System and method for balancing pressure in a container

Abstract

The invention is directed to a receptacle that includes a first container configured to receive a second container and a pressure-balancing structure configured to form a pathway to balance pressure between a space exterior to the first container and an interior space, where the interior space is located between the second container and an interior surface of the first container.

1 . A receptacle, comprising:
 a first container configured to receive a second container; and   a pressure-balancing structure configured to form a pathway to balance pressure between a space exterior to the first container and an interior space, the interior space being located between the second container and an interior surface of the first container.   
   
   
       2 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the first container is configured to hold a second container that may cause a vacuum between the second container and the first container when the second container is removed and may require force in excess of the weight of the second container and its contents to remove the second container from the first container, and wherein the pressure-balancing structure is configured to draw air into the vacuum, reducing the force required to remove the second container and its contents from the first container. 
   
   
       3 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the first container is a garbage container. 
   
   
       4 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising a projection disposed above the first container and configured to support a deformable bag in an open position. 
   
   
       5 . The receptacle of  claim 4 , wherein the projection is coupled to the first container. 
   
   
       6 . The receptacle of  claim 4 , wherein the projection is formed as an extension of the first container. 
   
   
       7 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the second container is a deformable container. 
   
   
       8 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the second container is a garbage bag. 
   
   
       9 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure is coupled to the first container. 
   
   
       10 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure is disposed substantially within the first container. 
   
   
       11 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure forms a first opening at a first end of the pathway and a second opening at a second end of the pathway. 
   
   
       12 . The receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein the first opening is configured to open to the space exterior to the first container. 
   
   
       13 . The receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein the first opening is configured to open to the space exterior to the first container while the first container is holding the second container. 
   
   
       14 . The receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein the second opening is configured to open to the interior space. 
   
   
       15 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure includes a hollow casing. 
   
   
       16 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure is tubular. 
   
   
       17 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure is U-shaped. 
   
   
       18 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure contains a plurality of apertures that open to the interior space. 
   
   
       19 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure includes an elongated member. 
   
   
       20 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure is cylindrical. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a pressure-balancing structure configured to form a pathway to balance pressure between a space exterior to a first container and an interior space, the interior space being located between a second container and an interior surface of the first container, wherein the first container is configured to receive a second container.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure includes a hollow casing. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure is tubular. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure is U-shaped. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure contains a plurality of apertures that open to the interior space. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure includes an elongated member. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure-balancing structure is cylindrical. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising an attachment mechanism coupled to the pressure-balancing structure and configured to fasten to the first container. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to manually fasten to the first container. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to removably fasten to the first container. 
   
   
       31 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a projection structure configured to be disposed above a container and configured to support a deformable bag in an open position.   
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising an attachment mechanism coupled to the projection structure and configured to fasten to the container. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to manually fasten to the container. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to removably fasten to the container. 
   
   
       35 . A waste container, comprising:
 a rigid container having an opening configured to receive a liner bag; and   a vent configured to balance any air vacuum that may build up between the rigid container and the liner bag when the liner bag is removed.   
   
   
       36 . The waste container of  claim 35 , further comprising a projection disposed above the rigid container to support the liner bag in an open position. 
   
   
       37 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent is coupled to the rigid container. 
   
   
       38 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent is disposed substantially within the rigid container. 
   
   
       39 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent forms an air passage between a space exterior to the rigid container and a space between the rigid container and the liner bag. 
   
   
       40 . The waste container of  claim 39 , wherein the vent forms the air passage while the rigid container is holding the liner bag. 
   
   
       41 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent forms a plurality of openings. 
   
   
       42 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent includes a hollow casing. 
   
   
       43 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent is tubular. 
   
   
       44 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent is U-shaped. 
   
   
       45 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent is formed using an elongated member. 
   
   
       46 . The waste container of  claim 35 , wherein the vent is cylindrical.