US 12,275,582 B2
Sorting apparatus for separating a receptacle into multiple sections
Ryan Collins, Walnut Creek, CA (US); and Jill Collins, Walnut Creek, CA (US)
Filed by Ryan Collins, Walnut Creek, CA (US); and Jill Collins, Walnut Creek, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/106,583.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/309,182, filed on Feb. 11, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0294913 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. B65F 1/06 (2006.01); B65F 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65F 1/0033 (2013.01) [B65F 1/067 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sorting apparatus for a receptacle, comprising:
a first member comprising a first end portion at a first proximal end and a first overlaid portion at a first distal end, wherein the first end portion is configured to at least partially wrap around an upper edge of the receptacle; and
a second member comprising a second overlaid portion at a second proximal end and a second end portion at a second distal end, wherein the second end portion is configured to at least partially wrap around the upper edge of the receptacle,
wherein the first member is couplable to the second member,
wherein the first overlaid portion of the first member is able to slide relative to the second overlaid portion of the second member between a first configuration and a second configuration for the sorting apparatus,
wherein at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion are disengaged from a respective upper edge of an opening of the receptacle when the sorting apparatus is in the first configuration,
wherein both the first end portion and the second end portion engage the respective upper edge of the opening of the receptacle when the sorting apparatus is in the second configuration to secure the sorting apparatus to the receptacle,
wherein securing the sorting apparatus to the receptacle retains respective portions of a first bag between the first end portion of the sorting apparatus and the upper edge of the receptacle, and the second end portion of the sorting apparatus and the upper edge of the receptacle, and within a first portion of a cavity defined within the receptacle that is accessible via the opening of the receptacle,
wherein securing the sorting apparatus to the receptacle retains respective portions of a second bag between the first end portion of the sorting apparatus and the upper edge of the receptacle, and the second end portion of the sorting apparatus and the upper edge of the receptacle, and within a second portion of the cavity defined within the receptacle that is accessible via the opening of the receptacle, and
wherein both the first end portion and the second end portion include a notch configured to hold a portion of one or more of the first bag and the second bag.