Copyright © Françoise Herrmann
Simplehuman®, founded in 2000 by Frank Yang, set out to bring high performance to the most mundane objects of everyday life. Beginning with stainless steel trash cans that were no more functional than plastic ones, and some 200 patents later, Simplehuman® has brought quantum improvements to one of the most essential tools of day-to-day living.
Voice-activated, coated with antimicrobials, equipped with touchless sensors, liner-filled rims, dual-compartments to facilitate recycling, with or without a composting caddy, small 1.5 L or super large 115 L capacity, and everything in-between; round, semi-round, rectangular or slim to fit into tight spaces; built into cabinets, open top, or step cans, made of stainless steel, brushed or polished, black and white. Simplehuman® trash cans have not only received design patents for the way they look. They have also received numerous utility patents for the innovative ways in which they work.
The following is an impressive list of 36 utility patents, each reciting varying Simplehuman® improvements just to trash cans. Improvements that are so efficient, intuitive, and easy that they are probably already taken for granted.
- US6626316B2 - Trash can assembly for toe-kick recess.
- US7540396B2 - Trash can assembly.
- US7694838B2 - Trash can liner with bag securing mechanism.
- US7086550B2 - Trash can assembly with locking lid.
- US7264133B2 - Detachable foot pedal for trash can.
- US7559433B2 - Trash can assembly with locking lid.
- US7656109B2 - Trash can with power-operated lid.
- US7748556B2 - Trash can
- US7781995B2 - Trash can with power-operated lid.
- US7922024B2 - Receptable with motion damper for lid.
- US7950543B2 - Trash can assembly with locking lid.
- US8074833B2 - Trash can assembly with locking lid.
- US8297470B2 - Trash can assembly.
- US8567630B2 - Receptacle with motion dampers for lid and air filtration device.
- US8569980B2 - Trash can with power-operated lid.
- US8872459B2 - Trash cans with variable gearing assemblies.
- US9051093B2 - Receptacle with motion damper near lid.
US9434538B2 - Trash can.
US9573759B2 - Trash can.
- US9586755B1 - Dual sensing receptacles.
- US9790025B2 - Trash can with clutch mechanism.
- US10723549B2 - Trash can with adaptive dampening.
- US10279996B2 - Receptacle with low friction and low noise motion damper for lid.
- US20180178978A1 - Containers with multiple sensors.
- US11027916B2 - Containers with multiple sensors. (2021)
- US11279555B2 - Receptacle assemblies with motion dampers.
- US11535449B2 - Trash can assembly.
- US20220160126A1 - Built-in electronically movable waste receptacles. (2022)
- US20220204258A1 - Antimicrobial coatings for household goods. (2022)
- AU2022200042A1 - Compositions and materials for odor-reducing articles including trash bags.
- US20060237458A1 - Pedal assembly for trash can.
- US20060027579A1 - Damping lid for ruse with trash can assemblies.
- US20060283862A1 - Trash can assembly.
- US20090084788A1- Corner trash can.
- US20100147865A1 - Step trash can having integrated base and base liner.
- US20100237074A1- Receptacle with motion damper.
Eng, D. (June 18, 2016). The man who built Simplehuman® into the Apple of houseware.
https://fortune.com/2016/06/28/simplehuman-houseware-frank-yang/
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