Caddy for container and methods for using same

Abstract

A caddy for a container, such as a waste container is configured to be disposed on the rim of a container and receive and hold various implements. The caddy may include handles suitable to push the container when the caddy is attached to it. The caddy may also include a flat, front end portion to prevent rolling when the container is tipped over. The caddy may be used in a method of organizing janitorial implements and a method of removing waste liners from a container.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A caddy for a container comprising a base having a top surface with an open inner portion defined by an inner lip portion, the base configured to be disposed on a rim of a container so that the open inner portion is provided over the container, whereby contents of the container may be removed therefrom without necessitating removal of the base from the container.  
     
     
         2 . The caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the open inner portion extends along substantially the entire circumference of the rim of the container.  
     
     
         3 . The caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to fixedly attach to the container.  
     
     
         4 . The caddy of  claim 3 , wherein the base includes a handle for manually grasping the base.  
     
     
         5 . The caddy of  claim 5 , wherein the handle is attached in a fixed position relative to the base.  
     
     
         6 . The caddy of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one latch for securing the base to the container.  
     
     
         7 . The caddy of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one latch is comprised a plurality of resilient locking tabs disposed along a bottom surface of the base, the locking tabs being configured to secure the base to the rim of the container.  
     
     
         8 . The caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the container is cylindrical waste container.  
     
     
         9 . The caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to receive a plurality of janitorial implements.  
     
     
         10 . The caddy of  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of holders for janitorial implements are integrally formed in the base.  
     
     
         11 . The caddy of  claim 10 , wherein at least one holder is disposed in the top surface of the base.  
     
     
         12 . The caddy of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one holder attached to an outer side of the base.  
     
     
         13 . The caddy of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one holder is detachable from the base.  
     
     
         14 . The caddy of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one hook attached to the base.  
     
     
         15 . The caddy of  claim 9 , wherein the implements comprise one or more of the group consisting of: bottles, sponges, towels, gloves, brooms, dust pans; towels, and container liners.  
     
     
         16 . The caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a substantially flat, outer edge portion configured to stabilize the container when the container is tilted onto its side.  
     
     
         17 . The caddy of  claim 16 , further comprising a handle portion fixed to the base at a portion opposing the flat edge portion.  
     
     
         18 . The caddy of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one retainer hoop configured to hold a liner bag within the base.  
     
     
         19 . The caddy of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one retainer hoop comprises two semi-circularly, movable hoops configured to retain a liner bag within the inner lip portion of the base.  
     
     
         20 . The caddy of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one guide recess formed on a side portion of the base, the guide recess being configured to guide a roll of liner bags and facilitate dispensing of liners from the roll.  
     
     
         21 . The caddy of  claim 20 , wherein the guide recess includes two tapered members forming a pinch point to facilitate tearing liners from the roll.  
     
     
         22 . The caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a substantially rigid plastic.  
     
     
         23 . A method of organizing janitorial implements comprising: 
 providing a waste container having an open upper rim;    providing a caddy having a top surface with an open inner portioned defined by an inner lip portion, the caddy including at least one receptacle for recovering a janitorial implement;    attaching the caddy to the upper rim of the container; and    inserting at least one janitorial implement said receptacle.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein attaching includes fitting the inner lip of the caddy over substantially the entire circumference of the upper rim of the container.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein attaching includes securing the base to the container with a latch provided on the base.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the latch is comprised of a plurality of resilient locking tabs disposed along a bottom surface of the base, the locking tabs securing the base to the rim of the container.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein at least one janitorial implement is held by friction fit in the at least one receptacle.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising holding a liner bag within the container by inserting at least one retainer hoop a top open end of a liner bag under that is disposed with the inner lip portion of the caddy.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the caddy further includes a guide recess formed on a side portion of the base.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising retaining a liner bag roll with the guide recess.  
     
     
         31 . A method of removing a waste liner from a waste container comprising: 
 providing a waste container;    attaching a caddy to the container, the caddy including a base and at least one handle attached to the base, wherein the base has a substantially flat, outer edge portion on a side opposing the at least one handle, the substantially flat, outer edge portion being configured to stabilize the container when the container is tilted onto its side;    tilting the container such that the substantially flat, outer edge portion rests on a surface; and    removing the waste liner from the container.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the base is configured to receive and hold a plurality of janitorial implements, the janitorial implements remaining in the base while container is tilted.  
     
     
         33 . A container having a caddy according to  claim 1  formed integrally therewith.  
     
     
         34 . A container according to  claim 33 , wherein the container and caddy comprise a unitary structure formed by injection-molding.