block 410. The comparison at block 415 is performed by engine 304
based on
data received at blocks 405 and 410. The comparison comprises matching orders
for
covers 110 from block 410 that are to be used to cover specific bodies 105
from block 405.
The comparison will include an examination of the compensatory terms received
in relation
to those matched orders.
[0051] Block 420 comprises adjusting the body order from block 405 based on
the
comparison at block 415. Block 420 is performed by engine 304. The adjusting
typically
involves a reduction of the compensatory terms from block 405 by an amount
that reflects
the recovery of the reduction within the compensatory terms from block 410. In
this manner,
the second entity serves to subsidize the acquisition of the bodies 410 by the
first entity.
Where the order at block 410 is of sufficient size, it is possible that the
compensatory terms
from block 405 would be reduced to zero, or would even include a compensation
being
provided back to the first entity.
[0052] Note that blocks 410 through block 420 can repeat multiple times in
relation to a
single order from block 405.
[0053] Block 425 comprises fulfilling of the orders. Block 425 can be effected
by engine
304 forwarding the results from blocks 405-420 to fulfillment server 324.
Fulfillment server
324 can generate appropriate electronic instructions to, for example, a) send
orders to a
manufacturer of to produce bodies 105 in accordance with the order received at
block 405,
b) send orders to a manufacturer to produce covers 110, including preparation
of
appropriate messages on those covers 110, in accordance with the order
received at block
410, c) send invoices to the first and second entities, and in particular
where the invoices to
the first entity include the adjustment from block 420, d) send shipping
instructions for
destinations for bodies 105 and covers 110 in accordance with the orders
received at block
405 and block 410.
[0054] While foregoing describes various embodiments, it should be understood
that
variations, sub-sets and combinations of those embodiments are contemplated.
For
example, it should be understood that cover 110 can be used in conjunction
with the
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recycling bin described in US Patent 6,193,091.
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