Vacuum-release waste receptacle

Abstract

A vacuum-release waste receptacle designed to prevent vacuum adherence of a plastic liner disposed within the present receptacle upon removal of the liner. The present invention provides a waste receptacle including a plurality of air baffles formed on the inner sidewalls of the receptacle and projecting inwardly into the interior space of the receptacle and to its bottom wall. The air baffles are fabricated to a predetermined dimension, which is calculated to provide an indentation of sufficient depth in the filled plastic liner to create air conduits between the plastic liner, the air baffles, and the inner surface of the receptacle. The air conduits permit the ingress of atmospheric air into the receptacle providing for vacuum-release of the plastic liner upon its removal. Various alternative embodiments of the present waste receptacle are disclosed featuring different configurations of the air baffles.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vacuum-release waste receptacle for use in combination with a trash can liner, said receptacle comprising: 
 a generally cylindrical sidewall having an upper edge and an interior surface, and a bottom wall attached to said sidewall so that said bottom wall and said sidewall define an interior space, wherein said upper edge defines an opening in communication with said interior space; and    an air baffle formed on said interior surface of said sidewall and projecting inwardly into said interior space so as to form an air conduit between the liner and said sidewall, when the liner is positioned in said interior space, that is in fluid communication with said opening.    
     
     
         2 . A vacuum-release waste receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of air baffles are vertically disposed at predetermined intervals about the inner circumference of said cylindrical sidewall.  
     
     
         3 . A vacuum-release waste receptacle of  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined interval is 90 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . A vacuum-release waste receptacle for use in combination with a trash can liner, said receptacle comprising: 
 a generally cylindrical sidewall having an upper edge and an interior surface, and a bottom wall attached to said sidewall so that said bottom wall and said sidewall define an interior space, wherein said upper edge defines an opening in communication with said interior space; and    vacuum-releasing means for pressure equalization within said receptacle including at least one air baffle formed on said interior surface and projecting inwardly to a predetermined dimension forming air conduits between the liner and said interior surface in fluid communication with said upper opening for the ingress of atmospheric air.    
     
     
         5 . A vacuum-release waste receptacle of  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of air baffles are vertically disposed at predetermined intervals about the inner circumference of said cylindrical sidewall.  
     
     
         6 . A vacuum-release waste receptacle of  claim 5 , wherein said predetermined interval is 90 degrees.  
     
     
         7 . A vacuum-release waste receptacle of  claim 4  wherein the inward edges of said air baffle include a radius formed thereon to prevent tearing of the liner.  
     
     
         8 . An improved waste receptacle for use in combination with a trash liner, said receptacle having a generally cylindrical sidewall having an upper edge and an interior surface, and a bottom wall attached to said interior surface so that said bottom wall and said sidewall define an interior space, wherein said upper edge defines an opening in communication with said interior space, wherein the improvement comprises: 
 vacuum-releasing means for pressure equalization within said receptacle including at least one air baffle comprising a generally L-shaped structure formed on said interior surface and projecting inwardly to a predetermined dimension forming a plurality of air conduits between the liner and said interior surface in fluid communication with said upper opening for the ingress of atmospheric air.    
     
     
         9 . An improved vacuum-release waste receptacle of  claim 8 , wherein a plurality of air baffles are vertically disposed at predetermined intervals about the inner circumference of said cylindrical sidewall.  
     
     
         10 . An improved vacuum-release waste receptacle of  claim 9 , wherein said predetermined interval is 90 degrees.  
     
     
         11 . An improved vacuum-release waste receptacle of  claim 8 , wherein the inward edges of said air baffle include a radius formed thereon to prevent tearing of the liner.