Trash can assembly

Abstract

A trash can assembly generally having an inner container, an outer cover and a locking mechanism for securing the two-piece design together is disclosed. The inner container has a wall including a first open end, a base at a second end, and a rim about a periphery of the first open end. The locking mechanism comprises at least one locking tab affixed to the inner container, with at least one locking slot defined within the outer cover and positioned to align with and engage the locking tab when the two pieces are joined. It is preferable that the locking mechanism of the assembly be capable of being unlocked or released by the user from an exterior surface of the outer cover. The outer cover includes a wall defining a hollow, a rim defining a first opening, and a base defining a second opening.

1 . A trash can assembly comprising:
 an inner container having a wall including a first open end, a base at a second end, and a rim about a periphery of the first open end;   at least one locking tab affixed to the container;   an outer cover having a wall defining a hollow, a rim defining a first opening, and a base defining a second opening; and   at least one locking slot defined within the wall of the outer cover and positioned to align with and engage the at least one locking tab when the inner container is positioned within the hollow of the outer cover.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab comprises a resilient arm for biasing the tab outward from the wall of the inner container. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the resilient arm is attached to the rim of the inner container. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient arm extends downward from the rim of the inner container. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the locking tab comprises a push button at an end of the resilient arm configured to releasably snap fit into the locking slot. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a push button extending from each of the at least one locking slots and configured to bias the locking tab when inserted within the slot. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab comprises a push button configured to releasably snap fit into the locking slot. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the number of locking tabs is within the range of from 1 to 4. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the number of locking tabs is 2. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking tab extends from the rim of the inner container. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking tab of the inner container supports the weight of the outer cover when engaged within the at least one locking slot. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rim of the outer cover contacts the rim of the inner container when the at least one locking tab is engaged with the at least one locking slot. 
   
   
       13 . A trash container comprising:
 an inner container capable of receiving a bag liner;   an outer cover open at two ends and configured to fit over the inner container; and   a locking mechanism comprising at least one resilient tab extending from the inner container for securing the outer cover to the inner container.   
   
   
       14 . The trash container of  claim 13 , wherein the locking mechanism is positioned between the inner container and the outer cover such that it is capable of being unlocked from an exterior surface of the outer cover. 
   
   
       15 . The trash container of  claim 13 , further comprising a release mechanism positioned on an exterior surface of the outer cover. 
   
   
       16 . The trash container of  claim 15 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a portion of the locking mechanism extending into an opening within the outer cover. 
   
   
       17 . The trash container of  claim 13 , wherein a wall of the outer cover is outwardly angled. 
   
   
       18 . The trash container of  claim 13 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises at least one locking slot within the outer cover aligned with the at least one resilient tab when the outer cover is placed over the inner container. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the resilient tab comprises an arm for biasing the tab outward from the wall of the inner container. 
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the arm is attached to the rim of the inner container. 
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the resilient arm extends downward from the rim of the inner container. 
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a push button configured to releasably snap fit into the locking slot. 
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the locking mechanism supports the weight of the outer cover when secured to the inner container. 
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rim of the outer cover contacts the rim of the inner container when the outer cover is secured to the inner container.