ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 17 -- United States Patent no. 12,577,040, issued on March 17.
"Handheld trash compaction apparatus" was invented by Wayne Smith (Portland, Ore.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A handheld trash compaction apparatus for compacting trash downwardly into a trash can using a portable, handheld device includes a housing lid with a handle attached thereto, a bottom press configured to fit within the housing lid, and a drive mechanism mounted within the housing lid and coupled to the bottom press. The drive mechanism is actuatable to move in a compacting direction which urges the bottom press downwardly and outwardly from the housing lid. When actuated in the compacting directi...