Granted Patent B2

US 12,371,255 · App. 18/223,317 · Granted Jul 29, 2025

Inventors: Keith R. Boye (Oneida, WI); Robert Godfrey (Monona, WI); Jared Miller (Deforest, WI); Jeffrey J. Brickl (Prairie Du Sac, WI)

Assignee: GROTE Industries LLC

B65F7/00B05B1/12

Abstract

Claims (67)

1. A sanitization device for a garbage can comprising:

a housing;

a container containing a cleaning solution configured to kill bacteria within the garbage can, the container configured to be releasably attached to the housing;

an adjustable nozzle releasably mounted to the container; and

at least two sprayers configured to dispense the cleaning solution into the garbage can;

wherein the nozzle is adjustable relative to the container between:

a first position having a first spray pattern; and

a second position having a second spray pattern.

2. The sanitization device of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable nozzle is configured to be adjustable between:

a wide spray pattern; and

a narrow spray pattern.

3. The sanitization device of claim 2 , wherein the adjustable nozzle is configured to be adjustable between:

a first spray setting having a spray cone of approximately 70 degrees; and

a second spray setting having a spray cone of approximately 20 degrees.

4. The sanitization device of claim 3 , wherein the adjustable nozzle is configured to be adjustable to a medium spray pattern; and

wherein the adjustable nozzle is configured to be adjustable to a third spray setting having a spray cone of approximately 40 degrees.

5. The sanitization device of claim 4 , further comprising a container containing the cleaning solution; and

wherein the adjustable nozzle further comprises a base secured to the container and a side plate rotatably connected to the base.

6. The sanitization device of claim 5 , further comprising a tab mounted to the housing, the tab being rotatable between:

a first position in which the tab engages the container; and

a second position in which the disengages from the container, configured to hold the container in place relative to the housing.

7. The sanitization device of claim 5 , further comprising a delivery tube;

wherein the container further comprises a reservoir configured to hold a cleaning solution;

wherein the reservoir is a substantially-horizontally mounted reservoir;

wherein the reservoir further comprises a bottom wall that is angled towards a low point;

wherein the delivery tube extends downwardly from the adjustable nozzle to the bottom wall of the reservoir.

8. The sanitization device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two sprayers are configured to spray the cleaning solution at a predetermined interval.

9. The sanitization device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two sprayers are configured to spray the cleaning solution upon receipt of a manual or remote virtual command.

10. The sanitization device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to monitor the height of a plurality of garbage bags contained within the garbage can;

wherein the at least two sprayers are temporarily disabled if the plurality of garbage bags exceed a predetermined height.

11. The sanitization device of claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises:

a reservoir configured to hold a cleaning solution, the reservoir comprising a bottom and a plurality of sides; and

a neck extending from the reservoir;

wherein the adjustable nozzle further comprises a base; and

wherein the base is rotatably secured to the neck.

12. The sanitization device of claim 11 , wherein the base further comprises:

a first fluid passageway in fluid flow connection to a first sprayer; and

a second fluid passageway in fluid flow connection to a second sprayer.

13. The sanitization device of claim 12 , wherein the adjustable nozzle further comprises a side plate having a third passageway;

wherein the side plate is rotatable relative to the base between:

a first position in which the third passageway connects the reservoir to the first fluid passageway and the first sprayer; and

a second position in which the third passageway connects the reservoir to the second fluid passageway and the second sprayer.

14. The sanitization device of claim 13 , wherein the reservoir is a substantially-horizontally mounted reservoir; and

wherein the bottom that is angled towards a low point.

15. The sanitization device of claim 14 , further comprising a tab mounted to the housing, the tab being rotatable between:

a first position in which the tab engages the bottom of the container; and

a second position in which the disengages from the bottom of the container.

16. The sanitization device of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprising a plurality of compartments;

wherein the container is releasably installed into a first compartment;

wherein a battery is releasably installed into a second compartment; and

wherein an electronic board is releasably installed into a third compartment, the electronic board configured to activate the adjustable nozzle.

17. The sanitization device of claim 16 , further comprising a plastic pod containing the solution removably insertable into one of the plurality of compartments.

18. The sanitization device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a mounting plate located within the housing; and

a backer plate releasably connected to the mounting plate.

19. A sanitization device for a garbage can comprising:

a container containing a cleaning solution;

an adjustable nozzle comprising at least two sprayers with at least two different spray patterns connected to the container;

a housing configured to releasably receive the container and the adjustable nozzle; and

a power supply and electronic board configured to enable and disable the at least one sprayer;

wherein the adjustable nozzle is configured to dispense the cleaning solution into the garbage can.

20. The sanitization device of claim 19 , further comprising:

a mount connected to the housing; and

a level sensor;

wherein the housing is configured to releasably attach to an underside of a lid of the garbage can;

wherein the sprayer is disabled when the level sensor does not detect that the housing is substantially horizontal; and

wherein the sprayer is enabled when the level sensor detects that the housing is substantially horizontal.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (16)