Refuse container handle-liner dispenser unit

Abstract

The present invention is a refuse container handle-liner dispenser unit that functions to allow the storage of replacement liners at the refuse receptacle on its upper portion, to allow for the easy replacement of liners. The combination handle-dispenser unit may be integral with the refuse receptacle or attachable to the receptacle as an add-on unit. The add-on version of the invention contains clipping mechanisms that enable the secure attachment of the unit to the refuse container, allowing the use of the handle portion to securely lift the container. The handle-dispenser contains a retainer portion to retain a set of replacement liners. The retainer portion may optionally also have a cap-like cover to prevent soiling of the replacement liners, the cap unit being either separate or attached thereto.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A handle-dispenser unit located at the open upper end of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining the open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the handle-dispenser unit comprising: 
 an attachment portion to attach the handle-dispenser unit to the upper end of the container;    a retainer portion to retain a set of replacement liners; and,    a handle portion.    
     
     
         2 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 1 , in which the handle-dispenser unit is integral with the upper end of the container.  
     
     
         3 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 1 , in which the handle-dispenser unit is an add-on unit.  
     
     
         4 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 3 , in which the attachment portion comprises a clip mechanism.  
     
     
         5 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 3 , in which the attachment portion comprises a cam lock mechanism.  
     
     
         6 . The retainer portion of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of side walls defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base.  
     
     
         7 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 6 , further comprising a cap unit fittable to the opening of the retainer portion.  
     
     
         8 . The cap unit of  claim 7 , further comprising an elongated slot to allow the individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         9 . The retainer portion of  claim 7 , further comprising a locking mechanism to secure the set of replacement liners within the retainer portion.  
     
     
         10 . The locking mechanism of  claim 9 , comprising a lock slot located in the cap unit sized to insertably hold a lock tab located on the upper end of the retainer portion.  
     
     
         11 . The retainer portion of  claim 6 , further comprising an elongated slot to allow the individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         12 . The retainer portion of  claim 11 , in which the elongated slot is located in the lower end thereof to allow the downward, individual dispensement of the liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         13 . The retainer portion of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 a hollow tube having two ends, the hollow tube being sized to insertably retain a roll of replacement liners; and,    at least one cap unit to cap at least one of the two ends.    
     
     
         14 . The retainer portion of  claim 13 , in which each of the two ends is capped by one of the at least one cap units, and further comprising an elongated slot extending lengthwise in the hollow tube to allow the individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         15 . The retainer portion of  claim 13 , in which each of the two ends is capped by one of the at least one cap units, and one of the two cap units further comprises a slot to allow individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacement liners.  
     
     
         16 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid.  
     
     
         17 . The lid of  claim 16 , being hingeably attachable to the handle-dispenser unit and rotatable between an open and a closed position.  
     
     
         18 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizing means.  
     
     
         19 . The handle portion of  claim 1 , in which the handle portion is integral with the retainer portion of the handle-dispenser unit.  
     
     
         20 . The retainer portion of  claim 19 , further comprising a groove in one of the plurality of side walls to form the handle portion.  
     
     
         21 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and,    a handle-dispenser unit, comprising: 
 an attachment portion to attach the handle-dispenser unit to the upper end of the container;  
 a retainer portion to retain a set of replacement liners; and,  
 a handle portion.  
   
     
     
         22 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 21 , in which the handle-dispenser unit is integral with the upper end of the container.  
     
     
         23 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 21 , in which the handle-dispenser unit is an add-on unit.  
     
     
         24 . A refuse receptacle, comprising: 
 a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base;    a handle-dispenser unit, comprising: 
 an attachment portion to attach the handle-dispenser unit to the upper end of the container;  
 a retainer portion to retain a set of replacement liners; and,  
 a handle portion; and,  
   a stabilizing means.    
     
     
         25 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 24 , in which the handle-dispenser unit is integral with the upper end of the container.  
     
     
         26 . The handle-dispenser unit of  claim 24 , in which the handle-dispenser unit is an add-on unit.  
     
     
         27 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 24 , in which the stabilizing means comprises a flange fittable to the base of the refuse receptacle.  
     
     
         28 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 24 , in which the stabilizing means comprises a design modification to one of the at least one side wall opposite the retaining means.  
     
     
         29 . The stabilizing means of  claim 28 , in which the design modification comprises a thickening of the side wall opposite the retaining means.  
     
     
         30 . The stabilizing means of  claim 28 , in which the design modification comprises an increase in height of the side wall opposite the retaining means  
     
     
         31 . The refuse receptacle of  claim 24 , further comprising a lid.  
     
     
         32 . The lid of claim  31 , being hingeably attachable to the handle-dispenser unit and rotatable between an open and a closed position.