Apparatus and method for collecting and transferring yard waste

Abstract

A vented transfer container for household and yard waste is provided that includes ventilation openings to prevent the formation of a vacuum between contents and container upon transfer of contents to a collection bag. An alternative embodiment comprises an internal drain cup that closes the vents in the upright position and collects drainage from the waste, seals in odors and keeps out insects while gravity and vacuum cause the internal drain cup to open the vent openings when the container is inverted for transfer of waste. Alternately, the drain cup is external and comprises extraction handles. Still further, vents may be internal channels within the walls of the transfer container making the container leak-proof. Suction holes in the outer container wall near the rim keep the collection bag in contact with the container wall during transfer so that the collection bag remains open without user intervention.

1 . A vented debris transfer container comprising:
 a container base;   a container side wall extending upwardly from the container base, the side wall and container base cooperating to form a debris cavity therein; and   a plurality of vent holes formed in the container base, wherein said vent holes allow air to enter the debris cavity when said transfer container is inverted.   
     
     
         2 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second plurality of vent holes formed in said container side wall proximate a top edge thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 2 , wherein said second plurality of vent holes evacuate air from a space created between an exterior surface of the container sidewall and a collection bag that is placed there over when said transfer container is inverted and withdrawn from said collection bag. 
     
     
         4 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an extraction handle on said container base.   
     
     
         5 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 4 , wherein said extraction handle is affixed within a recess formed in said container base such that said handle does not extend beyond the plane of said container base. 
     
     
         6 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 4 , wherein said handle is formed integrally with said container base. 
     
     
         7 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 4 , wherein said handle is formed as a ridge in said side wall proximate the location where said side wall meets said base. 
     
     
         8 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a valving arrangement disposed adjacent said plurality of vent holes formed in the container base, said valving arrangement covering said vent holes when said container is upright and opening to allow air to flow freely through said vent holes when said container is inverted.   
     
     
         9 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 8 , wherein said valving arrangement is removable from said container. 
     
     
         10 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second plurality of vent holes formed in said container side wall proximate a top edge thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 10 , wherein said second plurality of vent holes evacuate air from a space created between an exterior surface of the container sidewall and a collection bag that is placed there over when said transfer container is inverted and withdrawn from said collection bag. 
     
     
         12 . The vented debris container of  claim 8 , said valving arrangement further comprising:
 a flat sheet of pliant material installed within said debris cavity adjacent an interior surface of said container base.   
     
     
         13 . The vented debris container of  claim 8 , said valving arrangement further comprising:
 a drain cup installed within said debris cavity adjacent an interior surface of said container base.   
     
     
         14 . The vented debris container of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a ridge in said container sidewall that extends into said debris cavity and cooperates with an upwardly extending wall of said drain cup to seal said vents when said container is upright, wherein said drip cup is displaced away from said container base by a lifting force applied thereto when said container is inverted, opening said vents to allow air to flow therethrough.   
     
     
         15 . The vented debris container of  claim 8 , said valving arrangement further comprising:
 a drain cup installed about an exterior surface of said container base.   
     
     
         16 . The vented debris container of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a tapered portion at the base of said container sidewall that receives a complementary tapered drain cup to seal said vents when said container is upright, wherein said drip cup is displaced away from said container base by a lifting force when said container is inverted and lifted, opening said vents to allow air to flow therethrough.   
     
     
         17 . A vented debris transfer container comprising:
 a container base;   a container side wall extending upwardly from the container base, the side wall and container base cooperating to form a debris cavity therein; and   a liner shroud having interior and exterior walls that are affixed to one another at a top edge forming a venting cavity therebetween, said liner shroud received over said container side wall such that said container side wall resides between said interior and exterior walls of said liner shroud,   wherein air enters the cavity of said liner shroud between said exterior wall of said liner shroud and an exterior surface of said container sidewall and flows into the debris cavity from an opening between said interior wall of said liner shroud and an interior surface of said container sidewall when said transfer container is inverted.   
     
     
         18 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a plurality of vent holes formed in said liner shroud proximate a top edge thereof.   
     
     
         19 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 18 , wherein said second plurality of vent holes evacuate air from a space created between an exterior surface of the liner shroud and a collection bag that is placed thereover when said transfer container is inverted and withdrawn from said collection bag. 
     
     
         20 . The vented debris transfer container of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 ribs extending outwardly from an exterior surface of said container side wall to stiffen said sidewall and support the exterior wall of said liner shroud.