We're finishing up our kitchen remodel . . . have built a center
island of 3" thick maple cutting board with a shelf underneath it. We
want to build a deep drawer that will hold a container for compost
(the size of a large bucket) and to somehow build a lid for the
container that will open automaticaly when the drawer is pulled out,
so that the action can be done with one hand, easily.
It needs to be easy to clean, and not require a degree in engineering
to build (or megabucks to buy) . . .

We can't quite figure how to do it . . . .

Any suggestions? 

Don't know if there's anything on the web that would actually show a
design for this kind of thing; any or all usefull ideas welcome . . .
!

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Request for Question Clarification by redhoss-ga on 04 Jan 2005 09:52 PST

Do you want details on how to build the "deep drawer" or you mainly
concerned with the easy open lid.

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Clarification of Question by timespacette-ga on 04 Jan 2005 16:35 PST

hi, and thanks for responding!

building a drawer is a piece o' cake for my husband

we just need to figure out the lid-opening mechanism if one exists . . .

thanks!

ts

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Clarification of Question by timespacette-ga on 04 Jan 2005 16:38 PST

just to clarify further, the idea is so that we can open the drawer
with one hand and push the vegetable refuse off the cutting board into
the bucket with the other, without having to take the lid off, put it
down somewhere, push the refuse off, put the lid back on, etc, etc . .
.

do you have a good visual of all this?

thanks again,

ts

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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 04 Jan 2005 16:46 PST

Just an idea...

How about a spring attached to the back of the drawer and the lid
(somehow), that does this:  when you lift the lid (say an inch or
two), the drawer POPS OUT.  When you close the drawer, the lid drops
back down?

If this is totally not feasible, well, call it a blond moment...

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Clarification of Question by timespacette-ga on 04 Jan 2005 17:31 PST

cynthia, really . . . are you blonde?

(just kidding . . . but ARE you?)

I get the first part, but what would cause the lid to go down again
when the drawer closes?

(this is how great inventions are made! . . . and, no, Bryan, you
can't steal this patent! it's OURS!)

ts

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Clarification of Question by timespacette-ga on 04 Jan 2005 20:20 PST

oops! my hubby and I just figured it out!

I need to cancell this question!

like they always say, keep it simple, sweetheart!

ts

Guess I?d go about it by arranging pivoting rather than sliding. With
the pivot inside on the bottom of the front panel, a pull from the top
would swing it open at an angle to the floor. Arrange the stop just
beyond the fulcrum so it would stay open when opened and also allow
lift-out of the bin. There would be no lid as such, only a sealed
inner area and close fitting top and side panels to prevent haggis
jumping out. You could of course incorporate a sealing lid, pivoted at
it?s far inner edge which would rise at the front as the bin was
pulled open. No springs, no levers, and I like to deceive myself as
being honey-blonde.

That?d be fun to make.

Best

thanks guzzi, for that . . .

I have to cancell this question (see above)

but I appreciate your input . . . and, yes, the haggis, if it were
ever allowed into our house, would go right to the compost bucket . .
.

better yet, bury it DEEP in the back yard!

someday you will have to tell me where haggis come from . . . ?

ts