US20110186574A1

US20110186574A1 - Damper device and trash can equipped with the same

Info

Publication number: US20110186574A1
Application number: US12/700,642
Authority: US
Inventors: Jing Bo Zhong
Original assignee: Test Rite International Co Ltd
Current assignee: Test Rite International Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-02-04
Filing date: 2010-02-04
Publication date: 2011-08-04

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a damper device, comprising: a compression member having a first opening and an expandable casing; a fixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, wherein the fixed member is connected to the compression member, and the second opening and the first opening together form a passage; and a movable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening, wherein when the compression member is being released, the movable member makes the passage open for air to fill in the expandable casing, and when the compression member is being compressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of air discharging from the expandable casing. The present disclosure further provides a trash can equipped with a damper device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a damper device and a trash can equipped with the same. By using the damper device, the lid of the trash can is able to close slowly on the main body of the trash can.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

There are generally two types of trash cans: open-type trash cans without any covers or lids, and closed-type ones provided with covers or lids that can be shut by users. A closed-type trash can typically include a lid, a container body, a foot pedal and a linkage mechanism. The lower part of the linkage mechanism is positioned near the bottom of the container body and pivotally connected to one end of the foot pedal, while the upper part of the linkage mechanism is positioned near the lid so that the two components are pivotally connected to each other. When a user steps on the foot pedal, the linkage mechanism will move upward and lift the lid open. As the linkage mechanism comes to a highest position it can reach, the lid will remain open at a fixed position. Generally, the linkage mechanism is also connected to a hydraulic mechanism, which allows the linkage mechanism to move downward slowly and return to its original position, so that the lid can close and fit over the container body when the user releases the foot pedal. However, in cold weathers when temperatures are extremely low, the liquid in the hydraulic mechanism may solidify; in consequence, the linkage mechanism cannot move downward slowly to its original position, the lid cannot be closed, and the trash can will remain open. Therefore, an improved trash can is required to overcome the above drawbacks of a conventional closed-type trash can.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a damper device and a trash can equipped with the same. The trash can includes a damper device positioned on a stand, and a linkage mechanism of the trash can secures a contact member at one end to make the contact member positioned on the damper device. When the foot pedal of the trash can is stepped on, the lid of the trash can will open; when the pedal is released, the linkage mechanism will cause the contact member to move downward to compress the damper device, allowing the lid to close slowly on the container body of the trash can.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a damper device is provided, which comprises: a compression member having a first opening and an expandable casing; a fixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, wherein the fixed member is connected to the compression member, and the second opening and the first opening together form a passage; and a movable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening, wherein when the compression member is being released, the movable member makes the passage open for air to enter and fill up the expandable casing, and when the compression member is being compressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of the air being discharged from the expandable casing.
Preferably, the first opening is provided with an outer thread, and the fixed member is provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread.
Preferably, the movable member is a sphere.
Preferably, the first opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the first opening.
Preferably, the second opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the second opening.
Preferably, the movable member comprises a movable piece having a plurality of through-holes, the diameter of the movable piece being larger than the diameter of the second opening and smaller than the diameter of the first opening.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a trash can equipped with a damper device is provided, which includes a lid, a container body, a stand, a step unit and a hinge portion, wherein the step unit includes a foot pedal and a linkage mechanism having one end connected to the foot pedal and the other end connected to the lid, the lid fits over the container body, the container body fits over the stand and has a liner inside, and the hinge portion is connected to the container body and pivotally connected to the lid. The trash can further includes a damper device confined to a position on the stand by a confining member, and the linkage mechanism of the trash can secures a contact member to make it positioned on the damper device. The damper device comprises: a compression member having a first opening and an expandable casing; a fixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, wherein the fixed member is connected to the compression member, and the second opening and the first opening together form a passage; and a movable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening. When the foot pedal is stepped on so that the compression member is being released, the movable member makes the passage open for air to enter and fill up in the expandable casing, and when the foot pedal is released so that the compression member is being compressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of the air being discharged from the expandable casing. As a result, the air in the compression member will discharge slowly, thereby allowing the lid to slowly move downward and then close on the container body of the trash can.
Preferably, the first opening is provided with an outer thread, and the fixed member is provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread.
Preferably, the movable member is a sphere.
Preferably, the first opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the first opening.
Preferably, the second opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the second opening.
Preferably, the movable member comprises a movable piece having a plurality of through-holes, the diameter of the movable piece being larger than the diameter of the second opening and smaller than the diameter of the first opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device in different states according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device in different states according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is a schematic view of the second opening in the second embodiment;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device in different states according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a schematic view of the first opening in the third embodiment

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a trash can according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the circle C in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the trash can according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the trash can according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. It is to be understood that all kinds of alterations and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present disclosure. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device 10 in different states according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure In this embodiment, the damper device 10 comprises: a compression member 1 having a first opening 2 and an expandable casing 3; a fixed member 4 having a second opening 5 corresponding to the first opening 2, wherein the fixed member 4 is connected to the compression member 1, and the second opening 5 and the first opening 2 together form a passage; and a movable member 6 positioned at the passage formed by the first opening 2 and the second opening 5 to control the open/close state of the passage.
The first opening 2 of the compression member 1 is provided with an outer thread 7, and the fixed member 4 is provided with an inner thread 8 corresponding to the outer thread 7. The fixed member 4 is connected to the compression member 1 by means of the engagement between the outer thread 7 and the inner thread 8. The movable member 6 comprises a movable piece 9, wherein the diameter of the movable piece 9 is larger than that of the second opening 5 and smaller than that of the first opening 2. The movable piece 9 has a plurality of through-holes 91.
When a force F (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1A) is applied to the expandable casing 3 and makes it compressed, the movable member 6 will make the passage close (for the diameter of the movable piece 9 of the movable member 6 is larger than that of the second opening 5 of the fixed member 4). Consequently, air cannot be discharged from the expandable casing 3 via the second opening 5 of the fixed member 4; the air within the expandable casing 3 is also compressed. Meanwhile, since the movable piece 9 has the through-holes 91 that can restrict the amount of the air being discharged, the air within the expandable casing 3 will be slowly discharged via the through-holes 91 of the movable piece 9. When the force F disappears (as shown in FIG. 1B), the expandable casing 3 will soon expand due to its own elastic recovery force, and the expansion leads to a negative pressure state within the expandable casing 3. Moreover, since the diameter of the movable piece 9 of the movable member 6 is smaller than that of the first opening 2 of the compression member 1, the movable piece 9 of the movable member 6 will be lifted up by the pressure outside the damper device. Therefore, the movable member 6 makes the passage open, air outside the device enters the expandable casing 3 (as shown in FIG. 1 B, the arrow indicates the air flow direction) via the passage, and the expandable casing 3 soon recovers the released state.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device 11 in different states according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2C is a schematic view of the area A in FIG. 2A, illustrating the second opening 12 of the damper device 11. In this embodiment, the damper device 11 comprises: a compression member 1 having a first opening 2 and an expandable casing 3; a fixed member 4 having a second opening 12 corresponding to the first opening 2, wherein the fixed member 4 is connected to the compression member 1, and the second opening 12 and the first opening 2 together form a passage; and a movable member 13 positioned at the passage formed by the first opening 2 and the second opening 12. The second opening 12 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 121 (as shown in FIG. 2C). The movable member 13 may be a sphere and is positioned on the plurality of protrusions 121 of the second opening 12; more particularly, the movable member 13 and the protrusions 121 are in contact.
When a force F (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2A) is applied to the expandable casing 3, since protrusions 121 of the second opening 12 can restrict the amount of the air being discharged, the expandable casing 3 will gradually turn to the compressed state. When the force F disappears (as shown in FIG. 2B), the expandable casing 3 will soon expand due to its own elastic recovery force, and the expansion leads to a negative pressure state within the expandable casing 3. Moreover, since the diameter of the movable member 13 is smaller than that of the first opening 2 of the compression member 1, the movable member 13 will float up because of the pressure outside the damper device. Therefore, the movable member 13 makes the passage open, air outside the device enters the expandable casing 3 (as shown in FIG. 2B, the arrow indicates the air flow direction) via the passage, and the expandable casing 3 soon recovers the released state.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional sectional views of a damper device 21 in different states according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3C is a schematic view of the area B in FIG. 3A, illustrating the first opening 22 of the damper device 21. In this embodiment, the damper device 21 comprises: a compression member 1 having a first opening 22 and an expandable casing 3; a fixed member 4 having a second opening 5 corresponding to the first opening 22, wherein the fixed member 4 is connected to the compression member 1, and the second opening 5 and the first opening 22 together form a passage; and a movable member 23 positioned at the passage formed by the first opening 22 and the second opening 5. The first opening 22 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 221 (as shown in FIG. 3C). The movable member 23 may be a sphere and is positioned on the plurality of protrusions 221 of the first opening 22; more particularly, the movable member 23 and the protrusions 221 are in contact.
When a force F (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3A) is applied to the expandable casing 3, since protrusions 221 of the first opening 22 can restrict the amount of the air being discharged, the expandable casing 3 will gradually turn to the compressed state. When the force F disappears (as shown in FIG. 3B), the expandable casing 3 will soon expand due to its own elastic recovery force, and the expansion leads to a negative pressure state within the expandable casing 3. Moreover, the movable member 23 will float up because of the pressure outside the damper device. Therefore, the movable member 23 makes the passage open, air outside the device enters the expandable casing 3 (as shown in FIG. 3B, the arrow indicates the air flow direction) via the passage, and the expandable casing 3 soon recovers the released state.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a trash can 31 equipped with a damper device 10 according to the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the trash can 31 equipped with the damper device 10 includes a lid 32, a container body 33, a stand 34, a step unit and a hinge portion 35. The step unit includes a foot pedal 36 and a linkage mechanism 37 (comprising a horizontal linkage portion 37 and a vertical linkage portion 37, as shown in FIG. 4). The linkage mechanism 37 has one end connected to the foot pedal 36 and the other end connected to the lid 32. The lid 32 fits over the container body 33; the container body 33 fits over the stand 34 and has a liner 38 inside. The hinge portion 35 is connected to the container body 33 and pivotally connected to the lid 32; for example, the hinge portion 35 may be pivotally connected to the lid 32 by means of a pivot shaft (not shown).
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the circle C in FIG. 4. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a confining member 39 is secured to the stand 34. The damper device 10 is confined to a position on the stand 34 by the confining member 39, and the vertical linkage portion of the linkage mechanism 37 secures a contact member 40 (a connection member 41 may be used to connect and secure the linkage mechanism 37 to the contact member 40, as shown in FIG. 5) to make it positioned on the damper device 10. The components of the damper device 10 and its working principle have been described above, so relevant descriptions will be omitted hereinafter.
When a user steps on the foot pedal 36 and causes the vertical linkage portion of the linkage mechanism 37 to start moving upward, the lid 32 opens and the compression member 1 is being released. The movable member 6 then makes the passage open for air to enter the expandable casing 3 via the passage. At the same time, the expandable casing 3 expands due to its own elastic recovery force. The expansion leads to a negative pressure state within the expandable casing 3, thereby allowing air outside the device to enter the expandable casing 3 via the passage. Consequently, the expandable casing 3 soon recovers the released state.
When the user release the foot pedal 36 and causes the vertical linkage portion of the linkage mechanism 37 to start moving downward, the compression member 1 is being evenly compressed by the contact member 40 in a downward direction. The movable member 6 then makes the passage close to compress the air within the expandable casing 3. Since the movable piece 9 has a plurality of through-holes 91 that can restrict the amount of the air being discharged, the compressed air within the expandable casing 3 is being slowly discharged via the through-holes 91 of the movable piece 9, and thus, at the same time, the vertical linkage portion of the linkage mechanism 37 is moving downward slowly. As a result, the lid 32 will be closing slowly on the container body 33 before the lid 32 comes to a completely closed position.
Although a damper device 10 of the first embodiment is applied to the trash can 31 described above, a damper device 11 of the second embodiment or a damper device 21 of the third embodiment may also be applied to the same trash can. FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show such trash cans equipped with a damper device 11/21, so that in either case, the lid 32 of the trash can is able to close slowly on the container body 33. The working principle of the damper devices 11 and 21 has been described above; relevant descriptions will be omitted hereinafter.
While this present disclosure has been described by way of examples and in terms of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited hereto, and that various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A damper device, comprising:

a compression member having a first opening and an expandable casing;

a fixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, the fixed member being connected to the compression member, the second opening and the first opening together forming a passage; and

a movable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening, wherein when the compression member is being released, the movable member makes the passage open for air to enter and fill up the expandable casing, and when the compression member is being compressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of the air being discharged from the expandable casing.

2. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the first opening is provided with an outer thread, and the fixed member is provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread.

3. The damper device according to claim 2, wherein the movable member is a sphere.

4. The damper device according to claim 3, wherein the first opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the first opening.

5. The damper device according to claim 3, wherein the second opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the second opening.

6. The damper device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member comprises a movable piece having a plurality of through-holes, the diameter of the movable piece being larger than the diameter of the second opening and smaller than the diameter of the first opening.

7. A trash can equipped with a damper device, comprising:

a stand;

a container body that fits over the stand and has a liner inside;

a lid that fits over the container body;

a step unit including a foot pedal and a linkage mechanism having one end connected to the foot pedal and the other end connected to the lid;

a hinge portion connected to the container body and pivotally connected to the lid; and

a damper device confined to a position on the stand by a confining member, the linkage mechanism securing a contact member to make the contact member positioned on the damper device, wherein the damper device comprises:

a compression member having a first opening and an expandable casing;

a fixed member having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, wherein the fixed member is connected to the compression member, and the second opening and the first opening together form a passage; and

a movable member positioned at the passage formed by the first opening and the second opening,

wherein when foot pedal is stepped on so that the compression member is being released, the movable member makes the passage open for air to enter and fill up the expandable casing, and when the foot pedal is released so that the compression member is being compressed, the movable member makes the passage close to restrict the amount of the air being discharged from the expandable casing.

8. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 7, wherein the first opening is provided with an outer thread, and the fixed member is provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread.

9. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 8, wherein the movable member is a sphere.

10. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 9, wherein the first opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the first opening.

11. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 9, wherein the second opening is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the movable member is positioned on the plurality of protrusions of the second opening.

12. The trash can equipped with a damper device according to claim 7, wherein the movable member comprises a movable piece having a plurality of through-holes, the diameter of the movable piece being larger than the diameter of the second opening and smaller than the diameter of the first opening.